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(05/27/15 10:37pm)
Fences encircled the historic intersection of College Street and Magnolia Avenue as construction for the renovation of Toomer’s Corner began Monday, May 11.
(05/27/15 10:35pm)
The Toomer’s Corner intersection will close for this summer starting May 11, but businesses will remain open.
(05/27/15 10:36pm)
A new Auburn High School became one step closer to reality after votes approved a $78 million bond issue from Auburn’s 5-mill fund Tuesday, April 28.
(05/27/15 10:39pm)
Thousands turned out for Auburn Airwaves on Saturday, April 18, but not all left happy.
(12/23/15 5:26pm)
A new six-story development is in the works outside the apartment moratorium boundary.
(09/21/15 10:22pm)
A change in location and jurisdiction for the 50th annual Alpha Psi Rodeo in 2015 brought an increase in the number of arrests at the event compared to 2014.
(05/27/15 10:38pm)
Hundreds of students from public universities across Alabama came to Montgomery to urge lawmakers for more funding for higher education Thursday, April 9.
(09/21/15 10:26pm)
Former Councilman Arthur Dowdell still contends Councilman Clemon Byrd was not eligible to run for his seat in Ward 1.
(12/23/15 5:20pm)
Defense attorneys for Alabama Speaker Mike Hubbard (R-Auburn) want the 23 ethics violation charges dismissed.
(03/09/16 12:37am)
It was a hot and muggy summer day in 1964 in a small Georgia town outside of Atlanta.
(03/08/15 4:42pm)
Alabama State Troopers beat, gassed and trampled civil rights activists as they crossed the Edmund Pettus Bridge on March 7, 1965.
(09/21/15 10:23pm)
Prosecutors revealed the first bits of evidence against Alabama House Speaker Mike Hubbard in a filing with Lee County Circuit Court on Friday, Feb. 27.
(12/21/15 8:03pm)
Justin and Shawn Williams of Salem, decided they would be trailblazers as they walked up to Lee County Courthouse on Monday, Feb. 9, planning to get their marriage license after being together for seven years.
(12/24/15 6:55pm)
The judge who struck down Alabama's same-sex marriage ban made it clear that her ruling will apply to all Alabama state officials.
U.S. District Judge Callie V.S. Granade clarified her ruling on Jan. 28 after the Alabama Probate Judges Association issued a statement advising probate judges that the ruling did not apply to them.
Granade placed a stay on her Jan. 23 ruling that declared Alabama's same-sex marriage ban unconstitutional to allow the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to hear the case on appeal.
The appeals court has until Feb. 9 to extend the stay.
If the court does not extend the stay, Alabama officials must issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples.
"The Judgment in this case makes it clear that (Alabama's laws banning same-sex marriage) are unconstitutional because they violate the Due Process Clause and the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment," Granade said in her ruling.
Granade ruled in favor of Cari Searcy and Kimberly McKeand, who were married in California, according to court documents.
Searcy and McKeand sued Alabama to allow Searcy to adopt McKeand's 8-year-old-son after their petition to the Mobile County Probate Court was denied, according court documents.
"If anything, Alabama's prohibition of same-sex marriage detracts from its goal of promotion optimal environments for children," Granade said.
Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange immediately filed a motion to stay, which was granted Sunday, Jan. 25.
Alabama Speaker Mike Hubbard, who represents Auburn in the Alabama State Legislature, said in a statement on his Facebook page the Legislature will defend "Christian conservative values" and encourage a vigorous appeals process.
"It is outrageous when a single unelected and unaccountable federal judge can overturn the will of millions of Alabamians who stand in firm support of the Sanctity of Marriage Amendment," Hubbard said.
The Alabama Probate Judges Association issued a statement Saturday, Jan 24, declaring they would not issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples.
"The legal effect of this decision is to allow one person in one same sex marriage that was performed in another state to adopt their partner's child," said Al Agricola, attorney for the Alabama Probate Judges Association, in the statement. "There is nothing in the judge's order that requires probate judges in Alabama to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples."
A joint statement was issued Sunday, Jan 25, by Equality Alabama, Human Rights Campaign, the American Civil Liberties Union and the Southern Poverty Law Center that said the Alabama Probate Judges Association is wrong.
"Probate judges should comply with their constitutional obligations as declared by a federal court rather than the desires of the leaders of a private professional organization," the statement read.
