At this time a year ago, our feeling of normalcy tilted firmly toward trepidation of an unknown killer hitchhiking its way into our community — the novel coronavirus and the disease it causes, Covid-19, were arriving in the Loveliest Village.

Recently, I was watching TV and came across a fascinating program (at least it was to me) featuring people who choose —for whatever reason — to live off the grid in frozen Alaska.

A lot of people have fretted over Auburn’s proposed short-term rental (the “STR”) ordinance. Thus far, many people, particularly the majority of Auburn’s elected officials, have viewed the proposed ordinance as simply a means for bringing a noncompliant use into compliance, as a supplemental…

A renter’s perspective: When our daughter was an infant, my wife and I were invited to a friend’s wedding in Knoxville. We wanted to stay somewhere that had multiple rooms because our daughter was a light sleeper. We also needed to be close to downtown since that is where the wedding party a…

As I was preparing this week's conversation, I found out how treatment of some of the most dreadful diseases known to man are literally going to the dogs. 

“The most effective way to show compassion to another is to listen to them, rather than talk.”— Thich Nhat Hanh

The failure of the electrical power system in Texas, which left millions without heat and other necessities during very cold weather, is beyond awful. Why did this happen?

To this observer of the hours-long Feb. 16 Auburn City Council meeting, one Councilperson’s multi-part amendment (which was adopted) to the “Short-term Rental/Homestay Ordinance” looks like an eleventh-hour strategy to undermine the years of work done by the Planning Commission and the Task …

e careful where you step. There are lots of rabbit holes out there, and they are not easy to spot. 

fective vaccines against Covid-19 had been created in less than a year seemed miraculous — a triumph of science and American ingenuity. It took only six weeks to tarnish that image. Pride in the remarkable feat has been replaced by confusion, accusations of unfairness, frustrating waits and …

You might say we're living by the numbers. Here's more on what I'm talking about.

My husband and I have lived in Auburn for many years. It's a small, safe town we love, where our children grew up, where we had our careers, where we are enjoying our retirement. 

Do you want to make a difference by volunteering your time? Alabama Rural Ministry is providing another opportunity for volunteers to help rebuild the community through a mission service day. Let ARM help you and others render the cost of repairing homes who need your help the most. 

An Ordinance to regulate Short-Term Rentals comes before Auburn City Council on Feb. 16, the culmination of three-years' work by a Mayor's Task Force and Planning Commission entailing multiple meetings and versions, all with public input. I applaud the efforts of those involved in writing th…

Auburn City Council will hold a ‘work session’ Monday, February 8th to review the Planning Commission’s recommendation to approve Short-Term Rentals in family designated residential zoning districts and to allow an unlimited number of overnight guests. If Council approves the proposal next M…

Anyone who has hired a mechanic, electrician, financial advisor or Realtor knows that enlisting a professional with experience and expertise is often the most efficient use of our time and money. And, maybe even more importantly, consulting an expert offers valuable peace of mind. 

To Black Students, Faculty and Staff at Auburn University:

It is evident that Covid-19 is still circulating in our population. To date, the U.S. has recorded 8 million confirmed cases with 215,000 fatalities. This disease will not simply "go away" spontaneously. From data collected in Europe, Asia and in areas of our nation that infection reappears …

I’m confused.

   Don Eddins, in his article, is uncertain as to the legal status of the Roe v Wade decision allowing abortion on demand, and only during the first trimester, since Trump has nominated Judge Amy Coney Barrett as a replacement for Judge Ginsberg on the Supreme Court. Judge Barrett has previo…

We have been well served by infectious disease specialists affiliated to the NIH, major medical schools, and competent medical commentators. Unfortunately, as we approach the November election, political rhetoric and suspicions of undue pressure on both the FDA and the CDC have detracted fro…

September is Suicide Prevention Month and it's important that we be there for each other and take steps to prevent suicide. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention's theme for the month is to #KeepGoing, by taking simple actions to safeguard our mental health and save lives. From lear…

Regarding the face-mask controversy, almost all willingly wear clothing in public, which enables protection from such as mosquitoes, sunburn, indecent exposure charges, and maybe oglers. 

