Articles written by Kendra Carter

Staff Opinion: A little something for everyone

wpolley — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 01:00:00 -0400

During a job interview a few weeks ago, a prospective employer asked me about my current hobbies and said I couldn’t count working for The Plainsman as one of them.

I quickly and wittily replied, “Of course not, because it’s not a hobby, it’s a way of life.”

The two interviewers in the room and I laughed because that statement is hilarious in the purest it’s-funny-because-it’s-completely-true kind of way.

When I get older and start looking back on my years at Auburn, I know what I’m going to remember most.

Grand jury will hear evidence in Burk case

wpolley — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 01:00:00 -0400

Preliminary hearing waived; gag order requested; grand jury convenes May 5

Courtney Lockhart, the man in custody for the murder of freshman Lauren Burk, waived his right to a preliminary hearing Wednesday; the grand jury will hear his case when it convenes early next month.

The preliminary hearing was scheduled for yesterday at 9 a.m. before the right was waived.

The probable cause hearing would determine whether or not there is probable cause to hold someone over for trial.

Stabbing victim improving

wpolley — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 01:00:00 -0400

Richard Straus, 20, who was stabbed during an altercation last Wednesday morning at The Edge apartment complex, is doing better after undergoing two surgeries to treat his injuries.

Straus, who is not a student at the University, underwent an initial surgery Wednesday afternoon but had to have a second surgery Friday to treat internal bleeding.

He could be released from East Alabama Medical Center as early as today.

After he’s released, he said he plans to spend time with his parents at their home in Columbus, Ga.

At UAB, tuition spikes to make up for state cuts

wpolley — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 05:00:00 -0400

What can Auburn students expect?

The University of Alabama System Board of Trustees: approved last week for tuition increases at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and University of Alabama. Jonathan Sutton / PHOTO STAFF

The University of Alabama System trustees voted Saturday to increase tuition for the medical schools at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and the College of Community Health and Sciences at the University of Alabama.

The tuition costs will increase 10 percent for the School of Optometry, 12 percent for the School of Medicine and 15 percent for the School of Dentistry at UAB, adding thousands of dollars to tuition costs.

These increases will go into effect in July.

“I wish we didn’t have to do it, but I feel it’s completely justified,” said university system trustee Peter Lowe. “We have to keep paying good professors and giving the students the best education.”

The University of Alabama trustee system is comprised of 16 members; two people from each congressional district, as well as Gov. Bob Riley and Joseph Morton, the state superintendent of education.

The increase was approved as a proactive measure in anticipation of state education funding reduction.

According to the Department of Finance, Riley’s education budget was approximately $6.7 billion.

Lockhart hearing set for April 23

wpolley — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 01:00:00 -0400

A probable cause hearing will be held for Courtney Lockhart Wednesday, April 23 at the Lee County Justice Center. This hearing will determine if a grand jury will hear the case.

Clifton Perry, a professor in political science, said a probable cause hearing determines whether there is probable cause to hold someone over for trial. Probable cause is defined as the reasonable belief a person has committed a crime.

“If (there’s) no probable cause, it’s just a waste of judicial energy,” Perry said.

Date Rape Drugs: while not common, still highly dangerous

wpolley — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 01:00:00 -0400

Name something both colorless and tasteless that can cause drowsiness, seizures and amnesia and could be an extreme health hazard if it’s ingested.

Date rape drugs are defined as drugs that are often used to assist in sexual assaults.

The physical effects of the drugs can leave a person unable to control their physical and mental faculties.

Three of the most common date rape drugs are GHB (gamma hydroxybutyric acid), Ketamine (ketamine hydrochloride) and Rohypnol (flunitrazepam).

State House, Senate plan aims to remove sales tax from groceries

wpolley — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 01:00:00 -0400

Joey Jones: senior in business, pays for his groceries at a self-checkout station. A new bill in the Legislature to remove sales tax from grocery purchases could go to Alabama citizens for a vote as soon as November 2008. Kyle Cooper / ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR

A new bill in the state Legislature could remove sales taxes from grocery items.

