Community

Auburn-Opelika metro maintains lowest unemployment rate in Alabama

By Chip Brownlee | Community Reporter | January 12

The unemployment rate rose slightly for the Auburn-Opelika metropolitan area in statistics released for November 2015. The increase was likely because an increase in workforce participation, according to Labor Department officials. In a report released in late December by the Alabama Department of Labor, Auburn-Opelika's unemployment rate rose from 4.5 to 4.7 percent. Nearly 100 new workers entered the workforce during the time period, nearly a 1 percent increase from October.

'STAR' IDs will soon be required to fly domestically without a passport

By Chip Brownlee | Community Reporter | January 11

If you take a look at your driver's license and you do not see a golden star adorned on its top-left corner, you should be prepared to head to your local driver's license office to get a new STAR ID for the new year. A STAR ID, which stands for Secure, Trusted and Reliable, will be required to enter federally restricted buildings.

Man shot and killed on Saturday

By Staff Report | January 11

A man was shot and killed at the 400 block of Webster Road on Saturday, Jan. 9, according to a news release issued by the Auburn Police Division. APD responded to a shots fired call at approximately 3:40 p.m.

Hubbard's attorneys file motion to leave ethics case

By Jim Little | Editor-in-Chief | January 8

Hubbard’s attorney, Mark White, requested his law firm, White Arnold & Dowd, be allowed to withdraw from the case in a motion filed under seal Thursday, Dec. 31, in the Lee County Circuit Court.

Hubbard spends $38,000 in campaign funds on corruption trial legal fees

By Chip Brownlee | Community Reporter | January 8

The Auburn Republican spent far less in 2015 than in 2014, a year during which his campaign sponsored nearly $300,000 of his legal fees.

Attorneys in Hubbard's ethics trial banned from talking to the media

By Jim Little | Editor-in-Chief | January 8

Judge Jacob A. Walker issued a gag order during a hearing at the Lee County Justice Center on Friday, Jan. 8.

Gov. Bentley files suit against federal government

By Staff Report | January 7

Gov. Robert Bentley announced today that he has filed a lawsuit against the federal government for noncompliance with the Refugee Act of 1980, according to a news release from the governor's office. The act states that the federal government must consult the state government about placing refugees before refugees before they are placed in that state.

Sen. Shelby criticizes Obama over gun policy during Auburn campaign stop

By Jim Little | Editor-in-Chief | January 6

U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby criticized President Barack Obama recent executive actions on guns as another example of presidential overreach during a campaign stop at the Auburn Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday, Jan. 6.

Gay Street parking deck redevelopment gets its first green light from the Auburn City Council

By Chip Brownlee | Community Reporter | January 6

The Auburn City Council approved a term sheet for plans to redevelop the North Gay Street parking deck and the surrounding lot into a hotel, an urban grocery, a retail development and a larger public parking deck.

Alabama chief justice orders probate judges to stop issuing same-sex marriage licenses

By Maria McIlwain | Community Editor | January 6

Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore issued an order today ordering probate judges not to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples.

'Last Call' as the War Eagle Supper Club closes

By Maria McIlwain | Community Editor | January 1

Despite the smiles and shouts of "War Eagle" above the din of a festive atmosphere, a sadness hung in the air because, for many, this was the last time they would set foot in a 78-year-old Auburn tradition.

Supper Club prepares to close, auction planned for Saturday, Jan. 2

By Maria McIlwain | Community Editor | December 30

The War Eagle Supper Club, an 87-year-old installment once on the edge of town, will have one last party Thursday, Dec. 31.

Former University employee charged with selling date rape drug changes plea to guilty

By Maria McIlwain | Community Editor | December 27

Stephen Howard, former University employee who was accused of selling over a gallon of date-rape drug, changed his plea on one of his two remaining counts Dec.

Gov. Bentley issues state of emergency after flooding across Alabama

By Staff Report | December 26

The state of emergency authorizes state agencies to assist affected areas.

Flash flood warning extended to 7 a.m.

By Staff Report | December 25

The The National Weather service has extended the flash flood warning for Lee County to 1 a.m.

Auburn firefighters rescue five people from Sougahatchee Creek

By Jim Little | Editor-in-Chief | December 25

Flood waters from Sougahatchee Creek off North Ashe Court swamped five people in a canoe Thursday afternoon, Dec. 24.

Toomer's Oaks returning to Auburn Feb. 14

By Kris Martins | Campus Reporter | December 24

Auburn is getting ready to replant its tradition of the Toomer's Oaks as February grows closer. Two oaks from Ehrhardt, South Carolina will be making their way to Toomer's Corner to be planted Feb. 14.

Harvey Updyke makes first payment to avoid jail

By Jim Little | Community Editor | December 24

According to the Tuscaloosa News, Updyke has paid the $350 that Lee County Judge Jacob A. Walker ordered he must pay to avoid arrest.

Jakell Mitchell exchanged gunfire with Markale Hart, Auburn dectective said

By Jim Little | Community Editor | December 24

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.

Uber halts operations in Auburn

By Jim Little | Community Editor | December 24

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