Sex in the Classic City: Enjoying the freedom the single life offers

I'm really enjoying writing these Sex in the Classic City columns for the opinions page. They're easy to write and I can add some of my personality to my writing — something I'm not used to doing with news writing.

My third installment is about enjoying the freedoms that come along with the single life. As I've mentioned in my previous two columns, I have recently (March is fairly recent, right?) ended a two-year relationship, so I'm still getting used to life as a single person. I've enjoyed it so far and thought I'd share my opinions on why being single isn't such a bad thing right now.

As my Facebook mini-feed is bombarded with status updates of "ENGAGED!!!!" and my mail is slowly filling with wedding invites, it seemed a proper time to let the land of the single know they're not alone.

Click here to read my take on being single in the Classic City.

DECKS IN DOUBT: Atlanta parking deck collapse spawns investigation on campus

I'm not afraid to admit I am proud of this article. It was a classic "fly by the seat of my pants" example.

I arrived at the paper around noon on Wednesday, ready to do my managing editor's job of deciding where to put each of our articles in the paper for Thursday. We discussed in Tuesday's budget meeting we'd have a story about parking and tie in the new parking decks in light of Monday's parking deck collapse in Atlanta. The same construction company that built the Atlanta Centergy One deck is now building two parking decks on campus at the University of Georgia.

I checked in with the news editor to see how all our stories are coming along and he tells me we're going to make the parking deck story separate from the downtown parking story, which is fine by me. But our news editor was swamped and it being summer, we have few news writers we can call at a moment's notice to quickly turn around a story — especially one of this caliber.

So I offered to take the story. In a matter of hours — somewhere between three and four — I was able to do all my research, interviews and write the article, all while also doing my job as managing editor. It was an intense afternoon, but I am so pleased with the results.

And after that huge buildup, click here to read my article about how Monday's parking deck collapse in Atlanta is affecting UGA.

*Photo credit: Waites Laseter, photo editor of The Red & Black

Student accused of felony shoplifting at clothing store

Well it's been awhile since I've written a crime story, but it's like riding a bike — you never forget how to do it. (Or something along those lines, at least)

We had a student at UGA who was arrested and charged with felony theft by shoplifting after a worker at a downtown clothing store suspected her and another man of taking nearly $700 in items.

Click here to read my article on the incident. You can also check out her mug shot and the police incident report.

Sex in the Classic City: The rules to a successful summer romance

It's that time of year again — when the humidity is high and our hormones are racing.

And I thought it was about time to share my opinions on how to keep that summer romance alive. So click here to read my column on the "rules" to a successful summer romance.

Sex in the Classic City: Consideration is always acknowledged

I have been meaning to write an opinion piece for a while, but with all the responsibility of the administration beat and staying on top of my classes in the spring, it just kept getting pushed to the wayside.

But now that it's summertime and I have more time on my hands — not to mention an obligation to the paper as the managing editor to make sure we have columns on our opinions page — I've finally gotten my name, and my mug, on page six.

Click here to read my first column. It's about dating, consideration and giving up your seat on the bus.

BOR approves expansion of Butts-Mehre, new professorships

The Board of Regents met June 10 for their monthly gathering and approved requests from the University of Georgia to expand and renovate the Butts-Mehre Building. The Butts-Mehre Heritage Hall is home to the University's trophies and awards. It serves as a museum and administrative center for the University's athletic activities.

The Regents also approved requests to establish nine new professorships at the University.

Click here to read more about the June 10 Board of Regents meeting.

*Photo courtesy of The Red & Black archives

Univ. searches for Zinkhan's replacement

First paper of the summer semester was a success. We had the expected glitches and setbacks, but all-in-all, I think everything went well.

My first night officially as managing editor was a little nerve wracking, just because I didn't want to mess anything up. But I think I did a good job and I think things will run more smoothly next week and will continue to get easier as the summer progresses.

The news editor and I teamed up for a story on how UGA plans to fill the vacant position left by George Zinkhan. It was difficult to get in touch with all the parties needed to give us a coherent answer, but we pulled through and I'm happy with the finished product.

Click here to read what UGA plans to do about filling Zinkhan's position as the Coca-Cola Co. Chair of Marketing.

Daylong manhunt yields no Zinkhan, more questions

I can now say that I have not only covered national news once, but twice. And today's was breaking news.

Police found George Zinkhan's 2005 Jeep Liberty late yesterday and spent the entire day today canvassing the area where it was found — about 2 miles from his home.

I was covering the happenings alongside reporters from the Associated Press, USA Today, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Athens Banner-Herald, WSBTV, CBS, FOX News and a few others. It is unfortunate that in journalism the biggest tragedies cause the best stories, but I'm glad I've had the opportunity to get such great experience covering news as it happens.

Click here to read my article based on in-the-field updates of the George Zinkhan manhunt.

Now for my photos, taken with my phone so the quality isn't the greatest:

Bruce 'binding force' to theater

This is such a sad story and it's one that is affecting so many people in the Athens, Ga., community. On Sunday I visited with Marie Bruce's neighbors and spoke to them about how they remembered her.

Click here to read the obituary I wrote for Marie Bruce, who was killed Saturday afternoon at the Athens Community Theater.

*Photo from ajc.com

Athens shooting: my amateur photography

As many have already reported, there was a triple homicide yesterday around noon in Athens, Ga. The suspected shooter has been identified as George Zinkhan, a University of Georgia marketing and distribution professor.

Three people died in the shooting at the Athens Community Theater. They were Marie Bruce, Tom Tanner and Ben Teague.

During the time of the incident, I was visiting a friend in Kennesaw and I received an urgent text message from The Red & Black's editor-in-chief calling all reporters to help. I was able to get back to Athens, but not in time to do much in the way of reporting that day.

Today, a group of Red & Black reporters gathered in the news room and discussed what our coverage of this event would look like for the rest of the week. My assignment was to write an obituary for Marie Bruce, George Zinkhan's wife. Accompanied by a few fellow staffers, I went to the neighborhood and spoke to her former neighbors.

Here is some of the amateur photos I took while on the scene: