Q: What became of the fanatic Alabama fan who poisoned Auburn’s oak trees a few years ago? Is he allowed to visit Auburn’s campus?
— William McKee Jr., Flowery Branch
A: Harvey Updyke Jr. pleaded guilty to criminal damage of an agricultural facility in March, and last month, he was ordered to pay nearly $800,000 for poisoning the 130-year-old Toomer's Oaks in 2010. He was sentenced to a three-year split sentence, including six months in jail, but he was released on June 10, after 76 days, the Auburn-Opelika News reported. Updyke, who was to begin paying $500 a month in restitution on Dec. 1, also is on probation for five years, and is banned from attending any college athletic event and from Auburn's campus. He left for Louisiana when he was released from Opelika's Lee County Detention Facility.
Q: It was implied in a recent blog that several Cobb County commissioners bought land around the area of the proposed new Braves complex. This would seem to be a huge conflict of interest, and something the public should know about. Is there any truth to this?
— Jim Watson, Marietta
A: Cobb Commission Chairman Tim Lee, Brooks Mathis, the vice president of economic development for the Cobb County Chamber of Commerce, and James Pehrson, the county's finance manager, have said they were the only Cobb officials in discussions with the Braves regarding the new stadium, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution has reported. Several area properties, including three hotels, were bought in the months leading up to the stadium announcement, most by "limited liability companies whose partners and backers are not public record," the article stated.
Andy Johnston wrote this column. Do you have a question about the news? We’ll try to get the answer. Call 404-222-2002 or email q&a@ajc.com (include name, phone and city).
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