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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.

Pay Bias May be Problem at University

By Ellison Langford / News Editor | December 3

A complaint has been lodged against the University that black employees in building services are being paid less than white workers with similar levels of experience.The University is aware of one employee having formally filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, said Mike Clardy, University spokesman.However, City Councilman Arthur Dowdell said he is representing between six and 10 employees who think they have been discriminated against by the University."It's clear with the records that we're going to show that blacks are being paid hundreds of dollars less than whites that work in the same position," Dowdell said.Dowdell said he has looked into University records and claims the figures clearly show black employees are being paid less than white employees.Dowdell said he thinks the issue of pay discrimination at the University is not isolated to the building services department.Dowdell said he had written the University about three weeks ago to notify it of the employees' demands; however, he has not been satisfied with the University's response. "They said that they had a team, affirmative action, in personnel that would look at this situation and they would get back in touch with me," Dowdell said.

Auburn Public Library Provides Incentives to Read

By Emily Clever/ Staff Writer | December 3

The Auburn Public Library provides incentives for children to read outside of school, through its seasonal reading programs.Registration for the winter reading program began Tuesday and will end Dec.

Fountain View Mansion Hosts Festive Tour

By Simpson Fletcher/ Staff Writer | December 3

Fountainview Mansion, on more than 100 acres near the Chewacla State Park, kicked off its first Season of Celebration last Saturday with its Season Gala Grand Opening Tour.Guests were greeted by owners Gary and Julie Klarenbeek and were offered warm pineapple cider and holiday refreshments as they toured the extensively decorated home.Guests also enjoyed the Auburn United Methodist Church hand bell choir, which played throughout the day.Nativity scenes, poinsettias, lights, garland, ornaments, angels, candles and almost 80 Christmas trees filled each hallway and room.Several rooms were themed.One room in particular paid tribute to Auburn with orange and blue lights adorning its garland and tree."There's so much gloom and doom this holiday season, I feel like," said Gary Klarenbeek.

Labor Department reports 600,000 people jobless

By David Crayton/ Staff Writer | November 21

A report released by the Labor Department shows jobless rates dropping as a result of workers not searching for jobs.The number of workers reported by the department is 600,000.According to the department, the jobless rates could rise while the economy is recovering and more people go back to seeking jobs. Housing and manufacturing jobs were hit the hardest with the jobless rates.

Sand and Santa at Auburn Village Mall

By Daniel Chesser/ Staff Writer | November 19

ungle creatures and North Pole inhabitants came to life in sand this weekend at the Village Mall.Sand Odyssey, a sand sculpting company, created a "Black Friday Bowl" scene in the Village Mall in front of Dillard's department store near the entrance of the mall.

SAE Fraternity Enforces Drug Tests

By Ellison Langford / News Editor | November 19

Sigma Alpha Epsilon is the first fraternity on Auburn's campus, and the first SAE chapter in the nation, to require its members to undergo drug testing.However, the fraternity is currently only testing officers, pledges and brothers who live in the house.

UAB, UAH Change Insurance Policy

By Ellison Langford / News Editor | November 19

The University of Alabama at Huntsville and the University of Alabama at Birmingham have changed their employee insurance policies, because some officials say the new policy will enable them to attract higher quality faculty to their staff.The new insurance policy extends coverage to an adult dependent that shares a primary residence with the covered UAH employee, has lived with the employee for at least 12 consecutive months and is not married, a relative or under 19. "We want to compete for the best minds in the country," said Ray Garner, director of public affairs at UAH.

Bancorp South showcases Opelika students' art

By Charley Gaines/ Staff Writer | November 19

Colorful pieces of artwork created by artists from Opelika City Schools were displayed in two branches of BancorpSouth.The art was displayed Nov.

Auburn City Council Meeting Summary for Nov. 17

By News Staff | November 19

City streets will be closed for the Iron Bowl Thanksgiving celebration Thursday, Nov. 26, 2009.The City Council approved $388,785 for sewer rehabilitation improvements.Worker's compensation was approved for Frank Gates Company.

$42,500 in Laptop Computers Stolen from Haley Center

By Samuel Solomon/ Associate News Editor | November 19

An estimated $42,500 in laptop computers was stolen from the Haley Center between Nov. 6 and Nov.

Santa Arrives at Village Mall for Christmas

By Mary-Glenn Smith/ Staff Writer | November 19

It's not even Thanksgiving yet, but Santa Claus has already arrived at Auburn's Village Mall.Santa, along with Mrs. Claus, arrived by horse and carriage at the mall's main entrance Friday at 7 p.m."I have been here since 1995 and Santa has been here every year I have been here," said Village Mall Marketing Director Terri Knight.