News

Alabama No. 1 in nation for aquatic biodiversity

By Emily Esleck | Editor-in-Chief | June 20

Alabama is number one in the nation for diversity of freshwater mussels, fishes, crayfish, snails and turtles, according to Dr. Scot Duncan.

South College Street rezoning delayed for 3 weeks

By Maria McIlwain | News Editor | June 18

The City Council did not unanimously pass a resolution to rezone parts of South College Street, meaning the vote will be delayed until the next meeting, July 7. Forest Cotten, planning director for the City of Auburn, said the plan was similar to the Renew Opelika Road project. "We targeted the South College corridor, specifically, because it's a strip commercial corridor, much like Opelika Road, it's just a new generation of it," Cotten said. Currently, the area is a Comprehensive Development District (CDD), and it is the most permissive district in terms of use, according to Cotten.

Former Auburn University laboratory technician pleads not guilty to date rape drug distribution

By Emily Esleck | Editor-in-Chief | June 17

Stephen Howard, former Auburn University laboratory technician, was indicted earlier this month on six charges including possessing with an intent to distribute 1,4-butainediol, which converts to the date rape drug when ingested.

Lighting improvements made to the construction area downtown

By Rachael Taylor | News Writer | June 17

The construction downtown this summer poses obvious complications, such as the intersection of College Street and Magnolia Avenue being closed.

Incident reports from June 9-15

By Staff Report | June 16

The following incidents were reported to the Auburn Police Division from June 9-15:

The Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art is located on South College Street. It opened in 2003. (FILE PHOTO)

Museum namesake, Jule Collins Smith dies

By Staff Report | June 16

Jule Collins Smith, the person the Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art is named for, died Saturday, June 13 in Houston. Smith was born in Auburn and enrolled in Alabama Polytechnic Institute in 1946.

Sigma Tau Gamma to live in former Sigma Chi house

By Rachael Taylor | News Writer | June 16

The Sigma Chi house on Magnolia Avenue is no longer sitting vacant, the brothers of Sigma Tau Gamma have recently moved in. “They moved in on Monday, June 1,” said John Carvalho, faculty adviser for Sigma Tau Gamma.

University launches cancer research partnership with Nuovo Biologics

By Maria McIlwain | News Editor | June 13

Auburn researchers and Nuovo Biologics, based out of Florida, have teamed up to research a new cancer therapy. According to Bruce Smith, research professor, the therapy is in the form of a peptide, a biological molecule.

Pop-up SummerNight Art Walk successful despite construction

By Emily Esleck | Editor-in-Chief | June 12

Local members of the community gathered in front of the Gay Street parking deck listening to local music by the Joe Bagley Band and browsing artists' work at A Pop-up SummerNight Art Walk Friday, June 12, from 5-9 p.m.

'Dream come true,' Auburn alumna crowned Miss Alabama 2015

By Maria McIlwain | News Editor | June 11

It has been a whirlwind for Meg McGuffin, recent graduate in media studies, after being crowned Miss Alabama on Saturday, June 6.

Magnolia Avenue Oak to be replaced in early July

By Staff Report | June 11

The Magnolia Oak will be replaced with a live oak of the same size in early July, according to a press release issued by Auburn University. Thoms Trees and Plants will replace the oak and according to Tim Thoms, contractor in charge of relocating the oaks, told the University if an oak died from transplanting it would be replaced from the company's pre-dug stock. "Utilizing a nursery raised and pre-dug tree provides more certainty that the tree will survive," said Gary Keever, professor of horticulture and Facilities Management landscape consultant.

Lights, camera, action: Auburn students bring talent from the Plains to the big screen

By Emily Esleck | Editor-in-Chief | June 11

For most Auburn students, the closest they’ve come to fame is getting their name on the list at Skybar or jumping on stage to sing karaoke Tuesday night.

Ins and outs of Auburn apartment living

By Dakota Sumpter | Photo Editor | June 11

As the student enrollment continues to climb and housing on-campus become more limited, many students are opting to live in off-campus apartments.

Incident reports from June 2-8

By Staff Report | June 10

The following incidents were reported to the Auburn Police Division from June 2-8: June 2: Giving false identification to a law enforcement officer was reported at the 1600 block of Academy Drive. Harassment was reported at the 200 block of West Longleaf Drive.

Board of Trustees votes to eliminate department of polymer and fiber engineering

By Maria McIlwain | News Editor | June 9

The Auburn Board of Trustees voted to close the department of polymer and fiber engineering and eliminate the bachelor's degree in that field at its meeting Friday, June 5.

UPDATE: 5-year-old victim dies of head injury

By Staff Report | June 8

The Auburn Police Division arrested George W. Barton and charged him with first-degree domestic violence and aggravated child abuse Sunday, June 7, according to a news release by the APD. APD responded to a call to assist paramedics at a residence on the 1900 block of Rosie Street at noon Sunday.

The War Eagle Girls and Plainsmen sing to Lauren Jones, Miss Auburn 2015, after the SGA and Miss Auburn callouts Feb 10, 2015. (File photo)

Selection processes for student organizations

By Maria McIlwain | News Editor | June 8

From orange sport coats to walking backward on the concourse, leading a group of teenagers and their families, Tigerettes and Tiger Hosts (TTH), Student Recruiters and War Eagle Girls and Plainsmen (WEGP) are a person’s first interaction with an Auburn student.

Campaign strives to raise awareness about the dangers of leaving children and pets in cars

By Maria McIlwain | News Editor | June 7

It was an average day for Hollie Lee, lab technician in the College of Veterinary medicine, when she saw it. Lee said she was in the parking lot of a local business when she saw a dog in the backseat of a car in heat distress.

Auburn student and his family receive home through Homes for Our Troops

By Maria McIlwain | News Editor | June 6

Sgt. Josh Wetzel, senior in marketing, his wife Paige Wetzel and his daughter Harper Wetzel ceremonially broke ground on their new home in front of a crowd on a hot June 6 morning in front of a cheering, flag-waving crowd. Josh and his family are building a house with the help of Homes for Our Troops, an organization that builds specially adapted homes for wounded veterans injured after 9/11. Josh lost both his legs May 31, 2012, when he stepped on an improvised explosive device (IED) in Afghanistan.

Early childhood education holds enrichment program ‘Summertime in Alabama’

By Emily Esleck | Editor-in-Chief | June 6

For more than 25 years, the summer enrichment program has taught early childhood education students valuable teaching skills and served as an outlet for children from preschool to age 8, according to Sean Durham, program director and coordinator for early childhood education in the College of Education. Starting June 8, as many as 45 children will come to a classroom in Haley Center that has been transformed by a cohort of 20 Auburn students. Durham said the students have waxed the floors, removed the tables and chairs to set up art and reading areas, which lasts two semesters. The summer program began as a way for students to complete their practicum in the summer since public schools are not open. This year’s theme, “Summertime in Alabama,” gives students the opportunity to teach children about different activities in Auburn such as going to Chewacla and other parks, according to Hannah Deaver, junior in early childhood education with a Spanish minor. Deaver will be teaching the 5-7 age group and said she will let her children decide a project they want to work on centered on their interests. “I was interested in early childhood education from a really young age, I have really always wanted to be a teacher,” Deaver said.