Read Granade's ruling and stay order below:
(08/13/15 6:40pm)
Desmonte Leonard will spend the rest of his life in prison after Lee County Judge Jacob A. Walker sentenced him to life without parole Tuesday, Jan. 20.
Leonard was found guilty of capital murder in the 2012 shooting deaths of Ed Christian, Ladarious Phillips and Demario Pitts on Oct. 7, 2014. The jury recommended life in prison.
Walker said he has overrode jury's recommendations in the past because there were circumstances jurors didn't know about.
"In this case, I don't believe there was anything submitted to me that was not submitted to the jury," Walker said.
Before the sentence was given out, Leonard addressed the court.
"I just want to say that I apologize from the bottom of my heart for the people who were killed," Leonard said, "and to those who lost love ones, and even to those who were injured."
Walker also sentenced Leonard to life in prison for the attempted murder of DeAngleo Benton and Turquorius Vines.
Leonard also received 10 years for the second-degree assault of Xavier Moss and Eric Mack and 20 years for the first-degree assault of John Robertson.
Two family members of victims addressed the court.
Barbara Pitts, Demario Pitts' grandmother, was called to the stand first.
"The only thing I want to say today is Demario has two kid too that he'll never get to see again," Barbara said.
Carlton Christian, Ed Christian's cousin, said his cousin was like a brother to him.
"Because of one person's actions, I will never get to tell him happy birthday again," Carlton said.
Susan James, Leonard's defense attorney, said they were thankful and relieved Walker did not overrule the jury.
"Emotionally, you know, you're just drained at this point because of the anticipation of what could happen," James said. "While life without parole is obviously a very serious matter, at least his life has been spared."
James said the next step for the defense is to file a motion for a new trial, and, if that is denied, they will appeal the case.
Lee County District Attorney Robbie Treese said Walker followed the law exactly as he was supposed to.
"The other sentences as well, which everyone tends to forget, are also significant," Treese said. "As all of us, I would've much prefer this [crime] never had happened, that the judge never be put in the position of having to make these choices."
Treese said the victims' families handled the case with honor and grace.
"It's never easy for anybody involved in this kind of circumstance," Treese said. "I'm proud to have known them. I'm just sad under the circumstances that I had to get to know them."
(12/24/15 6:55pm)
Students will have to go back to hailing a cab after Uber announced it will no longer operate in Auburn. The suspension of operations comes after the City Council passed an ordinance Jan. 6 requiring all vehicle for hire services to pay licensing fees to the city, provide background checks for drivers, have commercial insurance and have cars marked with signage. In a letter sent out to Auburn Uber users, Uber said it's temporarily suspending operations in Auburn while it works toward a statewide regulatory framework for ridesharing. "We simply will not operate under regulations that do not allow us to provide riders a positive rider experience and offer drivers the best economic opportunities," Uber said in the letter. Uber noted in the letter it conducts "multi-layered" background checks and has a $1 million commercial insurance policy. "The Auburn City Council rushed through burdensome regulations that don't make sense for this new option, and make it impossible for ridesharing to exist in the city," Uber said. Carla Jacobs, a representative of Uber, spoke to the City Council at a Dec. 16, 2014 meeting and asked the Council to table the ordinance to allow Uber to negotiate with city. Jacobs said the insurance requirements in the ordinance would prevent Uber from operating in Auburn. Charles Duggan, Auburn city manager, said the insurance requirements in the ordinance are similar to requirements in Seattle, where Uber operates legally. "I don't know why (the insurance requirements) would keep them out the market," Duggan said. The City Council tabled the ordinance until Jan. 6. The ordinance that passed on Jan. 6 was unchanged from the one read at the Dec. 16 meeting. David Dorton, director of public affairs for Auburn, said the city has been working with Uber for six months. "It's their business decision to leave," Dorton said. "We hope they'll see the value in the market." Dorton said Uber chose to leave Auburn even though local drivers have already gone through the licensing process. "The way you book the ride is innovative, a good innovation," Dorton said. "But a car on the road providing a vehicle for hire service is a very traditional service and that's where the rules apply."
(12/20/15 4:13pm)
The man accused of killing Jakell Mitchell will now face a grand jury for the charge of murder.
A preliminary hearing for Markale Hart was held in a Lee County courtroom Tuesday, Jan. 13.
Prosecutors presented enough evidence for Judge Steven T. Speakman to find probable cause to send the case to a grand jury as a murder charge.
Hart's defense attorney argued the charge should be downgraded to manslaughter when it was revealed Mitchell might have also fired a weapon in the early morning hours of Dec. 14.
