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State Pays Income Tax Refunds as New Tax Season Begins

By Daniel Chesser / ASSOCIATE NEWS EDITOR | January 21

A new year brings two things to the minds of Americans: resolutions that won't be kept and filing taxes before April 15.As a new tax season begins, the state of Alabama can see the light at the end of the "income tax refunds from 2008" tunnel.The economy and the recession are the reason for the slow returns on refunds this fiscal year.One of those delayed refunds belonged to Ray Gabriel of Gulf Shores."The department of revenue told me my refund was approved, but they don't have any money," Gabriel said.He was one of the 11,774 taxpayers who were still waiting for their income tax refunds at the beginning of 2010.Gabriel said he received his refund Jan.

MLK Week: Darden House is Symbol for Opelika

By Ellison Langford / News Editor | January 21

The white-washed boards and shutters of a building often house more than just the family who lives inside it.It can house the inspiration of a community.The hope of a people.One such edifice is the Dr. John W.

'The Pit' Closes Permanently

By Drew Thompson / ASSISTANT CAMPUS EDITOR | January 21

The B-zone Petrie Lot, commonly referred to as "the pit" is permanently closed and covered with construction workers and equipment.The pit is located north of Jordan-Hare Stadium between the stadium and Petrie Hall."The lot is permanently closed and Duncan will be relocated," said David Vedder, manager of parking services.The lot is closed because the Tiger Transit route takes the busses down Duncan Drive and left on West Thatch Avenue. "The angle is too steep for buses right now," Vedder said.The pit will be filled in and a new transit route will be paved with an outlet on South Donahue Drive.Parking services plans for a more level road for the busses to exit from the Transit station without a hill to climb.When the project is completed, the remaining section of West Thatch Avenue will be turned into a pedestrian walkway.For more information, call the Parking Services' office at 844-4143.

Society Teaches Barbecue Judging

By Ben Bartley / COPY EDITOR | January 21

First rule of barbecue judging: love barbecue in all its forms -- ribs, pulled pork, brisket, chicken.Palates were tested and paper towels devastated Saturday at The Auburn Hotel and Dixon Conference Center during the Kansas City Barbecue Society Certified BBQ Judging Class.When completed, the class, which costs $65 for Kansas City Barbecue Society members and $95 for non-members, gives graduates the opportunity to judge KCBS contests.Ron Harwell of Trinity said he has been a member of KCBS since 1992 and a certified instructor since 1996.Harwell was the lead instructor for the Auburn class."It happens to be the largest (barbecue society)," Harwell said.

NEWS ALERT: Unknown Suspect Robs Bank Trust

By Ellison Langford / News Editor | January 14

The Bank Trust branch on North Dean Road was robbed Wednesday afternoon.An Auburn Police Department police report said the suspect was armed with a semi-automatic handgun and stole an undisclosed amount of cash.

Cupcakes Make a Bang at Taylor's Bakery

By Ellison Langford / News Editor | January 12

Love Potion #9.Tiramisu.The two are often part of a solid beginning for a romantic evening. But at Taylor's Bakery, they're part of the more than 20 flavors that make up Cupcake Explosion.Cupcake Explosion is held once in May, October and January each year. For the May and October Events the bakery churns out 120 dozen cupcakes, but scales back to 50 dozen in January.

Welcome Back Issue Available for Auburn Readers

January 11

The Welcome Back Issue is now available at various locations around campus for Auburn University students, faculty and staff.The first spring edition of The Auburn Plainsman will be published Jan.

Auburn Triumphs Over Northwestern in Outback Bowl

By Nick Van Der Linden / ASSOCIATE SPORTS EDITOR | January 1

In what was arguably one of the most exciting Bowl games of the season, it was Auburn (8-5) do the proper record SEC, whatever that came out on top with a 38-35 overtime thrillerover the Northwestern University Wildcats (8-5) in Raymond James Stadium."People certainly got their money's worth," said Auburn head coach Gene Chizik. "I've been in some wild games, ones that come down to the end numerous times; games where you don't know what is happening. Was he down? Was he not down? This was certainly one of them."

