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The U.S. Chamber and Auburn raise glasses to Back Forty Beer Company

By Lindsay Seagraves

Messenger Correspondent

Just when Back Forty Beer Company founder Jason Wilson thought he’d reached the top of the mountain after winning a spot as one of the top 100 small businesses in the nation, the driven entrepreneur continues to reach new peaks – including a prestigious one from his alma mater.

Wilson said Back Forty was nominated for

John S. Jones ranked in top 100 Alabama elementaries

 By Sarrah Peters

News Editor

On a recent ranking of nationwide schools, a local school placed in the top 100 elementary schools in Alabama. John S. Jones Elementary was rated 79th in the state.

The rankings were performed by a research website called Niche.com. Niche uses community reviews and opinions with hard data, like standardized test scores. The website has scores

County safety efforts pay off

  A yearlong effort across Alabama to provide safer workplaces and reduce injuries has produced dividends for 42 county commissions, which have received cash awards from the Association of County Commissions of Alabama’s insurance funds. 

ACCA’s Safety Incentive Discount Program, administered by its self-funded insurance programs, rewards counties for ongoing efforts to enhance training for employees in safety-sensitive positions, improve

ECBOE receives accreditation

  According to an exit report from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Division of AdvancED, the Etowah County Board of Education recently earned accreditation for a five-year period. Etowah County exceeded AdvancED averages in all rated categories.

AdvancED is the largest community of education professional in the world. The group performs on-site reviews and is a partner with

Local author publishes second anthology

Carla Wynn Hall, a Gadsden native, has found her passion in helping under supported women write their stories and be published in a book. Last year, she published an anthology of women’s stories. The women used social media to connect and collaborate. Now she has published a second anthology.

Both anthologies she was instrumental in publishing, made the #1

Gadsden Middle students learn at Disney

  Gadsden Middle School students used the Walt Disney World Resort as a classroom on Feb. 2 and 3 when they participated in the Disney Youth Education Series “The Science of Disney Imagineering: Gravity” at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and “Principles of Animal Behavior” at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. 

The group of students traveled from Gadsden, Ala. to the Walt Disney World

Oliver to be inducted into Hall of Honor

  The Induction into the Patriots Hall of Honor normally takes place during the Patriots Day Luncheon, which is on November 4 this year. However in recognition of the life work of Hazel Oliver and that she will be turning 100 years old in August, the Gadsden-Etowah Patriots Association will have a special induction ceremony on March 31 at 11

GSCC to host annual International Festival

  Gadsden State Community College International Programs will host its 37th annual International Festival, “The Places You’ll Go,” on April 10 at Convention Hall in Gadsden. 

The festival includes displays showcasing countries from around the world and highlights international food and entertainment. 

Tickets are on sale now until April 8 at the Wallace Hall online box office at www.international.wallacehall.org; the

Hardin Center to host Wine, Women and Wardrobe

  The Mary G. Hardin Center for Cultural Arts will host the Wine, Women and Wardrobe event at the Gunn-Bellenger House on Thursday, April 16 from 4 to 8 p.m. as part of their year-long celebration of the 25th anniversary of the center. 

Several fashion vendors will be showcasing their products, including both apparel and accessories. There will be representatives