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Progress Edition: City of Gadsden growing, new mayor sees development

Messenger file photo Development and improvements are happening all over Gadsden, but there is renewed focus on the city’s two most distinctive natural resources: Noccalula Falls and the Coosa riverfront. For more than a decade, the City of Gadsden has developed the east side of the river, devoting funding to a number of projects that […]

Progress Edition: Modern Woodmen of America making an impact

Photo: Modern Woodmen Financial Representative Morgan Lavender (at right) is pictured above with her husband Burt Lavender and their two children, Avery Kate and Nash, during a family day out. (Submitted photo) By Emma Kirkemier, News Editor Modern Woodmen of America is a nationwide financial services organization owned by its members. “We offer insurance products, […]

Progress Edition: Rick’s Drugs remains a family business after 44 years

Photo: Owners and pharmacists Scott and Kelli Cornelius pose for a photo in Rick’s Drugs. (Emma Kirkemier/Messenger) By Emma Kirkemier, News Editor Rick’s Drugs has been a staple in the Attalla community since its founding in 1976. However, when founder and owner Rick Bearden retired in 2021, he left the business in the capable hands […]

Progress Edition: Melia Total Body Health offers holistic health coaching

Photo: Melia West, who is currently is working at Odyssey Health Spa & Fitness in Centre. (Messenger file photo) Melia West of Melia Total Body Health, The YMCA of the Coosa Valley, Snap Fitness in Glencoe and Odyssey Health Spa & Fitness in Centre, is certified in AFAA Personal Trainer, Nutrition, Holistic Nutrition, Naturopathy, Health […]

Progress Edition: Nephrology Associates offers patient-centered kidney care

Pictured above is Nephrology Associates, P.C., at location on 405 South 2nd Street in Gadsden. (Taylor Spradley/Messenger) There have been amazing scientific medical advances in medicine in recent years. For example, a non-smoking acquaintance in his 40’s was diagnosed with metastatic lung cancer several years ago. Instead of a life expectancy of six months or […]

Progress Edition: DGI reports successful 2022

Photo: Downtown Gadsden, Inc., Director Kay Moore poses for a photo in front of the DGI building in downtown Gadsden. (Emma Kirkemier/Messenger) Gadsden citizens showed their support for small businesses throughout 2022 as they shopped and dined locally, making this another successful year for downtown Gadsden. “I think 2022 was a good year for most […]

Progress Edition: Gadsden State on the rise

Many accomplishments and exciting announcements were made at Gadsden State Community College in 2022. Here is a look back at the good news at northeast Alabama’s premiere community college. January Gadsden State announced that it was one of 12 community colleges in Alabama to see an increase in enrollment during the 2021-22 academic year. Enrollment […]

Progress Edition: St. James Catholic School provides 100 years of education

Photo: St. James Catholic School. (Teri Chupp/Messenger) Describe the history of St. James Catholic School in the community. St. James Catholic School is the oldest private school in Etowah County, having served Gadsden and surrounding areas for over a century. Since our beginning, St. James has grown from a small parochial school serving the Catholics of […]

Progress Edition: Secret is out for Southside

The bedroom community of Southside has always been one of Alabama’s hidden gems, but the secret is out! Southside is the fastest-growing city in Etowah County and on the move to becoming not only a place to live but a place to work and visit. With 31.8 miles of shoreline along the banks of the […]