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El Niño weather results in warmer December

It's December, and people can wear shorts outside. With temperatures in the 70s, the country seems to be experiencing an unusually warm winter.

Auburn demolishes Brevard College in exhibition opener

When the sneakers hit the hardwood in the Auburn Arena for the first in-game action of 2015, there was no shortage of new faces on the floor for the Auburn basketball team.

Highest beam of video board placed

From anywhere on campus, a towering structure can be seen protruding from the south end zone of Jordan-Hare stadium. An official rendering of the largest video board in college athletics was released by Auburn Athletics Monday night, June 23. 

Cyclist pedal for emergency relief at Bo Bikes Bama event

The scene in front of the Auburn Arena was ecstatic and full of energy early Saturday morning, May 2, for Bo Bikes Bama.

UPDATE: Tornado watch issued for Lee County canceled, more severe weather expected

Update 10:28 a.m.: The National Weather Service has canceled the tornado watch for Lee County.

tornado watch 4-19-15

Tornado shelters are built in Newbern to protect people from tornadoes at the Rural Studios. (Contributed by Chance Corbett) 

Spinning into action: University prepares for tornado season

Transitioning into the springtime, pollen isn’t the only thing expected in Alabama. As tornado season approaches, Auburn University Emergency Management lays out its severe weather procedures.

Spinning into Motion with Tornado Preparedness

UPDATE: Severe Thunderstorm Watch for Lee County canceled

UPDATE 9:34 p.m.: The National Weather Service has canceled the Severe Thunderstorm Watch for Lee County. There is a chance for severe weather on Wednesday, April 1 and Friday, April 3. according to the weather service.

Tornado watch 12-23-14

UPDATED: Tornado Watch for Lee County canceled

Updated Dec. 23 9:50 p.m.: The National Weather Service has canceled the Tornado Warning for Lee County. A Flash Flood Watch remains in effect until 6 a.m. Dec. 24. _________________________________________ Updated Dec. 23, 3 p.m.: The National Weather Service has issued a Tornado Watch for most of central and east Alabama, including Lee County, until 11 p.m. According to the weather service, conditions are favorable for the development of tornadoes and severe thunderstorms. The current forecast from the weather service includes the chance for severe weather for east Alabama until midnight. _________________________________________ Severe storms and flooding are possible, as severe weather will move through the Auburn area Tuesday, Dec. 23. The National Weather Service issued a flash flood watch for Lee County Monday afternoon, Dec. 22, as rain began to move into the Auburn area. The watch expires at 6 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 24. "Average rainfall amounts of 2 to 3 inches are expected Tuesday through early Wednesday morning," the weather service said in the flash flood watch bulletin. "Localized higher amounts of up to 4 inches cannot be ruled out from thunderstorms moving repeatedly over the same areas." The weather service said in a hazardous weather outlook the greatest threat from the weather will be large amounts of rain, but an isolated tornado or severe thunderstorm cannot be ruled out. According to the weather service, the greatest chance for severe weather will be from 1 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 23, to 3 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 24. This story will be updated as more develops.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Miscommunication in Iron Bowl chanting

I wanted to speak about the chanting at the Iron Bowl.

UPDATED: Lee County Tornado Watch canceled

A Tornado Watch issued for Lee County has been canceled. The National Weather Service previously issued a Tornado Watch for Lee County at 12:35 p.m. valid until 7 p.m. After a line of thunderstorms moved through Lee County, the National Weather Service canceled the warning. The Lee County Emergency Management Agency said on their Facebook page residents should still use cation while driving due to numerous reports of trees and power lines down. Check back with the Plainsman as more develops.

