Look Back ... to a bump in the road toward an Auburn dog-training center, 1999

Bill Edwards, The Anniston Star, Ala.
·2 min read

Apr. 28—April 28, 1949, in The Star: Plans were being finalized today for the formal dedication tomorrow of Jacksonville College's new International House, one of the few buildings in the country devoted entirely to foreign students. The dedication service will be held at Bibb Graves Hall. Addresses will be made by Drew Pearson, the famed national newspaper columnist and radio commentator, and Sidney H. Scheuer, president of Profile Mills of Jacksonville. After his arrival tomorrow, Mr. Pearson will be brought to Anniston where he will write his daily column in the editorial offices of The Star. Also this date: Informed at a news conference that the Green triplets born two days ago at Anniston Memorial Hospital were given Truman family names, President Truman told a New York Times reporter that he "appreciated the honor very much."

April 28, 1999, in The Star: If bomb-sniffing dogs are going to be trained at Fort McClellan in the future, Auburn University still has some people to convince. But school officials said yesterday they aren't giving up on coming to Calhoun County. The Fort McClellan Development Joint Powers Authority voted 4-2 yesterday to reject a request by Auburn for 322 acres and the buildings thereon to set up a school to train dogs and their handlers. It wasn't Auburn's intention for the land that was a problem, but rather a procedural snag: If for some reason Auburn were to ever leave the land conveyed to it, then by rules now in place the acreage would go back to the U.S. Department of Education, not McClellan officials. Because Auburn wants so much property for its training school, JPA members see that as an objectionable issue. Also this date: The Committee of Unified Leadership presented Human Service awards to H. Brandt Ayers, chairman and publisher of this newspaper, and to the Sable Community Center at COUL's annual meeting yesterday morning. The awards recognize groups and individuals who have a positive effect on the community. Ayers was recognized for his efforts to improve the quality of education students get in Anniston's public schools. The Sable center was lauded for its after-school and summer programs for children.

Assistant Metro Editor Bill Edwards: 256-236-1551. On Twitter @bedwards_star.