During Hart's preliminary hearing, it was revealed by Auburn police detective Dustin Holt that Mitchell likely fired a gun at Hart.
Holt said during a party at the Tiger Lodge apartment complex, Tyrone Rowe, who was at the party with Hart, got into an altercation with Mitchell. Hart then opened fire on Mitchell.
Police recovered a .45 caliber handgun from the scene.
Hart's defense attorney, Jerry Blevins, asked Holt who fired the .45 caliber handgun and after objections from Abercrombie, which Speakman overruled, Holt answered.
"I believe that Mr. Mitchell was in possession of that (.45 caliber) firearm," Holt said.
Blevins said the police have withheld details to make Hart look bad.
"I'm appalled by how law enforcement has tried to manipulate details and hide [information] from the media," Blevins said. "I've never known the Auburn PD to conduct themselves like this."
Capt. Lorenza Dorsey of APD responded to Blevins.
"The Auburn Police Division's only release of information regarding Markale Hart was the announcement of his arrest on December 14, 2014," Dorsey said. "No specifics of Hart's or Mr. Mitchell's actions were released."
Dorsey said all subsequent information the media has published has been the result of information revealed in public hearings and open court proceedings.
"We have handled this case just as we have any other," Dorsey said.
Mitchell was the third Auburn football player killed at Tiger Lodge.
In 2012, Auburn football players Eric Christian and Ladarious Phillips, along with DeMario Pitts of Opelika, were killed in a shooting at Tiger Lodge, known then as University Heights.
Desmonte Leonard was found guilty of capital murder from the 2012 shooting and will be sentenced Jan. 20.
Tiger Lodge announced new security measures Dec. 18 and released a letter Dec. 29 about the formation of a resident task force to open lines of communication between residents and management.
For some residents, that is not enough.
Drake Ledet, sophomore in pre-med and a resident of Tiger Lodge, said he wants out of his lease.
Ledet said, before the shooting, he'd only seen the security guard once, sitting at the complex's clubhouse.
Ledet said he had just gotten home from work and finished eating a late dinner on the night of the shooting.
According to Ledet there were two large parties happening near his building in Tiger Lodge that night.
"The shooting happened pretty quickly," Ledet said. "I would say it was over within five or six seconds."
Ledet said he went outside to see what happened.
"I ran to the back of the apartment toward the parking lot where the shooting took place and heard screams like I have never heard before -- screams of terror," Ledet said.
Ledet said recent events at Tiger Lodge had made him feel unsafe.
Ledet claimed neighbors would stand out on their balcony waving guns in the air and would walk around the pool area with guns.
Ledet said his neighbors were robbed two days before the shooting in their own apartment when a man climbed onto the balcony and forced his way in their apartment at gunpoint.
Capt. Lorenza Dorsey confirmed a burglary and robbery was reported at Tiger Lodge Dec. 12, but no more details could be released because the incident was under investigation.
At Hart's Dec. 15 arraignment, Lee County District Attorney Robert Treese said he would look into having Tiger Lodge declared a public nuisance.
"Enough is enough," Treese said.
Ledet said when he went to the office with his roommates to ask about getting out of their lease Dec. 15, Aryne Linder, acting property manager, dismissed them out of hand.
"When we brought that up, she said, 'This conversation is over,'" Ledet said.
However, Ledet said at the residents' meeting that night, Tiger Lodge management would look at leases on a case-by-case basis.
In a letter posted on Tiger Lodge's Facebook page Dec. 17, Linder said Tiger Lodge will be making changes to their security, including hiring a new security company.
"We know this has been a very difficult time for everyone, and we want to reassure you that we are moving quickly to address issues raised by you and other residents and parents," Linder said in the letter.
Mark Evans, public relations manager for Tiger Lodge, said the apartment complex is working to improve communication between residents and management.
"We're really encouraging our residents, if you see something that concerns you, call us," Evans said. "It's kind of like, if you see something, say something."
Evans added another resident meeting will be held in February once the resident task force is in place.
Ledet said he is ready to move away.
"You try to keep yourself away from this stuff, but then it comes to you," Ledet said.
(12/24/15 6:55pm)
Former Auburn football player Jakell Mitchell and Markale Hart exchanged gunfire the night Mitchell was killed, an Auburn police detective told a Tallapoosa court.
Capt. Lorenza Dorsey confirmed Auburn police Detective Dustin Holt said in a probation revocation hearing for Hart on Jan. 12 that Mitchell fired a weapon the night he was killed.
