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Carey Forrest “Bill” Elton Part One

Some time ago, the Messenger published a photo of the Gadsden National Guard band at Camp Blanding in Florida, which is located west of Jacksonville. The photo also appeared on Facebook some time back. Bill Elton was one of the few people who had his own car at Blanding, so he would sometimes loan the car to some of the

Croyle to take the reins at Big Oak Ranch

By Gene Stanley/Correspondent

Brodie Croyle thought he was in trouble right after he told his wife of his life plans.

However, it wasn’t tears of anger that Kelli Schutz Croyle was shedding – they were tears of joy.

“She told me that she had been waiting for the announcement for five years,” Brodie said. “She said that she and Dad (John Croyle) had

Attalla plans event on Second Saturday

The city of Attalla plans its monthly street festival for the Second Saturday for the second straight month.

Last month, the festival — previously held on the first Saturday of each month — was moved to the second weekend in the month to avoid conflict with Gasden’s Riverfest.

For the month of July, city leaders elected to have the event on the

Jelks presents second annual Kid’s Day event

By Donna Thornton/News Editor

Last summer Gene Jelks made his first effort to give back to the Gadsden Community with Kid’s Day, bringing entertainment and inspiration to young people in the city where he grew up.

Jelks’ Above Ground Ministries is presenting the 2nd Annual Kid’s Day Event July 13 at Gadsden City Stadium. The event will feature a football clinic from

Gadsden, Southside church youth spend week in service

By Donna Thornton/News Editor

Many people think of mission work as something that takes place in a foreign field, but young people from First United Methodist Church of Gadsden and Southside United Methodist Church recently worked on a Service Week largely within walking distance of the Gadsden church.

Youth Minister Andy Yarnell said it is the third year the youth group at

Local growers, fresh produce lovers, find meeting place

By Donna Thornton/News Editor

As the early summer harvests of fresh vegetables began to come in this month, local municipalities provided a place for farmers and customers to come together.

Farmer’s Markets throughout Etowah County give growers a place to sell their goods and local canners and cooks a place to turn for the freshest produce around, if they don’t grow it

Broad Street will be filled with food, fun and free entertainment

Downtown Gadsden Inc. invited everyone to let the festive feelings of the Fourth carry over and carry them downtown July 5 for First Friday. And the activities don’t have to stop there: First Saturday on Tuscaloosa Avenue invites vendors and visitors to enjoy a street festival, stretching from 9th Street to Carver Square, beginning at 1 p.m. Saturday (July 6).

Broad

Head on ballot for Coroner

Etowah County Deputy Coroner Michael (Mike) J. Head has announced his intention to run for the local Coroner’s post during the June 2014 primary.

Current coroner, Michael Gladden, has decided to run for another post and not seek re-election.

Head has served as Deputy Coroner during two administrations—eight years under former coroner, Bill Bragg and for the last five years under

Butler seeks District 30 seat

Following a special election victory in late 2012 to succeed former Rep. Blaine Galliher in House District 30, Rep. Mack Butler announced his intentions to seek a full term in the 2014 Election Cycle.  

A small businessman who placed an added emphasis on job creation and improving Alabama’s economy during the special election, Butler plans to continue to make those