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Rain Can't Dampen Festivities

By David Norwood / ASSISTANT MULTIMEDIA EDITOR | April 29

The 10th anniversary of Auburn's CityFest drew hundreds of vendors, performers and daytrippers to Kiesel Park Saturday, making for a slightly damp day of recreation.Morning showers and the threat of severe weather forced an early closing to CityFest, hosted by the Auburn Department of Parks and Recreation."We had a little more rain than sunshine this year, but our vendors and our volunteers and our sponsors and our citizens stuck with us and we had a great year," said Meg Rainey, Auburn CityFest co-coordinator.

Congress Overrides Veto, Allows Stronger Wine Sales

By Bree Bowen / WRITER | April 29

Bingo machines are not the only things Gov. Bob Riley seems to want to keep out of Alabama.Last week Riley vetoed a bill that would allow the sale of stronger wine in Alabama grocery stores, convenience stores and other retail stores."I think he's been pretty consistent in being against expanding liquor sales" said Sen.

Vets Visit WWII Memorial

By Katie Ehrhart / WRITER | April 29

Friday was a day of gratitude and appreciation nearly 65 years in the making.Eighty-seven World War II veterans from Columbus and the surrounding areas were honored for their service with an all-expense paid trip to Washington D.C.

'Inappropriate Lobbying' Prompts Investigation

By Rod Guajardo/ MANAGING EDITOR | April 29

As many as 60 legislators and state officials may find themselves testifying in front of a federal grand jury in Montgomery Tuesday.A federal investigation, prompted by the Justice Department's public integrity unit, will look in to "inappropriate lobbying" thought to have been implemented by key supporters of the gambling bill, according to a report by The Associated Press.Sen.

People Of The Plains: Gafford Gives More Than Books

By Ellison Langford / News Editor | April 29

A modest warehouse in Opelika serves as a fortress against illiteracy.Cathy Gafford, executive director of Jean Dean Reading is Fundamental, acts as its commander.Gafford and her father started Jean Dean RIF in 1990 while he was serving as district governor of Kiwanis.

Folks Gather For 'Old Time Music Festival'

By Ashlee Wood / WRITER | April 29

Dulcimers, fiddles, flutes and banjos rang out in Loachapoka last weekend during the "Down From the Mountains" festival.When the Lee County Historical Society arranged the four-day festival, not many people expected several groups of artists from distant areas of America to come celebrate the second annual Lee County Gathering in Loachapoka."The Old Time Music Festival was absolutely wonderful," said Deborah McCord, president of the Lee County Historical Society.

'Love Story' Comes True

By Staff reports | April 26

Taylor Swift performed a personal concert for Auburn students, including Michael Wekall and Ryan Leander who led the "A Hug From Taylor Swift" campaign. She instructed the boys to check their e-mail at 12:30 p.m. today, in which she told them to be at the Auburn University Hotel and Dixon Conference Center to sing karaoke. After a few 100 students gathered to sing "You Belong With Me," Swift appeared via video on a screen in the background expressing how she wished she could be there. After a short performance, the boys left getting a hug from Swift.

Dancin' the Night Away

By Jillian Clair / STAFF REPORTER | April 22

The second annual Auburn University Dance Marathon kicked off Saturday at 8 p.m. in the Student Center Ballroom, and students danced nonstop until the next morning at 8 a.m.The 12-hour event, hosted by SGA, raised $5,590 for Lee County's Habitat for Humanity.All the money stays in Lee County, said Tiffany Rozier, director of the dance marathon and junior in theater management.

Giuliani Conveys Leadership

By Michelle Wilder / CAMPUS EDITOR | April 22

An organization new to Auburn will begin its program with a speaker known across the nation.Former Mayor of New York, Rudy Giuliani, will speak on leadership in challenging times in the Coliseum May 3."We were one of the few universities without a speaker series in the Southeast," said Drew Robinson, president of Perspectives on the Plains.

Grant Supports Appliance Recycling

By Daniel Chesser / ASSOCIATE NEWS EDITOR | April 22

Alabamians have a window of opportunity to spend less money and energy while having the ability to green.Alabama will receive $4,473,000 in rebates on old appliances in a state effort to become more sustainable.Alabama will implement a mail-in rebate program to help residents replace older, inefficient appliances with Energy Star qualified appliances.Alabamians have reserved approximately 18,500 rebates.

Donating The Miracle of Sound

By Chelsea Harvey / WRITER | April 22

In May, Dr. Sandra Clark-Lewis, clinical professor of audiology in the Department of Communication Disorders, will travel to Guatemala.

Waverly Dons Its Dancin' Shoes

By Bethany Donaldson / WRITER | April 22

Blue grass music twanged through the trees, and cars lined the road. Just off Highway 280 citizens of Lee County hiked with lawn chairs to the 10th annual 280 Boogie Saturday.Those opting to skip out on Auburn's A-Day football game enjoyed a day of music featuring The Uncle Roy Show, Mace Glasscock, Spoonful James and more.Attendees were welcomed to the event by the aroma of burgers and chicken hot off the grill.

Unanimous 'Yes' For Open Containers

By Daniel Chesser / ASSOCIATE NEWS EDITOR | April 22

Unanimous consent of the Auburn City Council amended and passed the ordinance to allow open alcoholic containers on sidewalks at outdoor cafes in the city.The ordinance was amended to appease all council members after a clarification was made on what type of businesses will be affected.This ordinance will not apply to downtown bars unless the business also serves food, according to the council."It was an amendment that eliminated one city facility from any possibility of it being utilized," said Mayor Bill Ham.

$1 Billion May Go To Roads

By Davis Potter / WRITER | April 22

The Alabama Senate has approved a compromise to the 10-year, $1 billion roads bill. The money from the bill will go toward improving roads and bridges.A number of the special projects included in the House version of the bill were reduced.The bill was sponsored by Sen.

Bill Creates Toughest Gaming Commission

By Jillian Clair / STAFF REPORTER | April 22

The vote on the Alabama gambling bill that could provide an end to the debate may not take place after all."There's still one day left so they could bring it up tomorrow, but right now it looks like there are more votes against this gambling bill than there are for it," Gov.

Bill Bans Smoking While Eating Throughout State

By Ashley Marks / WRITER | April 22

Although Auburn may be largely smoke-free, most of Alabama is not.However, a bill proposed by Sen.

People Of The Plains: Randles Farm For Future

By Ellison Langford / News Editor | April 22

Randle Farms is famous for its blueberries.But blueberries are only the beginning of the myriad produce and meat it offers residents of Lee County interested in shaking the hand of the farmers who grow their food.Randle Farms is a Community Supported Agriculture farm, meaning people buy shares of the goods produced on their farm."The commonality is all these people are interested in knowing where their food comes from," said Frank Randle, owner of the farm said, "knowing the farmer that produced it."Randle said having orders already placed for the food creates some security for their business."We know that the fruits, vegetables that we're producing already has a home," Randle said.Because of the way the farm operates, the Randles develop close relationships with a lot of their customers."We know the kids," Randle said.

Scoping Stars From Forest

By Nicole Emmett / WRITER | April 22

Stargazers snacked on Moon Pies, Starbursts, Milky Ways and Cosmic Kool-Aid as they watched a movie about the Hubble space telescope and gazed at the stars Saturday night.The Auburn Forest Ecology Preserve staff and the Auburn Astronomical Society held its biannual Astronomy Night Saturday at the Mary Olive Thomas Demonstration Forest."I think it is set up really well," said Colin MacDougall, junior in mass communications at Southern Union State Community College.