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Poor scores demand writing program

By Jillian Clair / STAFF REPORTER | March 4

Five years ago, tests showed that Auburn students were not writing as much as peer institutions. This year, the creation of a writing initiative has brought positive attention to the University.Margaret Marshal, director of the University Writing Program, said Auburn's writing initiative is the first of its kind.A writing task force, which included faculty from every college as well as student representatives, spent two years investigating writing at Auburn, studying what actually happens in the classrooms, Marshall said.

House and Senate Struggle With PACT Money

By Daniel Chesser / ASSOCIATE NEWS EDITOR | March 4

An uncertain future for Alabama's prepaid college tuition program has the House and Senate searching for the appropriate solution.The two bills being proposed offer the same amount of money, but one has a substituted effort that wants to put a 2.5 percent cap on tuition cost for PACT contractholding students.Sen.

Home Brewing May Become Legal in Alabama

By Patrick Dever / ASSOCIATE SPORTS EDITOR | March 4

Editor's note: The photos have been changed because of misrepresenting content.Alabama's alcohol laws are changing again.Legislation was approved in the Alabama Senate legalizing home brewing of beer, wine and mead.Republican Sen.

Bill Will Require Voters to Show Valid Photo IDs

By Ben Bartley / COPY EDITOR | March 4

An Alabama House committee passed a bill that will require voters to show valid photo identification at polling places.The House Constitutions and Elections Committee passed the bill 8-3 Feb.

House Kills Vote for Constitution Reform

By Daniel Chesser / ASSOCIATE NEWS EDITOR | March 4

Alabama's 109-year-old constitution remains intact from reformation after a resolution that would let citizens vote for reform was killed by the Alabama House of Representatives."The House voted to lay the resolution on the table," said Nan Ekberg, co-chair Alabama Citizens for Constitutional Reform.

Arts Center Gives 'Junk' New Home

By Crystal Cole / STAFF REPORTER | March 4

The art gallery of the Jan Dempsey Community Arts Center resembled a garage for the last two weeks, with scrap metal, pots and even an old mannequin.The Found Objects II exhibition ran from Feb.

Formation of Public School Budgets May Change

By Jake Mastroianni / WRITER | March 4

The Rolling Reserve Budget Act, developed by Rep. Greg Canfield, may change the way budgets are planned for public schools in Alabama.Canfield's bill will look at the next 15 years and average those budgets together to figure out a reasonable cap for the budget.The hope is that this bill will avoid proration and will help schools regain funds lost during this slow economic period.Proration occurs when projected budgets are reduced so the amount of funds requested changes to match the amount of funds available."There is too much uncertainty that comes along with proration," Canfield said.

Council looks at open-container law

By Laura Maxwell / ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR | March 4

The Magnolia Avenue Roadway Lighting Project and further discussion concerning alcohol consumption on city property were approved at Tuesday's City Council meeting.Twenty light poles will be installed along the south of Magnolia Avenue by June.The University is also interested in aligning sidewalks and staircases with crosswalks and installing more signs to direct pedestrians toward crosswalks in an attempt to encourage pedestrian safety.The city is waiting to see if jaywalking continues after these measures are implemented before taking further action.Council member Sheila Eckman brought up allowing special events permits which would allow people to walk around with wine for specific events.Wine would be the only form of alcohol permitted.

People of The Plains: Holzmeister Burns Track

By Ellison Langford / News Editor | March 4

Carrie Holzmeister is an unassuming English teacher at Columbus Technical College."Cho Cold" is a brawling roller derby skater.And both inhabit the same slight, brunette frame.Holzmeister began her journey to becoming "Cho Cold" after a few years of boredom in Auburn."(When I got into roller derby), it was a total whim," Holzmeister said.

Third in a Series: 'I Will Not Do it Again'

By Ellison Langford / News Editor | February 25

Suihan Wu had just finished having coffee at Cambridge Coffee with some friends. It was close to 6 p.m. on March 25, 2009, and she was walking toward the library because she had a test she needed to study for.

Toomer's Ten keeps on rolling

By Drew Thompson / ASSISTANT CAMPUS EDITOR | February 25

Free rides from Wednesday through Saturday night are being offered by the Toomer's Ten transit system."We run a charter for the SGA," said Rex Huffman, manager of transit services at Auburn University.

Student makes meal plan change

By Maxwell Newfield / ASSOCIATE CAMPUS EDITOR | February 25

With more than a dozen options for food on campus, it can be hard to imagine someone not having enough options for their daily meals, but it does happen.Sometimes, a student may not want any of the food available on campus because they have exhausted the variety of what they eat.In other cases, a student may run out of options because they have a restricted diet due to health concerns.

Ala. cities lead recession recovery

By Derek Lacey / WRITER | February 25

Alabama, along with 14 other states, is actively recovering from the recession, according to a report compiled by Moody's Economy.comMississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, Tennessee, Kentucky and South Carolina were also listed as recovering.There were 34 states listed as moderating.

Bills offer job, tax incentives

By Daniel Chesser / ASSOCIATE NEWS EDITOR | February 25

Two bills are being proposed by Gov. Bob Riley that will address tax credits and job creation.According to the 2010 State of the State address, Riley proposed these bills a year ago and they were declined.Riley said the House Education Appropriation Committee is stalling reintroduction of these bills."They are not being held up," said Democratic Rep.

Genetic tests may affect birth rate

By Laura Maxwell / ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR | February 25

Many inherited diseases seem to becoming less prevalent as a result of genetic testing, according to research by the Associated Press.However, an article about the research said this might be because many women terminate pregnancies when they discover their child will have a disease.A bill sponsored by Sen.

ComPlan2030 plans land use, transportation

By Laura Maxwell / ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR | February 25

"Great places are not created by accident" is the theme for CompPlan 2030.It was on a PowerPoint presentation at Tuesday's city council meeting.CompPlan 2030 is a plan for land use and transportation for Auburn.Right now, the project is in the "issues and needs identification" phase, meaning it is trying to gather input from the community and learn what problems need to be addressed.This is the first long range comprehensive plan in the area in more than 10 years.Input has been gathered from two public meetings and a focus group of students at Auburn High School.More than 120 people have contributed ideas for new and, hopefully, improved transportation plans for the greater Auburn area.Justin Steinmann, the project manager, overviewed the results of public input at the meeting Tuesday night.The top six categories citizens' imagined for the best possible Auburn fell under were transportation choices, workability, character, heritage, connectivity and parks and open space.Furthermore, Steinmann said potential challenges include planning and development, infrastructure, growth management, environmental sustainability, housing and the character of Auburn.

Strikes, spares benefit boys, girls

By Daniel Chesser / ASSOCIATE NEWS EDITOR | February 25

Adults gathered to roll some rocks and raise funds for charity Friday afternoon.Auburn Lanes bowling alley held the 3rd Annual Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Lee County Bowling Tournament Feb 19."Everybody does golf tournaments, 5-K's and 10-K's," said Alex Muncie, chairman of the event.

Sustainable beans brew in new venue

By Crystal Cole / STAFF REPORTER | February 25

Mama Mocha is now serving coffee to The Plains with a double shot of sustainability.Sarah Barnett opened Mama Mocha's beanery inside the Gnu's Room Saturday.