News in Opelika, AL

thestokesnews.com · Opelika, AL

As Best As I Remember: A Doctorate in useless information

Wednesday night, I couldn’t settle down.I was leaving Stokes County the next morning, headed back to Louisiana with my old high school buddy Lee following along. We had tickets to the LSU-Alabama football game on Saturday and the Cleveland Browns-New Orleans Saints game on Sunday.I hadn’t looked forward to a weekend quite like this in a long time.It felt like Christmas Eve.I’ve always considered myself something of an authority on useless sports information. I remember players, games, statistics, and obscure details that serve absolutely no practical purpose. I’ve often joked that if I could figure out how to monetize all that knowledge, I’d be a wealthy man.Then I started spending more time with Lee.If useless sports information were an academic discipline, Lee would have a doctorate. I’m still in kindergarten.Thursday evening, we stopped in Opelika, Alabama, to break up the drive.

Nearby reporting

Stories from surrounding communities, closest first.

Thomasville Times Enterprise · Columbus, GA

Nearby: Columbus, GA

Central Swim Team competes in Columbus

THOMASVILLE – Thomas County Central’s swim team had another successful meet, competing in the Blue Devil Invitational in Columbus last Saturday. Central finished fourth behind Starr’s Mill, Columbus, and McIntosh but ahead of 11 other teams. In the girls division, Kayla Bruce won the 100 freestyle and led the Lady Yellow Jackets individually. Central’s 200 freestyle relay team of Bruce, Abbie Love, Hannah Bilello and Lindsay Hinson finished third. Central’s girls finished fourth with 367 points. Central’s boys 400 freestyle relay team placed fourth, while Cain Childs and Sam Knight recorded top-eight finishes, highlighting the program’s younger talent. “Saturday was a great opportunity for our swimmers to compete against teams we don’t normally see. I was really proud of the way they stepped up,” Central swim coach Ashley Lanatta said. “We saw some strong swims, great effort and continued improvement across the team.

The Clayton Record · Fort Mitchell, AL

Nearby: Fort Mitchell, AL

JAMES JOHNSON

JAMES “JIM” HENRY JOHNSON Mr. James “Jim” Henry Johnson, a resident of Clayton, Alabama, passed away Monday, November 2, 2026, at his residence. He was 81 years old. Funeral services will be held on Monday, November 9, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. in the Glover Funeral Home Chapel in Eufaula with Michael Canfield and Dr. Scott Thompson officiating. A visitation will be held from 10:00-10:45 a.m. prior to the service. In lieu of flowers memorial donations can be made to the VFW Post 5850- 1556 N. Eufaula Ave. Eufaula, Alabama 36027 Graveside services with military honors will be held Tuesday, November 10, 2026, at 12:30 p.m. EST at Fort Mitchell National Cemetery in Fort Mitchell, Alabama with Glover Funeral Home & Crematory of Eufaula directing. Jim was born on December 27, 1944, to the late Gilbert Condra and Gladys Helen Kent Johnson. He was a veteran of the United States Air Force where he served 3 tours in Vietnam. Jim was known as a true patriot and loved his country.