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New Carmike Cinemas in the works for Opelika

By Max Newfield / Staff Writer | August 28

Cinema buffs in Opelika now have another opening day to mark in their calendars.Last week, Carmike Cinemas Inc. announced their plans to build a new movie theater in Opelika at the intersection of Exit 58 of Interstate 85 and Highway 280 across the interstate from Tiger Town."We expect it to be another jewel in the crown that is Opelika," said Al Cook, director of Economic Development in Opelika.The future site of the cinema is in the Capps Landing development, which currently holds a Hampton Inn and a Holiday Inn Express.

Developer to Build 'Convenient' Parking Deck

By Brittany Cosby/Campus Editor | August 27

The main complaint of students with the beginning of each school year continues to be parking on campus. As Auburn's campus progresses with the new dorms and new coliseum, parking decreases.The University does provide some parking and operates on a successful transit system, but one group of investors wants to simplify it further.The businessmen of Donald H. Allen Development Inc. have decided to provide another option for students and faculty to fix this growing problem.

SGA Implements Transit Program

By Blake Hamilton/Associate Campus Editor | August 27

The "Toomer's Ten" Late Night Lines of the Tiger Transit system have made a splash among the student body.

Village Opens With Problems

By Brittany Cosby/Campus Editor | August 27

The Village residence halls finally opened their doors to students as promised at the beginning of this semester Aug.

New Beers Debut in Auburn Restaurants

By Aubrie Davis/Staff Writer | August 27

The Gourmet Beer Bill that passed in May 2009 raised the alcohol by volume restriction from 6 percent to 13.9 percent so high gravity beers can be sold in convenience stores, liquor stores and bars.However, Free the Hops, the organization that was so instrumental in getting the bill passed, is now looking to tackle Alabama's restrictions on container size, brewery location and beer distribution.Free The Hops: Alabamians For Specialty Beer is a non-profit organization aimed at bringing quality beers to Alabama.FTH began in 2004 by Alabamians not involved in the alcohol industry.

Special Olympics Pushes Its Campaign to End the "R-Word"

By Michael Hansberry/Staff Writer | August 27

"That's retarded."It's such a commonly-used phrase that most people don't even notice how often they use it.But, what some people may not realize is those words can adversely affect others.This past March, the Special Olympics began an international "Spread the word to end the word" campaign to raise awareness "of the impact of the thoughtless, hurtful use of the word 'retard,'" said the campaign's Web site."The campaign's goal is to help change attitudes across the nation about special Olympians, and also those with special needs," said Allison Hall, director of the Lee County Special Olympics program.

Health Care Changes for Students

By Kendra Kelley/Assistant News Editor | August 27

Some college students are likely to be impacted by President Barack Obama's new health care plan.Full-time students who are 26 years old and younger will be covered under the new health care insurance policy.According to CNN's Truth Squad, young adults in low-income families lose Medicaid when they turn 19.In the House and Senate proposals, people in their 20s could also receive Medicaid.The Affordable Health Choices Act, passed by the Senate's Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee allows coverage for students under their parents' private insurance policies up to age 26.The Obama administration's health care overhaul, consists of proposals that would provide coverage for full-time students who, under current laws, would be dropped from their parents' insurance plans at 25."A benefit of Obama's proposed health care plan is that it provides regular checkups, up-to-date vaccinations and diabetes regulation," said Dr. Frederick Kam, director of the Auburn University Medical Clinic."I have been in business for a while, and I sell health care insurance to maybe four or five students a month," said Jerry Powell, an independent insurance agent.

More Women Being Arrested for Driving While Drunk

By Helen Northcutt / INTRIGUE EDITOR | August 27

For years women have been criticized and stereotyped for their alleged poor driving skills.Now in response to a Labor Day law enforcement campaign, a new study shows the number of DUIs given to women have increased by 30 percent over the past decade.According to the campaign "Over the Limit, Under Arrest," driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is one of the most common, and deadliest, offenses.CNN reports that, even though men still out-number women 4-to-1 when it comes to arrests for driving while under the influence, the increase in women's DUI arrests has skyrocketed over the past decade by 30 percent.The Alabama DUI laws consider someone driving with a blood alcohol level of .08 percent or more as breaking the law.

