Home News

By Sarrah Peters, News Editor This year, Emma Samson Middle School started a camp for students who are English as a second language learners. Marcia Farabee, who spent time working with English language learner camps throughout Alabama, was inspired to start the camp when she returned to working at Gadsden City Schools and realized there was

By Sarrah Peters, News Editor The Gadsden-Etowah Patriots Association is seeking nominations for the Patriots Hall of Fame. Patriots Association member Rick Vaughan said that the organization is looking for people that give back to the community without seeking recognition. “When our founding fathers set this country up, what we are looking for in a patriot,

By Sarrah Peters, News Editor The Humane Society Pet Rescue and Adoption Center is holding a fundraiser concert featuring The Swingin’ Medallions on June 28 at The Venue at Coosa Landing. Doors open at 6 p.m. The Swingin’ Medallions are a swing band that are well-known in the South for their hit “A Double Shot (of

Name: Jared Vaughn Where were you born and raised? “I grew up in the Bellevue Highlands community on the mountain in Gadsden. I attended R. A. Mitchell Elementary School, General Forest Middle School and Emma Sansom High School.  My parents still live in the same house I grew up in to this day.  My family

Southern Potato Salad 5 pounds red potatoes, chopped medium size, boiled and cooled, (salt potatoes really well while they are boiling) 1 large onion, chopped small, green onions also 5 eggs, boiled, chopped small 3/4 cup sweet salad cubes, (if you want them like a relish, use the food processor) 1 teaspoon mustard (just enough

By Craig Ford The education budget passed by lawmakers in the final days of the 2019 legislative session is the largest in terms of dollars that the state has ever spent (though, when factoring in inflation, we still are not spending as much as we did before the 2008 recession). For the most part, the

By Robert Halsey Pine “So Jesus said, ‘When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will realize that I am he, and that I do nothing on my own, but I speak these things as the Father instructed me. And the one who sent me is with me; he has not left me

By Toni Ford Have you ever seen the letters “WWJD” on a frame of some sort or bracelet? Young people used to wear the bracelets with these letters on them which stand for “What Would Jesus Do?” The best place to find this answer is in the gospels, where we see numerous examples of Jesus

By Vicki Scott I suppose that loving to learn and having a good sense of humor are good characteristics when working at George Wallace Senior Center in Glencoe. The education I receive from our seniors is better than anything I ever learned in school. Our seniors keep my mind active and alert to what I

By Chris McCarthy, Publisher/Editor The recently released 2019 Alabama Sports Writers Association All-State baseball teams confirmed that it most definitely was a banner year for several local high schools. Eight area players made the first team, including three each from Westbrook Christian and Hokes Bluff and one each from Southside and Etowah. Highlighting the list was

By Chris McCarthy, Publisher/Editor Five area players recently were named to the Alabama Sports Writers Association’s All-State softball teams for the 2019 season. The lone first-teamer was Southside junior Kaylee Brown at Class 5A Designated Hitter. Playing primarily at catcher, Brown (pictured above) batted .423 with 55 hits, 44 RBI, 40 runs scored, 12 doubles, two home

By Sarrah Peters News Editor Westbrook Christian had an outstanding 2019 graduating class, with 85 percent of the students receiving scholarships. “We keep up with the percentage every year,” said Principal Cindy Greer. “Over the past five years it’s been like 58 percent, 59 percent. Last year’s group, the class of 2018, had 65 percent,

By Sarrah Peters News Editor On Wednesday, June 5, a group of bikers stopped at the Boys and Girls Clubs of Gadsden and Etowah County. University of Dayton Professor Peter Titlebaum, Dwight Matlock and Moshe Bargil embarked on a week-long biking trip the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Cincinnati, Ohio, on June 1 in

Name: Kara Scheller Where were you born and raised? “I was born and raised here in Gadsden!” What is your occupation? “I am a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, also known as a BCBA, and owner of Coosa Behavioral Services.” What made you decide to work in your field? “I became interested in disabilities, specifically autism,

