If you’ve lived around the Chattahoochee long enough, you know this place doesn't do "quiet" very often. Between the constant construction hum and the high-stakes world of 7A football, keeping up with phenix city al news can feel like a full-time job. Honestly, it's a lot. Right now, we’re looking at a massive shakeup in local sports leadership, a major technical headache at City Hall, and a looming change to how every single person here uses their phone.
It’s not just the usual small-town chatter. We are seeing real, structural shifts that affect everything from your morning commute on Gateway Drive to how you’ll dial a pizza place next month.
The End of an Era for Central High Football
Let's talk about the bombshell that dropped just a few days ago. Patrick Nix is stepping down. If you follow the Red Devils, this isn't just "news"—it’s a tectonic shift. Nix has been the architect of a powerhouse program for six years, hauling in a 65-14 record and a 2023 state title.
He’s leaving for the ministry.
People are surprised, but maybe they shouldn't be. Nix has always been vocal about his faith, and while he’s not "retiring" in the permanent sense, he's moving into full-time discipleship with his family’s non-profit, AIRO. It leaves a massive vacuum at Central High. Principal Chris Lindsey has a tough road ahead finding someone who can maintain that 7A dominance while keeping the "culture" Nix built.
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That Technical Glitch at City Hall is Real
You might have noticed things are a bit wonky if you've tried to pay a bill or look up a permit recently. Phenix City has been dealing with a legitimate system outage. It wasn't a hack, thankfully. It was a "Munis ERP software upgrade failure." Basically, the city tried to update its brain, and the brain rejected the transplant.
As of mid-January 2026, several online services are still touch-and-go. The IT teams are working with Tyler Technologies to get the computer systems back to 100%. If you're trying to get a business license or check a building permit, you might want to call the old-fashioned way instead of relying on the portal for a few more days.
Phenix City AL News: The Road Closures You Need to Know
Driving through Phenix City right now requires a bit of patience and maybe a GPS that updates in real-time. Public Works is busy.
- Gateway Drive: This is the big one. As of January 12, a section between U.S. 431 and 8th Place South is shut down for stormwater pipe repairs. It’s a mess during rush hour.
- South Railroad Street: Emergency utility repairs have closed the stretch between 17th Avenue and 14th Court. This one was "effective immediately," so it caught a lot of people off guard.
- 24th Street and 21st Avenue: Alabama Power is swapping out poles here. It’s scheduled to wrap up around January 16, but keep an eye out for lingering crews.
It’s easy to complain about the detours. But honestly, with the storms we've had lately, that stormwater work on Gateway is probably the only thing keeping some of those basements dry.
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The 483 Overlay: Why Your 7-Digit Dialing is Dying
This is the phenix city al news that's going to annoy everyone equally. Starting January 23, 2026, 10-digit dialing is mandatory. You can’t just dial seven digits anymore. Even if you're calling your neighbor next door, you have to include the 334.
Why? Because we’re running out of numbers. The Alabama Public Service Commission approved a new "483" area code that will overlay the existing 334 region.
You’ve got until February 23 to make sure your medical alerts, gate systems, and alarm monitors are reprogrammed. If they’re set to dial 7 digits, they will fail. It’s a minor thing until your security system can’t call out in an emergency. Get on that now.
Safety and Crime: What's Actually Happening?
It’s been a heavy start to the year. On January 4, Phenix City police responded to a crash on Fourth Avenue near 20th Street. A black sedan hit a power pole, but the twist was the "shots heard" reports from neighbors. Police are currently investigating the link between the gunfire and the wreck.
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More recently, a shooting suspect is facing additional attempted murder warrants following an incident that has local law enforcement on high alert. It’s a reminder that while the city is growing, it still faces the same "big city" problems as our neighbors across the river in Columbus.
Actionable Steps for Phenix City Residents
Staying informed is one thing, but actually dealing with these changes is another. Here is what you should do this week:
- Update Your Contacts: Spend ten minutes adding "334" to any local numbers in your phone before the January 23 deadline.
- Check Your Security Systems: Call your alarm or medical alert provider. Ask them specifically if your equipment is "10-digit compliant." Do not wait until February.
- Plan Your Commute: If you usually take Gateway Drive to get to U.S. 431, start leaving 10 minutes earlier. The detour is adding significant lag time during the morning school run.
- Monitor the City Portal: Before you head down to 14th Street to pay a bill, check the city’s official site to see if the Munis system is back online. It’ll save you a trip.
- Keep an Eye on Central High: The search for a new head coach is going to be the talk of the town. Expect an announcement before spring practice begins.
Phenix City is in a state of transition. Whether it's the area code on your phone or the coach on the sidelines, the "old way" of doing things is shifting. Keeping up with the latest updates ensures you aren't the one stuck in a detour or wondering why your phone calls won't go through.