Auburn's Outback Bowl Activities

By Rod Guajardo/ MANAGING EDITOR | December 23

Bowl games offer fans a chance to visit and interact with new locations and give them one last chance to cheer on their team.While bowl games offer fans a chance to expand their tailgating range, the teams are often invited to outings and events as a reward for their hard work and dedication.Wonder what the Auburn football players will be up to during their stay in Tampa?Various events for both teams will be held throughout the week.Auburn will arrive in Tampa Saturday, Dec.

Auburn Confident on the Road to Tampa

By Nick Van Der Linden / ASSOCIATE SPORTS EDITOR | December 16

The Auburn Tigers (7-5) continued their bowl preparations today with a practice in full pads that ran a little over two hours."We had a good practice today," said head coach Gene Chizik. "We had good preparation and we were kind of rusty, but overall it was a very active practice."

Tigers Begin Preparation for Bowl

By Patrick Dever / Assistant Sports Editor | December 12

Rain caused the Auburn University football team (7-5, 3-5 SEC) to practice inside Saturday.It was the Tigers' first practice in preparation for the Outback Bowl against the Northwestern University Wildcats (8-4, 5-3 Big Ten) Jan 1.

Auburn Employees File Lawsuit Over Unequal Pay

By Ellison Langford / News Editor | December 8

A class action lawsuit is being filed against Auburn University on behalf of a group of black building services workers who allege they are being paid less than white workers in their department.The black employees are being represented by City Councilman Arthur Dowdell and Julian McPhillips, a lawyer from Montgomery.

College Students are Turning to Food Stamps

By Michael Hansberry/ Staff Writer | December 8

In these trying economic times, more and more college students are turning to food stamps in order to save money.Tuition is constantly increasing at most universities across the nation and food costs are rising.Students are sometimes reduced to eating cheap and unhealthy meals because of a lack of funds in the bank account.College students are turning to food stamps to aid with their basic food needs.Some may say it's embarrassing to pay with food stamps, but those are the ones whose parent's are buying their groceries.Barry Spear, public information officer for the Department of Human said there are approximately 11,000 college students in Alabama receiving some type of food assistance.Senior in Elementary Education Cherelle Young has been using food stamps for the past three years, but was recently cut-off from the food assistance program because of recent unemployment.An upperclassman friend of hers told her about the program when she first started college.

Auburn FarmHouse Fraternity Placed on Suspension for Hazing Pledges

By Ellison Langford / News Editor | December 3

The Alpha Zeta chapter of FarmHouse was placed on suspension today after a hearing by the Fraternities and Sororities Committee.The suspension was one of a list of six sanctions the Office of Greek Life recommended be handed down to the chapter after it was alleged to have been hazing its pledges.

Alabama Clean Fuels Coalition is Designated Member of Clean Cities Program

By Ellison Langford / News Editor | December 3

The Alabama Clean Fuels Coalition has been designated as a member of the Clean Cities Program operated by the U.S.

Auburn Fraternity Party Brings Trouble

By Ellison Langford / News Editor | December 3

A rap party hosted by Sigma Chi was shut down by the Auburn Police Department Sunday morning.The Greek Life department was unsure as to why the event was shut down and had not received an incident report concerning the scene from the police department.One student was injured during the event and transported by ambulance to the hospital, said Capt.

Alabama Declares Bingo Machines Sham

By Samuel Solomon/ Associate News Editor | December 3

The Alabama Supreme Court ruled in favor of Gov. Bob Riley in a case involving the use of "electronic bingo" in Alabama."It's a sham, it's a complete sham," said Todd Stacy, press secretary for the governor, about electronic bingo.

Alabama Department of Environmental Management Gives Grant to Recycling Program

By Adam Smith / STAFF WRITER | December 3

The Alabama Department of Environmental Management reported the Alabama Recycling Fund Grants program has received grants totaling $1.1 million.The Alabama Recycling Fund was created after Gov.