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Ropin', Ridin' and Wranglin'

By Derek Lacey / WRITER | April 15

Benjamin Willoughby had never ridden a bull before Saturday, when he saddled and strapped up to ride in front of hundreds of spectators at the 2010 Alpha Psi Rodeo.A freshman in building science, Willoughby is a member of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity and has been going to the Rodeo since he was a junior in high school.\0xAD\0xADHe hung on to the bull for about three seconds before being thrown, but considers it one of the most exciting experiences of his life."It was a huge adrenaline rush," Willoughby said, "probably one of the biggest adrenaline rushes I've ever had."Everybody who's anybody hears about the Alpha Psi Rodeo, according to Willoughby, and this year's rodeo was definitely a big event, hosting more than 15,000 people, a large crowd for a first-time bull rider."It was like Christmas morning, waiting for rodeo," Willoughby said.

The Plains Hosts 7 Cities at Tiger Nights

By Jillian Clair / STAFF REPORTER | April 15

The Student Center, normally void of activity after dinner time on the weekends, was alive with nightlife from cities all over Friday night.City Lights: Tiger Nights provided students and members of the community opportunities to travel to Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, Nashville, New Orleans, New York and Seattle.A free F.L.Y.

Locals Preserve Roots For Trees

By Ellison Langford / News Editor | April 15

Mouthwash.Toothpaste.Chewing gum.It's not likely teeth realize how many times a day they come in contact with tree products.It's not likely many people do either, which is why the Louise Kreher Ecology Preserve hosted Goods from the Woods Saturday morning."We don't rely on other people," said Jennifer Lolley, outreach administrator for the preserve.

PACT Users May Get Tuition Cap

By Jillian Clair / STAFF REPORTER | April 15

The Senate rejected a House version of a bill that aims to save the Alabama Prepaid Affordable College Tuition plan yesterday.Members of a six-member conference are seeking a compromise on the controversial addition of a tuition cap.The House bill, sponsored by Rep.

Auto Supplier Creates Jobs

By Anna Schierholz / WRITER | April 15

Auburn will be welcoming an influx of jobs over the next two years thanks to a Korean auto supplier.Pyongsan America, Inc. has outgrown its facility in Auburn after eight years in Auburn Technology Park North.It plans to spend $5 million on its expansion, which includes 100 new jobs."We are thrilled to be able to offer Pyongsan a solution for growth in Auburn," said Mayor Bill Ham after learning of the company's plan to expand to another location.Ham said he is impressed with the company's growth, and the amount of jobs it has provided in the Auburn area will double with the opening of the new facility.The Auburn City Council approved an unspecified incentives package for the company at its meeting April 6.Pyongsan America is an auto supplier that specializes in air-conditioner and heater core pipe assembly.

Tea Party Tempers Boil

By Derek Lacey / WRITER | April 15

Picket signs bearing "vote stupid out of Washington" and "conservatism built America" dotted the courtyard across from the Lee County Courthouse Saturday during the East Alabama Tea Party.The event was held by the East Alabama Patriots, a political organization that believes in the constitutional values of limited government, personal responsibility and individual freedom.The rally began with the national anthem and Pledge of Allegiance and consisted of a series of speeches from notable members of the Tea Party movement.Caroline Wren, senior in economics and president of the Auburn College Republicans, spoke to the crowd saying American freedoms are being attacked."We're fighting against the best organized and most capable enemy of freedom that has ever existed in America," Wren said.

House Unanimously Approves Budget

By Daniel Chesser / ASSOCIATE NEWS EDITOR | April 15

Non-education state agencies will receive $1.6 billion after approval of Alabama's General Fund Budget April 5.The House passed the budget 104-0 with Gov.

Lack Of Funding Delays Skate Park

By Patrick Dever / ASSOCIATE SPORTS EDITOR | April 15

It has been a few years since the hey day of Tony Hawk and other professional skateboarders, but skateboarding hasn't lost much ground.Auburn skaters, however, do not have a place to call their own.The Auburn City Council approved plans for a skate park to be built on Glenn Avenue in October 2009.Six months later, approval is the most ground the skate park has gained.Greg Darden, development manager for Donald H.

