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Auburn Signing Day 2010

By Staff reports | February 3

National Signing Day: Updates Every Hour with 2010 Football Recruits

Auburn Hotel Accepts Seven Seals Award

By Bree Bowen/ STAFF WRITER | February 1

The Hotel at Auburn University was honored by the Department of Defense Jan. 28 for its outstanding reinforcement of the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR).

University professor experiences Haiti disaster firsthand

By Maxwell Newfield / ASSOCIATE CAMPUS EDITOR | January 28

Jan. 12, a 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck the island nation of Haiti, with the epicenter 15 miles southwest of the nation's capital city, Port- au-Prince. The United States Geological Survey said the earthquake was the strongest in the area since 1860 and it killed over 110,000 people, according to Haiti's Interior Ministry.

Alabama Elected Officials Hit the Textbooks

By Anna Schierholz / WRITER | January 28

Alabama elected officials will be heading back to the classroom for mandatory ethics training because of a bill passed by a House committee.Legislators, mayors, city council members, lobbyists and county commissioners will be some of the officials required to attend the training classes.The House Judiciary Committee approved the bill presented by Rep.

Program attempts to 'Scale Back Alabama'

By Jake Mastroianni / WRITER | January 28

For those who have made weight loss one of their New Year's resolutions, Scale Back Alabama may be able to help.Until tomorrow, people can go to various locations to weigh in and enter into the contest. This is the fourth year Alabama has conducted the program and representatives say its success grows each year

Obama's First State of The Union Address

By Jillian Clair / STAFF REPORTER | January 28

President Barack Obama gave his first State of the Union address Jan. 27.Obama focused on economic reform, innovation and bipartisan cooperation.Obama acknowledged the unpopularity of the bank bailout, but said it was necessary to keep the nation from going further into recession.

Cake, lace, flowers

By Laura Maxwell / ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR | January 28

Call it a passion. Call it an obsession. Call it wedding planning. Those planning their bigday had plenty to be passionate about and obsess over Saturday at the Qantum Communications bridal expo at the Auburn University Hotel and Conference Center.

Prometric offers business students exam

By Crystal Cole / STAFF WRITER | January 28

The days of sitting in a classroom all semester and stressing over homework may be long gone with the release of Prometric's 38th DSST Credit by Exam subject in Business Ethics and Society.Jodi Katz, public relations manager for Prometric, said the exams are an alternative, flexible path to learning."A lot of time adults that go back to school don't have the time to sit in a classroom for a full semester," Katz said.

Taxis blame bus service

By Daniel Chesser / ASSOCIATE NEWS EDITOR | January 28

The black and yellow truth about taxis in Auburn is bar-hoppers are choosing an alternative to doling out dollars for a lift home.Instead of taking taxis, students are using the free Toomer's Ten bus system to get home, organized by the SGA, after a night at the bars.SGA said it organized the bus system to give students a way to avoid drinking and driving.But, while this service is free, it does not come without consequences.

Grant funds 'green' jobs

By Patrick Dever / ASSOCIATE SPORTS EDITOR | January 28

The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs was awarded a $6 million grant for "green" job training and establishing the Alabama Energy Sector Partnership program."This grant not only will help Alabamians reduce energy costs, it also will provide employment opportunities for many residents," said ADECA Director Doni Ingram in a press release Jan.

Committee passes PACT bill Tuesday

By Daniel Chesser / ASSOCIATE NEWS EDITOR | January 28

The Senate Fiscal Responsibility and Accountability Committee met Tuesday to vote on a PACT program bailout for 45,000 remaining unfulfilled contracts.The committee voted 10-0 for the plan.Sen.

City of Auburn updates flood insurance maps

By Derek Lacey / WRITER | January 28

For the first time since 1993, Auburn's Flood Insurance Rate Maps are being updated.FIRMs are used to determine flood insurance rates and requirements through the National Flood Insurance Program.The NFIP uses FIRMs to decide which residents require flood insurance by locating floodplain zones.FEMA is leading a Congress-initiated effort to update the FIRMs of over 20,000 communities, including Lee County.FEMA could not be reached for comment."The updated maps will provide Auburn residents with a resource to more accurately determine flood risk," according to an Auburn City press release.The updated maps will likely change floodplain zones, meaning buildings that aren't in zones requiring insurance on the current maps, may be required to have flood insurance with the new ones.The Auburn assistant city engineer, Brett Peterson, said the maps will be updated with new hydrology and terrain information using aerial photography technology and computer software for modeling.Lisa Simpson, mapping specialist for the City of Auburn, said the maps will be upgraded by mea- suring elevation at 2-foot contours instead of the 10-foot contours of the old maps, which will make them more specific.

Ordnance receives honors before deploying to Iraq

By Jake Mastroianni / WRITER | January 28

In front of a full Opelika High School Gymnasium, the heroes of the 111th Ordnance were honored by friends and family on Sunday afternoon.The group will be deploying for Iraq around Feb.

House Reviews Casino Amnesty Bill

By Jillian Clair/ Staff Writer | January 25

The House Tourism and Travel Committee approved a bill Jan. 20 which would provide casinos amnesty from all taxes, criminal prosecution and civil lawsuits. The bill would also allow casinos to be operated anywhere in Alabama.

MLK Week: Alumnus Recalls First Step

By Blake Hamilton / ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR | January 21

If one were to dig up an issue of The Plainsman from early 1964, one would find a story describing Jan.

Auburn City Construction Affects Wire Road Traffic

By Patrick Dever / ASSOCIATE SPORTS EDITOR | January 21

The bridge on Wire Road crossing over Choctafaula Creek is being replaced this spring to meet regulations for safety.Project manager Bryan Wood said the replacement, which began Jan.

City Council Authorizes Resurfacing

By Laura Maxwell / ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR | January 21

During its Jan. 19 meeting, the city council announced a list of expenses that will be going toward improving the city.Mayor Bill Hamm authorized $1,245,375 to go toward resurfacing various streets."The planning commission would have to look at it and take a vote and it takes the majority vote to get it up to us," said council member Arthur Dowdell.

Residents Run, Walk for Cancer Center

By Jessica Shaddix / WRITER | January 21

On your mark.Get set.Race toward cancer awareness.The 10th Auburn Classic Half Marathon was held Saturday, Jan.