If the proposed bill passes the Legislature, it must then be approved by the citizens in a referendum vote.

Auburn ranked again for growth

wpolley — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 01:00:00 -0400

Once again, the Auburn-Opelika area is being recognized for its rapidly increasing size.

The U.S. Census Bureau released its list of the 100 fastest growing areas in the country earlier last month. The Auburn-Opelika area ranked 74th on the list.

The Web site Forbes.com named the Auburn-Opelika area one of the fastest-growing metro areas earlier this year.

“(Being recognized) speaks well for this community,” said Auburn City Councilman Dick Phelan.

And now, year 6

wpolley — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 01:28:44 -0400

Daily Reminder: ROTC students Ruth Yusckat, left, a freshman in pre-aerospace engineering, and Andrew Hardie, a junior in aerospace engineering raise the American and Alabama flags at sunrise by Samford Hall. Pete Riley / PHOTO EDITOR

In the past two weeks, the war effort in Iraq has reached two saddening milestones.

Last Tuesday, March 19, marked the fifth anniversary of the United States’ invasion of Iraq.

On Easter, the American death toll reached 4,000 after four soldiers were killed by a bomb in Baghdad.

According to the Associated Press, the U.S. citizens killed include soldiers, as well as eight civilians from the Defense Department.

“One day, people will look back at this moment in history and say, ‘Thank God there were courageous people willing to serve, because they laid the foundations for peace for generations to come’,” President Bush said during a meeting at the State Department Monday.

The lives lost aren’t the only rising costs of war.

According to an article published by The New York Times last Tuesday, Joseph E. Stiglitz, a Nobel-prize winning economist, estimates the long-term costs of the war total more than $4 trillion, while the Congressional Budget office and other analysts estimate $1 trillion to $2 trillion is a “more realistic” figure. The same article cites the Pentagon estimating the war costs totalling $600 billion.

“Every domestic program is suffering from the war in Iraq,” said Theodore Becker, a professor in political science.

Becker said the current military budget, which does not include the supplemental funding for the wars in Iraq or Afghanistan, is the highest it has been in history, taking away funding from other budgets, including education.

The reputation of the United States is being severely affected by the war.

Public opinion polls show the prestige of the United States is down.

Becker said the war isn’t the only factor, but is the central issue.

“World opinion is very anti-American and that is fueled by the invasion and occupation of Iraq,” Becker said.

Are you ready for $4 gas?

wpolley — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 01:10:05 -0400

Gas Prices: Experts are predicting gas prices could reach $4 per gallon by spring. Clay Ingram, public relations manager for AAA Alabama, said he thinks dramatic drops in prices will not occur until fall. Kyle Cooper / ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR

Gasoline and diesel fuel prices are steadily rising causing grocery prices to increase

When Alisha Hicks, a freshman in nutrition sciences, filled her Ford Mustang with gasoline on Sunday, she was in for a costly surprise.

“It cost $40 to fill up,” Hicks said. “I don’t understand why all of a sudden its going up.”

Fuel prices aren’t the only increasing costs in town. Grocery prices are also increasing because of the increased transportation costs.

According to an article published by The New York Times, experts are predicting gas prices to reach $4 per gallon by spring.

Diesel fuel prices are also reaching new heights. According to the article, diesel prices reached $3.60 a gallon Tuesday, Feb. 26; last year, the cost per gallon was $2.62.

“Typically, January and February are our lowest priced months because they’re the lowest demand months,” said Clay Ingram, public relations manager for AAA Alabama. “It’s a little concerning that we’re setting these record highs in February.”

Ingram said the costs at the pump are increasing because crude oil prices are rising.

Ingram said crude oil costs $103 per barrel, up more than $20 per barrel from cost estimates three weeks ago.

“Crude oil is going up because of events causing anxiety in the gasoline market,” Ingram said.