"One thing we want to make clear is through the course of the investigation, probable cause was established that Mr. Hart shot and killed Mr. Mitchell," Dorsey said.
Mark Treadwell, Hart's attorney for the revocation hearing, said Hart was running away from Mitchell when the shooting occurred.
"There was an exchange of gunfire between the two," Treadwell said.
Mitchell was killed in a shooting at the Tiger Lodge apartment complex Dec. 14.
Hart has been charged for the murder of Mitchell. His preliminary is Jan. 13 at 2 p.m. in Lee County.
(12/24/15 6:56pm)
Harvey Updyke will stay out of jail for another month. According to the Tuscaloosa News, Updyke has paid the $350 that Lee County Judge Jacob A. Walker ordered he must pay to avoid arrest. Updyke must make another $350 payment by Feb. 11 or a warrant will be issued for his arrest. In December, Walker found Updyke in willful contempt of court for failing to make regular payments. Updyke pleaded guilty to poisoning the Oaks at Toomer's Corner and was ordered to pay $800,000 in restitution to Auburn University. The Plainsman reported on Sept. 10, Updyke had only paid $99 to the University. New live oaks will be planted at Toomer's Corner on Feb. 14.
(07/28/15 3:03pm)
Auburn University ranked fifth in forcible sexual acts reported on campus among SEC schools, according to a compilation of annual crime and safety reports released by universities in compliance with the Clery Act.
The 1986 rape and murder of freshman Jeanne Clery in her Lehigh University dorm led to Congress passing the Clery Act in 1990.
The Clery Act requires universities to publish their crime statistics Oct. 1 every year.
In the past three years, the number of reported forcible sexual acts has increased from an average of five in 2011 to an average of 9.36 in 2012.
A forcible sexual act is any sex act that occurs without both parties' consent, according to the Auburn University Annual Security and Fire Safety Report.
Auburn disclosed 12 forcible sexual acts on campus, up from two reported in 2011 and 2012.
Vanderbilt University topped the category for the past three years with 17 forcible sexual acts reported in 2013, 13 reported in 2012 and 12 reported in 2011.
Across all 14 SEC schools, there were 131 reported forcible sexual acts in 2013.
Paul Register, chief of the Auburn Police Division, said although the police reported two sexual assaults at off-campus locations, no reports of on-campus sexual assaults came from the Police Division.
"The reports could be second or third hand information reported to a Campus Security Authority," Register said.
Register added Campus Security Authorities are not always members of law enforcement under the Clery Act.
"They could be anyone in a position of authority that can take a report from a student, including, staff and professors," Register said.
A rise in the statistic may be because of an increase in people coming forward, according to Susan McCallister, associate director with Auburn University's Department of Public Safety and Security.
"We've really worked hard with students to get more people coming forward," McCallister said.
National attention about sexual assaults on campuses and increased education on consent, sexual assault response and bystander intervention may have also helped increase awareness, according to McCallister.
McCallister also encouraged any victims of crimes immediately to call police by dialing 911.
"Victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking are also encouraged to contact Safe Harbor to connect with advocates who can provide support and information on numerous resources available on and off campus for survivors," McCallister said.
According to Elizabeth Stone, communications specialist for Safe Harbor, Health Promotion and Wellness Services, the organization puts on training programs for sexual assault prevention for new students during Camp War Eagle and manages Auburn's Safe Harbor program.
"No sexual assault number is acceptable," Register said.
Other crime statistics were disclosed in the reports, such as the number of alcohol and drug-related arrests.
Auburn reported 22 alcohol violations that led to an arrest and 295 alcohol violations that went before Student Conduct.
Auburn also reported 33 drug-related arrests on campus putting it in the 11th spot in that category.
Kentucky reported 108 drug-related arrests, giving it the highest spot in the SEC.
Vanderbilt had 153 drug violations going before student discipline and 13 reported drug-related arrests.
New to the 2013 Clery reports was the addition of the categories for domestic violence, dating violence and stalking.
Alabama disclosed 10 reports of dating violence, the highest in the SEC, while Auburn, Arkansas, South Carolina, Tennessee and Mississippi State reported no instances of dating violence.
The University of Mississippi reported a "not available" instead of a figure.
Auburn had the sixth-highest reports of domestic violence with five.
University of Kentucky and University of Missouri tied at third with 11 reports each of domestic violence.
Auburn had the sixth-highest reports of domestic violence, tying at third with 11 domestic violence reports each.