In an unreleased report, the CDC classifies Alabama as a Red State. This label has nothing to do with our well-deserved classification as a Red State politically. Rather, much more importantly, the classification means that Alabama has entered a stage of increased Covid virus cases that warr…

Everyone knows about the coronavirus pandemic, but does everyone grasp the importance of wearing a mask in public? Sadly, apparently not. 

In Richard Penaskovic's article: "Closing the gap between rich and poor," he makes four recommendations to accomplish this:

On the first Monday of June, Alabama commemorates Jefferson Davis’ birthday as an official state holiday. While this holiday may not directly impact our comings and goings that day, the notion of officially marking the birth of the president of a traitorous rebellion does not honor the value…

The horrendous costs in lives and jobs due to the coronavirus pandemic are devastating. On May 20, Johns Hopkins University reported U.S. deaths, due to coronavirus, were 91,938, and counting. Unemployment is rampant.

Dear Editor: 

On January 15, NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced the recent decade was the hottest ever recorded, caused largely by burning fossil fuels, which increases greenhouse gases (GHGs) in Earth’s atmosphere, leading to more disasters. While evidence of a global …

At the last meeting of the Auburn City Council, during the public comment session, a number of citizens came forward to express concern over the closing of HealthPlus, an Auburn landmark. News of the closing of this vital facility has been bouncing around for a couple weeks, and the hospital…

Thank you to all our amazing, brave men and women in uniform with the Auburn Police Division and Auburn Fire Division. This past year has been a very difficult and challenging time for our community, especially for each of you, but your commitment to our community has never waned or faltered…

This is a response to anarticle by Richard Penaskovic: “Global Climate Change, part two: Hope for the future,” The Auburn Villager, Nov. 7, 2019.

This is a response to the letter to the editor by David Newton in the Oct. 24 Auburn Villager titled “Must discuss climate change.”

Based on personal conversations, the recent extreme (hot, dry) weather in Alabama and the Southeast has caused more citizens to discuss climate change.

To the Editor:

I attended the Aug. 27 Auburn University Senate meeting to see if Interim President Jay Gogue would live up to his well-earned repute of rarely missing Senate meetings and taking questions from those present. I was not disappointed.

To the editor, The Auburn Villager:

To the Editor, The Villager: 

There is at least one factor common to the exodus of people of Central America to the U.S., the civil war in Syria, and the fleeing of residents of the Sahel in Africa to Europe. That factor is drought, which scientists report has been worsened by human caused climate change, resulting from …

I recently learned of plans in the works for a parking deck on College Street in the greenspace between the library and the Comer Hall parking lot and must admit that I felt physically ill. 

Auburn has seen three incidents of gun violence in less than a week.

During the mayoral candidate forum in August 2018, I questioned the candidates about how they felt about the 75-foot height in the College Edge Overlay District in the Urban Core.

Rarely do I disagree with my friend Richard Penaskovic, but I feel a duty to express reservations on some, although not all, of the points in his recent column (published Jan. 17 in The Villager) in opposition to President Trump’s proposal to withdraw U.S. troops from Syria.

Things learned since my massive stroke last year, that may help you prevent a stroke.

After reading David Housel's column in the Sept. 13 issue of The Villager, I couldn't help but reflect on my own Auburn football memories. And as David said, "Memories. Oh, those memories!"

The Affordable Care Act of 2010 does several important things for my family. Most importantly, it requires that insurance companies cover pre-existing conditions without charging so much for that coverage that no one can pay for it. This means that my grandchild, niece and nephews who have l…

I have read and agree with the letters to the editor supporting Ron Anders for Auburn mayor, including those from David Housel, County Commissioner Sheila Eckman and my favorite from Ron’s son, Josh Anders. 

The most important city election in many decades will be upon us shortly. Two weeks from this coming Tuesday we can determine our town’s future, but only if we are active participants in the process.