News

Tax-Free Weekend Encourages Back-to-School Shopping

By Staff reports | August 5

Auburn and Opelika residents looking to save a little extra cash on back-to-school shopping will have the opportunity this weekend, August 6 through August 8, as local and state sales taxes are waived for Alabama's 2010 Sales Tax Holiday.

Citizens Will Bid Farewell to Summer at Town Creek Park

By Nicole Loggins / WRITER | July 29

As anyone who has ever dreaded back-to-school sales knows, August is about saying goodbye to summer.Auburn residents are saying their goodbyes to summer in the form of an evening block party at Town Creek Park. The Farewell Summer Block Party will be held August 5 at 6 p.m. The festivities include live music, door prizes and goody bags full of coupons donated by local businesses.

Alabama's Standards Lead the Nation with Disaster Protection

By Kendra Kelley / Writer | July 29

Alabama's Standards Lead the Nation with Disaster Protection Hurricane Katrina struck in 2005 and in 2010 most states still remain unprepared.After almost five years after Hurricane Katrina, a new report by Save the Children's U.S. Program reveals Alabama as the national leader in protecting children in disasters.

Auburn Division of Student Affairs Lays Off Eight Employees

By Max Davis / Writer | July 28

Auburn University's Division of Student Affairs is laying off eight employees because of budget cuts.Unfortunately, Auburn University could not escape the deep incision of budget cuts for this up-coming academic school year.

Grant Money Used to Make Auburn a Safer Place

By Lauren Nix / Writer | July 26

Auburn residents can feel a little safer knowing the people who protect them will now be a little drier and brighter.Alabama State Rep. Mike Hubbard secured multiple grants for Auburn's Police and Fire Divisions early this week."Public safety is really a great place to send these grants because they're out there servicing citizens everyday," Hubbard said.

Missile Facility Creates 300 New Jobs in Alabama

By Blake May / Writer | July 25

Gov. Bob Riley has successfully recruited the aerospace company, Raytheon, to build a new missile production facility in Huntsville that will create 300 new jobs.This agreement was reached on Monday, July 19, from Farnborough, U.K., where Riley, U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby of Alabama and the president of Raytheon were attending the International Air Show held outside of London.

Opelika Celebrates Year of Small Towns and Downtowns

By Lindsey Kaye Rodgers / Writer | July 20

Barbecue, historic buildings, a free concert by local artists and pony rides were just a few of the treats Opelika community members enjoyed Saturday during its all-day celebration.Celebrate Opelika, an event coordinated by the City of Opelika and Opelika Main Street, was part of The Great Alabama Homecoming.

Alabama Broadband Initiative

By Miles Murphy / Writer | July 20

The Alabama Department of Economic Affairs has been hard at work over the last few months pressing forward to assure that broadband Internet service is more available for those in need by starting its ConnectingALABAMA program."It's an effort to help increase access to broadband Internet service in areas without affordable options," said Mike Presley, ADECA spokesman.

Talladega County School System Named Leader in Reduced Energy Costs

By Katherine Haas / WRITER | July 17

The Talladega County School System recently became the first school system in Alabama to be named a national Energy Star Leader by reducing its energy costs by $2.3 million during the past four years.

Bentley Secures GOP Nomination

By Brian Woodham / Associate Copy Editor | July 13

Robert Bentley has won the Republican nomination for governor, defeating Bradley Byrne in Tuesday's Republican runoff. With 100 percent of precincts reporting, Bentley has 260,843 votes (56 percent) to Byrne's 204,388 (44 percent).

Death of an Auburn Graduate

By Travis Herrmann / Writer | July 13

Auburn University lost one of its newest graduates over Fourth of July weekend on Lake Martin.Kevin Jang, a 23-year-old alumnus, dove into the water near the Dadeville area of Lake Martin and did not resurface, according to police.

RBC Bank Doesn't Want Students to be Without School Supplies

By Max Davis / Writer | July 13

Students will be heading back to school soon, and no child should enter the new school year without fresh school supplies.RBC Bank is doing its annual school supply drive to help children in need. The bank is partnering with Lee County on its endeavor.

Auburn Residents Give a Hoot about Owl Release

By Katherine Haas / WRITER | July 12

One, two, three! Who let the owls out?Spectators flocked to Kiesel Park yesterday where the Southeastern Raptor Center (SRC) released eight eastern screech owls and five barred owls back into the wild.

July 4th Weekend Proved to be a Safe Experience in Auburn

By Lauren Cavallaro / Writer | July 12

This past holiday weekend proved itself to be a safe one for the cities of Auburn and Opelika."Safety-wise it was a really good weekend," said Thomas Stofer, captain of the Auburn Police Department. "Nothing out of the ordinary reared its ugly head."

BP's Oil Gusher Impacts Alabama's Tourism Industry

By Brian Woodham / Associate Copy Editor | July 10

Alabama's tourism industry, which thrives because of the panhandle's pristine white sand beaches, has been hard hit by the havoc wreaked along the Gulf Coast by crude gushing from BP's Deepwater Horizon wellhead.

The Oil Spill: Vessels of Opportunity

By Brian Woodham / Associate Copy Editor | July 10

BP's Deepwater Horizon oil spill has devastated the Gulf Coast's commercial and recreational fishing industries, closing wide swaths of water because of contamination, which has forced many boat captains and their crewmembers to turn to BP for employment.

Beware This Summer's Ice Storm

By Lauren Cavallaro / Writer | July 10

The rules are simple. The game is widely known. A revolution of the 2010 summer has begun. Just watch your back, or you might get iced.

Human Trafficking Becomes a Felony in Alabama

By Laura Maxwell / Editor-in-chief | July 8

Human trafficking is now a felony in Alabama since the state passed its first law addressing the issue June 25, and began being enforced July 1.

L Building Temporarily Closed

By Maxwell Newfield / News Editor | July 7

Auburn students and faculty looking to learn or loiter in the L Building are out of luck as the location has been locked because of a leak.

'State of Marriage in Alabama' Handbook Explores Decline in Marriage Rate

By Kendra Kelley / Writer | July 5

Today, more people in Alabama are dodging the altar and skipping the wedding vows to focus on other responsibilities.Auburn University at Montgomery's (AUM) Center for Demographic Research released the State of Marriage in Alabama Handbook on June 25.