tornado watch 11-23

Paws For A Cause Walk for breast cancer awareness this Friday

Dog lovers are always looking for places to go with their furry friends, and now there is an opportunity for owner and pet to both get exercise, while helping the community. The Omega Tau Sigma coed professional veterinary fraternity is hosting "Paws for a Cause Walk for Breast Cancer," on October 24, from 4:30-7:00 p.m. The event will be located in Kiesel Park. "We got the idea because it was breast cancer awareness month as well as adopt a shelter dog month," said Tina Leasor, junior in veterinary school and one of the coordinators of the event. The event is a 5k walk or run, with activities beforehand for both owners and pets. OTS is working with veterinary suppliers and food companies for the event including Dechra, Hill's, SCAVMA, Purina and AVESS, the veterinary school's own business. They have also paired up with Leigh Clark, a masseuse from Better Bodies in Opelika, to make sure no one is sore after the event. "I figured I could serve a dual purpose," Clark said. "I could help the dogs and the people feel better after the dog walk." Clark will be giving out massages for free throughout the whole event. She will have a massage chair and a sign in sheet if anyone wants more information. "It's for breast cancer, and that hits very close to home for my family," Clark said. "I think when you have a skill and a business in town you need to give back when you can." Before the walk, The American Veterinary Medical Association will be giving out gift baskets and other objects in a raffle. The first 100 people to sign up will get a free gift, which is a breast cancer pin, Leasor said. Laurie LeMonds, junior in veterinary medicine, helped Leasor come up with the idea for the event. "We've been wanting to do more philanthropic work for the community for quite some time," LeMonds said. "It's been quite a challenge because we've had difficulties within the chapter and then we had the tornado a few years ago that hit the house that we still are in the process of trying to rebuild." Because of this, their community service efforts have been declining in the past few years, and they wanted to give back to the community. All of the proceeds made at the event are going to breast cancer research, LeMonds said. "My mother had breast cancer (and) survived it," LeMonds said. "Students here (are) going through the same scenario." They ask that only dogs that are on leashes and have current vaccinations attend. Admission is a $20 donation, or $10 with a student ID; including student ID's from Tuskegee, who also has a veterinary school. "After the 5k we'll have a dog washing station for anybody who's dog gets a little rambunctious," Leasor said. Clark says that she hopes that the event is able to raise money and awareness for breast cancer. "It's a growing interest and funding research for a good cause, " LeMonds said.

tornado watch 10-13

tornado watch 10-13

UPDATED: Tornado Watch issued for Lee County until 6 a.m.

11 p.m.: The National Weather Service issued a Tornado Watch for several eastern Alabama counties, including Lee County, valid until 6 a.m. Tuesday. A tornado watch means conditions are favorable for tornadoes and severe thunderstorms in the watch area, according to the National Weather Service. 2:40p.m.: According to the National Weather Service, there's possible severe weather in Auburn from today at 11 p.m. - tomorrow at 8 a.m. Severe weather can include "brief tornado or two," stated the National Weather Service. "The potential for two rounds of severe weather, including damaging straight-line winds and tornadoes exist through at least Tuesday morning," NWS stated in a weather report. "First, through the afternoon and evening hours, isolated discrete supercells capable of producing tornadoes will be possible west of Troy to Rockford to Ragland line. This activity will spread North through the early evening hours." Check back on ThePlainsman.com and our social media accounts for severe weather updates.

Peach Festival to be held July 19

Trinity Lutheran Church will hold its annual Peach Festival July 19. The festival, in its 22nd year, will sell Chilton County peaches, as well as peach cobblers and pies, in the church's fellowship hall from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Patricia Schroer, chairman of the Peach Festival for the past two years, said Norman and Hazel Klase, longtime members of Trinity Lutheran, began the festival as a community outreach project. All of the peaches used at the festival come from the church's grower in Chilton County, and all the cobblers and pies sold are completely homemade, using the same recipe every year. The festival, normally in conjunction with the church's Peach Fun Run, was delayed this year because of a late freeze in Chilton that postponed the peach season. Forty-seven people participated in the run, despite the festival's delay. According to Schroer, a couple of weeks ago, 27 people made more than 100 pie crusts that were then frozen and will be thawed, filled and baked the week before the festival. Schroer said the people who helped ranged from those who made pies for years to those who never picked up a rolling pin. The peaches for the cobblers and pies will be peeled the week leading up to the Peach Festival with the help of members of greater Auburn and Trinity Lutheran communities. Mary Zellmer, a member of Trinity Lutheran, said she loves the camaraderie and companionship that goes into putting on the festival, as well as connecting with the Auburn community the day of the festival. Allan Hudspith, pastor of Trinity Lutheran for four years, said the festival has two goals for outreach: interacting with members of the church community while preparing for the festival and meeting community members who attend. The proceeds of the Peach Festival are given on a three-year cycle to local, national and international charities and are approximately $2,000 each year. In the past, proceeds were given to Alabama Rural Ministries and were sent as tornado relief to Tuscaloosa in 2011. Last year, the funds were used to purchase mosquito nets that would help prevent malaria in southern Africa. This year, all money raised will be split between two local needs: the East Alabama Food Bank and Women's Hope Medical Clinic. Schroer, who never had a Chilton County peach until she moved to Alabama, believes "having had them from other places, the taste of Chilton County peaches is much better," even better than Georgia peaches. Zellmer echoed her praise of the peaches and said," I don't think there's any peach better than a Chilton County peach." Hudspith, who enjoys the feeling of community that comes from peeling the fresh peaches, said, "Not only are the peaches good, it's great fun being together." Prices for the festival are as follows: whole pies, $8; slices of pie, $2; whole cobbler, $10; serving of cobbler, $2; a half-peck of peaches, $7.50; and a peck of peaches, $15.