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Auburn City Council approves new software contract

By Kailey Miller | Community Reporter | March 25

The Auburn City Council approved the execution of a contract with Innovyze, Inc. during their meeting Tuesday, March 17, that will effect approval of building projects in the community. The contract includes the purchase of InfoSWMM sanitary sewer modeling software. “It is a modeling software package that allows us to basically model capacity in our sewer mains, which in turn basically allows us to analyze our existing capacity as well as future capacity needs,” said Matt Dunn, water resource management assistant director.

Auburn Bike Bash coming April 11

By Pierce Ostwalt | Community Writer | March 24

The City of Auburn and the Auburn Bicycle Committee will host the Auburn Bike Bash on Saturday, April 11, at Pick Elementary School. The Bike Bash is in its 16th year, according to Allison Hall, community and special programs director for the Parks and Recreation department. “The goal has always been to let the Auburn citizens know that there are a variety of biking options in the community,” Hall said.

Auburn Police partners with U.S. Marshals

By Kailey Miller | Community Reporter | March 24

The Auburn City Council voted to execute a memorandum of understanding with the United States Marshals Service during their meeting Tuesday, March 17. “What we’ve agreed to do is have one of our investigators work in an as needed part-time role with this task force,” said Police Chief Paul Register.

University innovators turn into entrepreneurs

By Tracy Awino | Campus Reporter | March 23

Benjamin Gustafson, Auburn University senior in software engineering, and Tyler Smith, University of South Carolina senior in computer science, started a software program that helps educators nationwide make classroom observation more efficient, according to Gustafson.

Auburn professor names fish species after Star Wars character

By Kris Martins | Campus Reporter | March 22

Jonathan Armbruster, biological sciences professor and curator of fishes at the Auburn Museum of Natural History, recently named a new species of catfish after the “Star Wars” character Greedo featured in Episode IV. Armbruster discovered Peckoltia greedoi on a visit to a Brazilian museum in 2004. “Most of the stuff we actually find are things that somebody else has collected — sometimes hundreds of year ago even.

​Jason Dufner brings 5K to Auburn

By Rachael Taylor | News Editor | March 20

On March 20, the Auburn community gathered to support The Jason Dufner Foundation with a 5K that toke place at the Red Barn. Dufner graduated from Auburn in 2000.

Free parking during break

March 20

For those staying in town over spring break, free parking will be available in downtown Auburn. The city code of Auburn allows for parking holidays, usually tied to when the University is out, according to David Dorton, public affairs director for the City of Auburn. Meter-free parking will begin on Monday, March 23, and last until Friday, March 27.

Man barricades himself in home

By Maria Mcllwain | Copy Editor | March 19

A 21-year-old male barricaded himself in a house on the 900 block of McKinley Ave. after officers arrived to serve a misdemeanor menacing warrant, according to Capt. Will Mathews of the Auburn Police Division.

City Council Approves $60,000 Professional Services Contract

By Kailey Miller | Community Reporter | March 18

The Auburn City Council met for a concise meeting Tuesday, March 17, and they were able to pass every item listed on the agenda. The council voted to pass the execution of a professional services contract with Affirma SharePoint Consultants of Bellevue, Washington.

Yarbrough Tennis Center receives national recognition

By Pierce Ostwalt | Community Writer | March 18

The Professional Tennis Registry recently awarded Auburn’s Yarbrough Tennis Center the Public Tennis Facility of the Year. “We basically received this award for growing tennis,” said Travis DeBardelaben, Yarbrough Tennis Center director.

Ku Klux Klan delivers recruiting notes weighed down by rocks

By Corey Williams | Campus Editor | March 18

Many Auburn residents woke up Sunday morning, March 15, to the Traditionalist American Knights of the Ku Klux Klan fliers in their yards.

Building paves over snake habitat

By Kyle Nazario l Contributing Writer | March 18

Auburn University shattered a rare ecological system when it gave land for a new medical college, leaving only “fragments,” according to John Kush, professor of biological sciences. The Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine building, which began construction in February 2013, sits atop 15 of 21 acres in a plot of land which Kush said was managed by the School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences since the 1950s.

Yarbrough Tennis Center named public facility of the year

By Pierce Ostwalt | Community Writer | March 18

The Professional Tennis Registry recently awarded Auburn’s Yarbrough Tennis Center the Public Facility of the Year. “We basically received this award for growing tennis,” said Travis DeBardelaben, Yarbrough Tennis Center director.

Crime reports from March 9 to 15

By Staff Report | March 17

The following crimes were reported by the Auburn Police Division from March 9-15: March 9: -First-degree theft of property and third-degree criminal mischief were reported at the 1000 block of Lewis Lane. -First-degree possession of a forged instrument was reported at the 2300 block of E.

Nick Offerman to perform at UPC’s Comedy on the Plains

By Corey Williams | Campus Editor | March 17

Nick Offerman, known for his role as Ron Swanson from "Parks and Recreation," is UPC’s spring comedian. Amanda Hurite, UPC president and senior in industrial engineering, said she expects a positive student reaction to the Comedy on the Plains announcement. “Parks and Recreation is just wrapping up and Ron Swanson, Nick Offerman’s character has been pretty big in the media right now,” Hurite said.

SGA votes on new SGA positions

By Kris Martins | Campus Reporter | March 17

There was no old business so Brandon Honeywell, of the College of Science and Mathematics and junior in biomedical science presented the first order of business, which addressed the Chapter 201 code of laws amendment. “This is asking for an amendment just reflecting the language of the position of the executive cabinet, which is the executive vice president of marketing and engagement, which is Ms. Ivy Sibley,” Honeywell said. The motion was made and all ruled in favor.

​Problems in Alabama prisons discussed at meeting

By Kendyl Hollingsworth | Community Writer | March 17

A member of the Southern Poverty Law Center brought up several points about the problems Alabama prisons face in a talk given at Auburn First Baptist Church at 7 p.m.

Suspect in convenience store robbery arrested

By Kailey Miller | Community Reporter | March 17

Brenton R. Egan, a 29-year-old Auburn resident, has been charged with first-degree robbery involving a convenience store located at the 1900 block of S.