Murray voters pass alcohol referendum Alexis Love sets sights on Rio, 2B
The Murray State News Aug. 24, 2012
thenews.org
Vol. 88, No. 2
COMING SOON (ready or not)
Walker in court again after acquittal Defendent responds to tampering with evidence charges Meghann Anderson Assistant News Editor
first-time and repeat DUI offenders. “I think that in terms of availability, more parties will be able to purchase more alcohol, and as the party continues, and as they get low, rather than running to Mayfield, Paducah or Paris, they'll be able to drive to Walmart or some nearby liquor store,” Stevens said. “Those that might have been deterred from driving drunk for twenty to thirty minutes will probably be far more likely to drive drunk for five or ten minutes.” Don Robertson, vice president of Student Affairs, however, doesn’t believe the easier accessibility will play a major role in campus problems with alcohol. “It was already only seven or eight miles away; now it’s just a little more convenient,” Robertson said. “You still have to be 21, but if you were going to get someone older to buy it because you were underage, you could’ve already done that, so I don’t see it making that much of a bigger difference. They thought that when we went (moist in 2000) it would be an issue but that didn’t happen either.” Bonnie Higginson, vice president of Academic Affairs, was in agreement, but said the University would maintain a watchful
Jerry Wayne Walker Jr., appeared in Calloway County Circuit Court Aug. 13, for the third time after recently being acquitted of charges in connection to a fatal 1998 residential college fire at Murray State. W a l k e r pleaded not guilty to charges Jerry Walker Jr. of tampering with evidence in connection to the case. The fire resulted in the death of Florida student Michael Minger and injury to Paducah student Michael Priddy in September of 1998. Marshall County Judge Dennis Foust set a hearing for 1 p.m. on Sept. 7, after Walker entered his plea to charges of six counts of tampering with evidence. A Marshall County jury acquitted Walker last month of setting the 1998 fire in Hester Hall at Murray State. The new charges were sealed and not included in the previous trial, after a Calloway County grand jury indicted Walker in June. Commonwealth Attorney Mark Blankenship said the charges relate to letters used as evidence at the trial in Benton, Ky. The charges also brought a response from Walker’s defense team Monday. Richard Null, Walker’s defense attorney, said he was pleased when Walker was acquitted of all charges earlier this month. “In a nut shell, they brought the charges, and we filed a motion the judge set it for a hearing,” he said. “I think the outcome should be the charges be dropped, and we feel like our chances our good.” Null also said he was pleased Murray State installed sprinkler
see ALCOHOL, 3A
see WALKER, 3A
Kylie Townsend/The News
Officials are keeping a watchful eye on local government as the city braces for a full expansion of alcohol licensing.
University reflects after alcohol decision Alcohol
Edward Marlowe Staff writer For years, students have returned to Murray State knowing they would have to “run south” in order to purchase their alcoholic partying supplies as the semester moved forward. Mac’s South-of-the-Border Beer Store in Puryear, Tenn., and Westwood Liquors in Paris, Tenn., have often been the lynchpins for catering throw-downs, back-to-school parties, end-of-semester castoffs, socials, mixers and other gatherings. However, on July 17, after months of lobbying from both sides, the citizens of Murray struck down decades of local ordinance and passed a local option vote allowing distribution of packaged liquor within the city limits. The vote passed 53 percent “yes” to 47 percent “no” with a 35 percent voter turnout rate. While people may still head south for Cosmo’s or 641 Club in Puryear for old time’s sake, buying liquor and beer will soon be as easy as driving five minutes to a vendor in Murray. Per the Student Life Handbook, by which every student must abide, Murray State prohibits the use or possession of alcoholic beverages in residential colleges. Students are not permitted to possess, for
the University any reason, containers of alcohol (kegs, bottles, cans or beer bongs) empty or full, in the Residential Colleges or College Courts. Even though the rules surrounding the campus are changing, Murray State will continue to employ a zero-tolerance policy on beer and alcohol, a policy held since 1922. This means venues such as the CFSB Center and Roy Stewart Stadium, which host popular sporting and musical events throughout the year, currently disallow alcohol and will not be permitted to sell alcoholic beverages to patrons as they are located on campus and governed by University regulations. One major area of concern is the immediacy in which alcohol will be available to students in the area, who by as early as October can run to the gas station nearest them to pick up a six-pack. Lowell Stevens, junior from Murray, said he believed the ready availability could pose problems for the local area if not monitored effectively and met with a strict policy on drunk driving in order to deter
Racer Band reports record numbers Alex Berg Staff writer The Murray State Racer Band topped off the start of school with a record number of interested students, breaking its previous high of 244 members by more than 50 – at 310. On Aug. 15, the number broke the previous record held for more than 30 years. “We had a great retention rate from last year. Approximately 185 out of 244 members returned from last year’s group,” said assistant director of bands John Fannin. Fannin said the large retention rate and growth of this year’s band is mainly due to the band’s major performances throughout the season. He said many members want to return to perform at competitions such as Bands of America’s Marching Band Grand National Championship, which will be held
Nov. 7 - 10 in the famous Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. At the event, the Racer Band will perform in an exhibition in front of 90 high school bands and thousands of spectators. Fannin said being the premier event at a competition such as this, for a band member, is like performing at the Super Bowl. Fannin also said the band’s recruitment performances at several high schools in the area, the media attention received at the Festival of Champions competition and the members themselves do a great job of recruiting and replacing positions. Bailey Boyd, senior from Murray, said some difficulties exist for large groups. “The large number of members will make it more difficult to play together, but it will also make a bigger and better sound,” she said. Ryan Knight, president of Racer Band and native of Benton Ill., said the band is the best possible
representation of Murray State. “We are a community that learns together and supports each other, continuously raising the bar for ourselves,” he said. The high number of members this year raised the bar for the band as it created some, what Fannin called, logistical drama. Uniforms posed the greatest logistical problem. Each uniform is custom-made and takes 150 days to make. Each member has their own size, and it creates the possibility of wardrobe problems. However, other necessities such as instruments are more easily compensated. Despite the small logistical trifles, Don Robertson, vice president of Student Affairs, said the large number of members is a tremendous asset to the University because it enhances campus life and spirit. Contact Berg at aberg1 @murraystate.edu.
Michelle Girmaud/Contributing photographer
Students perform on the steps of Lovett Auditorium Sunday, in front of a crowd of about 300 people.
WHAT’S
BASKETBALL FACILITY
PROFESSOR’S WELCOME NEW FACES
CAMPUS REALITIES
INSIDE
Contractors still on schedule for January exhibition, 6A
Bolin challenges students to enjoy Murray State careers, 5A
Tradition continues to entertain, inform freshman students, 5B
Football transfers bring bigschool experience , 1B