Life Expectancy Rises in U.S.

By Kate Davis/Staff Writer | August 27

As life expectancy in the U.S. reaches an all-time high, unexpected problems associated with a healthy, long-living nation are starting to arise.In the 2009 report by the U.S.

230 mpg: GM's Volt Shockingly Fuel Efficient

By Sam Solomon / Associate News Editor | August 27

Two hundred thirty miles per gallon. No, that is not a typo.Hybrid technology may be coming out as a strong alternative to cars powered solely by gas, but some are looking in a new direction.General Motors has been working on a extended-range electric vehicle named 'Volt,' which will appear as part of the Chevrolet line.What makes the Volt unusual is its electric motor which directly propels the vehicle, and the secondary gas engine which serves as a generator to charge the battery.This allows the Volt to succeed where previous electric cars have failed, as the gas generator will allow the car to travel far beyond the battery's range.According to the Volt's Web site, under the Environmental Protection Agency's current hybrid fuel efficiency ratings the Volt will get an estimated 230 miles per gallon.

Quadruple the Auburn Spirit

By Ellison Langford/News Editor | August 25

It's not unusual to meet siblings who are at Auburn together. What is unusual is to meet quadruplets.

Auburn Running Back, Eric Smith, Arrested

By Abby Albright/Sports Editor | August 21

Auburn sophomore running back Eric Smith, 19, was arrested this morning for misdemeanor disorderly conduct.According to the police report, the arrest happened at 1:42 a.m.

6 Possible Swine Flu Cases Reported by Auburn Medical Clinic

By Lindsey Grubbs/Staff Writer | August 20

Six cases of the possible H1N1 flu virus were reported by the Auburn University Medical Clinic Aug. 19. With the influx of people arriving to Auburn University for football season, medical professionals are anticipating more positive identifications for the H1N1 virus in the Auburn-Opelika area.

Colonial BancGroup Failure is Largest of 2009

By Ellison Langford / News Editor | August 14

Colonial BancGroup became subject to the fifth-largest takeover of a U.S. bank, and the year's largest bank failure Friday, Aug. 14. It was seized by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and sold to BB&T Corp.

Conservative budget allows expanding city projects

By Sam Solomon / Associate News Editor | August 14

The Auburn City Council held its Mid-Biennium Budget Review on August 12 to amend the original 2009-2010 budget, and plan for future spending. Charles Duggan , Auburn city manager, discussed that despite the nation's weak economy Auburn has fared well in comparison to other small cities. This in part to a conservative budget, and the stabilizing prescience of Auburn Un

Downtown's Parking Meters Off Until Class Starts

By Ellison Langford / News Editor | August 11

Those heading downtown this week to drown their sorrows over the end of summer have a least one thing to celebrate--they don't need to worry about scrounging quarters for parking.The City has put those pesky, gray coin gobblers that contribute to the City's General Fund, paying for things like schools, public services and infrastructure, out of commission until Monday the 17th.

AU missing student returns home

By Patrick Dever / Sports Editor | July 31

Auburn University student Michael Harrie, missing since July 16 in Thailand, has been found and is on his way home."The University was notified by Harrie's parents that investigators learned from Thailand immigration that Harrie had exited the country," said Chance Corbett, associate director of emergency management.Corbett said the University has been working with the Harrie family and will continue to help them until everything is figured out."We are here to help the parents and family in any way that we can," Corbett said.Harrie was supposed to meet his parents in Tokyo July 16 after going on a sight-seeing trip to Bangkok, Thailand.Thailand immigration authorities reported that Harrie left July 29 en route to the United States.His parents have been in California since their trip to Tokyo waiting for the 29-year-old southern California native's return.

Sarah Newton was Appointed as the President Pro Tempore of the Auburn Board of Trustees

By Holly Hereth/Staff Writer | July 28

Auburn Board of Trustee member Sarah Newton was appointed as the president pro tempore of the Auburn Board of Trustees for the 2009-2010 academic lead the Board in its affairs in the absence of Governor Bob Riley, the president of the Board."I want to use this time to promote Auburn," Newton said.