Pot, Prescriptions, Politics

By Jake Mastroianni / WRITER | April 15

Alabama could be the first Southern state to allow the distribution of medical marijuana.The Alabama House voted to allow the state to prescribe medical marijuana to patients who are in serious pain.The deadline for the bill was supposed to be last Tuesday, but is being carried over according to Rep.

People Of The Plains: Melnicks Have House Full Of Love

By Ellison Langford / News Editor | April 15

Blake and Micah Melnick are offering support to the approximately 120 residents of Lee County who can fit all their possessions in a single trash bag.Their non-profit organization, BigHouse, aims to provide clothing and extracurricular activities to Lee County's foster children.The Melnicks started BigHouse after seeing the difficulties Micah's parents experienced providing for their three foster daughters."We saw the need," Blake said.

Goo Goo Dolls Bring 'Better Days' to Auburn

By Laura Maxwell / ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR | April 8

The Goo Goo Dolls will be headlining the University Program Council-sponsored concert Wednesday, April 28. Doors will open at 7 p.m., and the concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. with the band's opener, Sister Hazel. The Rocket Summer has been touring with the Goo Goo Dolls and will open for the band as well. Tickets will be available April 21. There will be stations on the Haley Concourse, Lowder and Miller Gorrie Center. Tickets are free, but in order to get one students need to have their student IDs in hand. Tickets will be given to about 8,000 students.

Muddin' for Marines

By Miranda Dollarhide / WRITER | April 8

Participants ran and crawled through mud to support Marines of Auburn

City Encourages 'Traveling With Care'

By Daniel Chesser / ASSOCIATE NEWS EDITOR | April 8

The kickoff of a new campaign hopes to encourage safety awareness for pedestrians and drivers alike in Auburn.The City of Auburn and Auburn University has teamed up to tackle this issue in light of recent occurrences of people being struck by cars on Magnolia Avenue and College Street."It has been a long ongoing relationship between the city and between Auburn, the campus, to look at all forms of safety," said Auburn University President Jay Gogue.

Myriad 0f Eggs Hunted On Easter

By Bree Bowen / WRITER | April 8

Peter Cottontail hopped down the bunny trail a day early as Auburn and Opelika celebrated Easter Saturday.Opelika Parks and Recreation hosted Easter on the Square in downtown Opelika, a day filled with egg-tivities like face painting, sidewalk chalk drawing, cookie decorating, an egg hunt and a parade around the square.Approximately 2,000 people gathered with friends and family in front of the courthouse to enjoy the celebration."I've been with Opelika Parks and Recreation for 27 years, and when I was a little kid they were doing this," said Sam Bailey, assistant director for parks and recreation.

Baja Burrito To Replace Flip Flops

By Daniel Chesser / ASSOCIATE NEWS EDITOR | April 8

Honors were given to employee of the month and all resolutions were approved Tuesday night at the Auburn City Council meeting.In the Committee of the Whole meeting before the Council meeting, the results for the City of Auburn's 2010 Citizen Survey were presented to the council.The survey is conducted annually to evaluate citizen satisfaction with the city government and operations, according to auburnalabama.org."The thing I am most pleased with are the areas citizens wanted to pay attention to, traffic in neighborhoods, speeding and intersection improvement," said Mayor Bill Ham.

Stimulus Funds Make Building Exit 50 Possible

By Ben Bartley / COPY EDITOR | April 8

A long-planned Auburn interchange has officially been given the go-ahead for construction.Exit 50, known as the Auburn Technology Park Exchange, has been part of the city of Auburn's plan for years, but lack of funds delayed construction."Just recently funds were put back from the federal government to the state for major highway projects," said City Manager Charlie Duggan.

Knology Ends 50-Year Cable Monopoly

By Daniel Chesser / ASSOCIATE NEWS EDITOR | April 8

Cable TV customers of Auburn will gain the knowledge of competition between their service providers.Auburn was introduced to cable television in 1959 and has had only one choice in service, said Mayor Bill Ham.Knology is moving into the area and will put an end to the 50-year reign of a market monopolized by Charter Communications.A groundbreaking ceremony was held Thursday April 1 at the Knology office in the Tutton Hill development off Hamilton Road."We are thrilled Knology is willing to bring high-end Internet and all the capability that come with their services to the local area," Ham said.

Tenure No Longer Protects Felonious Teachers

By Jessica Shaddix / WRITER | April 8

A bill removing teachers who have been convicted of major felonies was signed into law last Wednesday by Gov.