Home News

By Sarrah Peters News Editor In 2016, Tami Brooks decided she wanted to hike the Grand Canyon in Arizona. In order to accomplish this, she knew she would need to train, so she started a challenge for herself – she would do 52 hikes in 52 weeks, one a week for a year. Brooks had

By Sarrah Peters News Editor The City of Gadsden Fire Department is currently accepting donations for its annual Toys From Santa program. Toys From Santa aims to provide toys for all disadvantaged children in Etowah County for Christmas. “We don’t want to see any child go without,” said Gadsden Fire Department Chief Steve Carroll. The

By Sarrah Peters News Editor Gadsden City High School senior Haley James practically grew up at Gadsden Lighting Showroom. “It’s a family business,” said James. “I’ve really been raised there since I was a little girl.” During her junior year of high school, James joined GCHS’s work co-op program. “I have a first and second

Messenger file photo by Gary Wells By Chris McCarthy, Publisher/Editor Negative reinforcement served as a motivating factor in Hylan Higdon’s recent academic and athletic achievement. “So many people told me that I was never going to make it, but I never let that stuff knock me down,” said the Glencoe High School senior. Higdon proved

Photo: Glencoe High’s Anna Beth Giles (4) drives to the basket as Hokes Bluff’s Bailee Latronico (21) looks on during the Lady Yellow Jackets’ 67-60 victory in girls high school basketball on Monday (Dec. 2) at GHS. (Courtesy of Gary Wells) By Chris McCarthy, Publisher/Editor After leading by double digits for three quarters, Glencoe weathered a

Several local players recently were named to the Class 2A, All-Region 6 football team for the 2019 season. Westbrook Christian had four players make the team in junior offensive lineman Hall Boulware, senior kicker Will Edwards (pictured above), senior defensive lineman Derek Graham and senior receiver Joe Tucker. Three West End players were selected –

Photo: West End boys basketball coach Richard Hollingsworth instructs his players during the Patriots’ game against Ashville on Nov. 22. (Chris McCarthy/Messenger)  By Chris McCarthy, Publisher/Editor Richard Hollingsworth has brought his brand of winning basketball to Altoona and Walnut Grove. The long-time Westbrook Christian and Coosa Christian coach accepted the West End High School boys basketball

Photo: Ashville High School senior Chloe Wills signed a softball scholarship with Central Alabama Community College on Nov. 20. Pictured, sitting, from left: mom Christy, Chloe, dad Bubba. Standing, from left: AHS softball coach Kristen Seals, CACC softball coach Greg Shivers, AHS assistant softball coach Shea Monroe. (Submitted photo) By Chris McCarthy, Publisher/Editor Chloe Wills will

Photo: Gadsden City High seniors Austin Brewer and J.J. Gray signed baseball scholarships with Southern Union Community College on Nov. 22. Pictured, sitting, from left: Austin’s dad Heath, Austin’s sister Grace, Austin’s mom Geri, Austin, J.J., J.J.’s dad Jason, J.J.’s mom Janice, J.J.’s brother Chase. Standing from left: GCHS assistant baseball coach Ricky Ray Clayton,

By Sarrah Peters News Editor The Toys for Tots program in Etowah County was nearly canceled this year, but thanks to a local church and some new volunteers the program is now aiming to help even more children this year. “They were not going to do Toys for Tots this year,” said Ruth Moffet. “They

By Sarrah Peters News Editor The Humane Society Pet Rescue and Adoption Center will hold its 9th Annual Reindeer Run on December 14. The 5K will begin in front of Blackstone Pub and Eatery located at 525 Broad Street in downtown Gadsden. Registration begins at 8 a.m., and the race will start at 8:30 a.m.

By Sarrah Peters News Editor For the 21st year, CommUnity Thanksgiving will offer a free holiday meal to anyone on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 28 at The Venue at Coosa Landing in Gadsden. The Thanksgiving feast starts at 10 a.m. and will be open until 2 p.m. The event has a pick-up option and deliveries

By Sarrah Peters News Editor The Mary G. Hardin Center for Cultural Arts has been hosting the annual Festival of Trees for 29 years. “The Festival of Trees was an exhibit idea when the center opened 29 years ago to involve the local schools and engage them for field trips,” said Hardin Center Executive Director

Photo: Members of the Coosa Christian varsity girls basketball team participated in the FCA Media Day last Sunday (Nov. 17) at First United Methodist Church of Gadsden. Pictured, sitting, from left: India Brown, Kaylee Hasley, Emily Snow. Standing: head coach Jayme Hollingsworth. (Chris McC artsy/Messenger)  By Chris McCarthy, Publisher/Editor A number of local high school basketball

Photo: Westbrook Christian’s Karmichael Cattling runs past a pair of North Sand Mountain defenders during the Warriors’ 35-13 loss in the second round of the Class 2A state football playoffs last Friday (Nov. 15) in Higdon. (Jason Bowen/Jackson County Sentinel) By Jason Bowen, Jackson County Sentinel North Sand Mountain advanced to the state football quarterfinals for

By Sarrah Peters, News Editor Traci Gunter was only 23 when her life changed forever. On Wednesday, April 24, Gunter was driving through traffic, headed to work. While stopped at a red light, she started to sweat profusely. “I was thinking, ‘What in the world?’” said Gunter. “It was just so hot. So, I pulled my

By Sarrah Peters, News Editor Earlier this year, Remote Area Medical (RAM), a nonprofit organization from Knoxville, Tenn., announced that it would be coming to Gadsden next year to provide a free health clinic to locals on March 27-29, 2020, at Gadsden City High School. The clinic will offer free, high-quality dental, vision and general medical

By Sarrah Peters, News Editor On Monday, November 11, St. James Catholic School held a program honoring veterans in honor of Veterans Day. After Principal Michele Adams welcomed everyone and Deacon Fred Williams gave the Benediction, students presented the cross and American flag. Eighth grader Jesse Domingo presented the cross and seventh grader Will Morgan presented

Photo: Hokes Bluff’s Jalen Robinson (8) catches a touchdown pass in front of Northside’s Wes Maluda during the Eagles’ 35-21 loss in the first round of the Class 4A state football playoffs last Friday (Nov. 8) in Northport. (Alex Chaney) By Cole Frederick/Sports Correspondent Hokes Bluff’s football season came to an end on Nov. 8

Messenger file photo by Chris McCarthy The Gadsden State volleyball team will be recognized at a community pep rally and dinner sponsored by The Chamber of Gadsden and Etowah County and hosted by Back Forty Beer Company. The Lady Cardinals won the National Junior College Athletic Association Gulf Atlantic District A/B Volleyball Championship on Nov.

Photo: Glencoe High’s Katie Giles finished sixth in the Class 3A girls state cross country meet last Saturday (Nov. 9) in Oakville. (submitted photo) By Chris McCarthy, Publisher/Editor Several area runners turned in medal-winning performances at the AHSAA cross country meet last Saturday (Nov. 9) at Indian Mounds Education Center in Oakville. The top 15 finishers in

Messenger file photo by Gary Wells By Eddie Edwards/Sports Correspondent Westbrook Christian won its first postseason game since 2010 with a 25-22 victory over Aliceville in the first round of the Class 2A state football playoffs on Nov. 8 at Aliceville. The Warriors (8-3) travel to Higdon this Friday, Nov. 15, to face North Sand

Photo: Etowah High’s Tae Wright (7) tackles Center Point’s Jayson Jones during the Blue Devils’ 42-13 loss in the first round of the Class 5A state football playoffs last Friday (Nov. 8) in Attalla. (Travis Green) By Chris McCarthy, Publisher/Editor For the first time in four years, Etowah will not participate in the second round of

By Cole Frederick/Sports Correspondent Auburn Week 10 Review Auburn did not play a home game in the month of October, so the Tigers expected to return home to play in front of a raucous crowd last week at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Instead, the crowd was anything but, and AU snuck away with a 20-14 win over

Photo: The Gadsden State volleyball team gathers around the tournament bracket after winning the NJCAA Gulf Atlantic District championship last Sunday (Nov. 3) in Boaz. Pictured, kneeling, on left: Shelby Bates. Kneeling on right: Joanie Lang. Middle row, from left: Madelyn Massey, Jaylyn Freeman, Grace Nolen, Brooke Murphy, Gracie West, Leighanna Tralongo. Back row, from

Photo courtesy of Toni Bishop By Chris McCarthy, Publisher/Editor The Southside High boys and boys cross country teams finished in first place at the Class 5A, Section 2 Meet at Oxford’s Choccolocco Park on Nov. 1. The Panthers had four runners finish in the top 15, led by Ryan Maudsley first-place time of 17:00.05. Mason Williamson

Photo by Chris McCarthy By Chris McCarthy, Publisher/Editor The Ashville High girls cross country team had three runners place in the top 10 and four more in the top 25 on the way to a first-place finish at the Class 4A Section 3 Meet on Nov. 1 at Fairview. It was the second straight section championship

Messenger file photo by Chris McCarthy By Chris McCarthy, Publisher/Editor The Glencoe High girls cross country team finished third at the Class 3A, Section 2 Meet at Auburn on Nov. 1 The Lady Yellow Jackets qualified for the AHSAA state meet this Saturday, Nov. 9, at Oakville Indian Mounds Education Center in Danville. Katie Giles

Submitted photo By Chris McCarthy, Publisher/Editor Helped by four top 10 showings, the Westbrook Christian boys cross country team won the Class 1A/2A, Section 4 Meet on Nov. 1 at Oxford’s Choccolocco Park. The Warriors qualified for the AHSAA state meet this Saturday, Nov. 9, at Oakville Indian Mounds Education Center in Danville. “I was very

Photo: Hokes Bluff’s Ashton Gulledge (2) attempts a pass during the Eagles’ 35-12 win over Sardis on Nov. 1. (Alex Chaney) By Cole Frederick/Sports Correspondent Hokes Bluff relied on a pair of four-year starters for a 35-12 win over Sardis on senior night at Mike Robertson Stadium in Hokes Bluff on Friday (Nov. 1). Running