Photo: The Alabama Heat’s Ben Clements (15) congratulates teammates during the team’s match against Talladega College on March 31 at Murphree Stadium in Gadsden. (Chris McCarthy/Messenger) By Chris McCarthy, Publisher/Editor Slowly but surely, the Alabama Heat Futbol Club is spreading its roots through the fertile soccer soil of Gadsden and Etowah County. Approximately halfway through the

By Chris McCarthy, Publisher/Editor Unlike most of us, Rick Hagedorn gets to view his recent weight gain in a positive light. The Gadsden resident recently was inducted as part of the inaugural class of the Alabama Powerlifting Hall of Fame on May 25 in Northport. “I never really thought of myself as a great lifter; I

Several area soccer players and one local coach recently were named to the Alabama High School Soccer Coaches Association’s Super All-State team for all classifications. On the girls’ side, Southside’s Tiffany Cargill (pictured above) was selected Small School Coach of the Year after guiding the Lady Panthers to a 21-3 record and the program’s third

By Sarrah Peters News Editor The fifth annual Bash in the Bend will be held Saturday, June 1 at 103 Robert Lee Road in Gadsden. Five years ago, neighbors Jeff Little, Shane Reid and Mark Cassidy decided to host a cookout in Tillison Bend the weekend of Father’s Day on their several acres of property.

By Kaitlin Fleming Staff Correspondent The Gadsden City Council may soon vote on a new benefit plan for city employees that may see those same workers pay an additional 1.5 percent from their paychecks, according to city council members. On Monday, May 20, councilmember Deverick Williams suggested during a finance meeting that it would be

By Kaitlin Fleming Staff Correspondent Local fifth grader Emily Ragsdale sold 2,222 boxes of Girl Scout Cookies, which is well above the 200-500 box national average and landed her the title of Top Cookie Seller in all of Etowah County. Ragsdale was excited about selling the most of her troop, which is part of the

By Sarrah Peters News Editor On Monday, May 13, Rainbow City took steps to protect the investment it has made into the Etowah County Mega Sports Complex. A bill introduced by State Senator Andrew Jones created uncertainty about the Sports Complex’s future. The bill is very similar to the one State Representative Becky Nordgren advertised

By Sarrah Peters News Editor In 1975, Juanita Moman opened an eyeglass dispensary called Moman’s Eyecare at 227 Broad Street. Moman’s Eyecare has the distinction of being the oldest retail business on Broad Street. Now, after 44 years in business Moman’s is closing its doors. Juanita’s inspiration to open Moman’s came from her love of

By Sarrah Peters News Editor On Thursday, May 9, the Etowah Chamber took the time to honor the many great educators in the county at the second annual Excellence in Education Award Luncheon. “We have so many wonderful things going on in our educational systems,” said Chamber President Heather Brothers New. “So, Excellence in Education

Photo: Westbrook Christian’s John Ross Morgan holds G.W. Long’s Matt Snelll at first base during the Warriors’ 7-0 loss in the Class 2A state baseball championship series on Thursday, May 16, in Montgomery. (Mike Goodson/Messenger)  By Mike Goodson/Sports Correspondent G.W. Long earned its straight state baseball championship and an AHSAA-record 16th overall title with a

The Westbrook Christian boys and the Glencoe girls finished second and third, respectively, at the AHSAA state golf tournament last Tuesday (May 14) in Prattville. It was the Warriors’ second consecutive runner-up finish (the team competed in Class 1A-2A last season). Westbrook finished with an overall score of 650 to first-place Houston Academy’s 558. T.R.

Photo: The Sardis High School softball team gathers for a photo after finishing second at the Class 5A West Central Regional Tournament earlier his week in Tuscaloosa. Pictured, kneeling, from left: Pascalle Devreede, Lily Towns, Harlee Vincent, Sarah Beth Hallmark, Emily Cook, Hailey Hill, Jade Bonds, Lanese Edmondson, Jade Night. Standing, from left: assistant coach Matt

Several local high school softball team competed in the recent West Central Regional Tournaments in Tuscaloosa. In Class 5A, Southside opened with an 18-1 victory over Pleasant Grove, followed by a 3-2 loss to Mortimer Jordan in the quarterfinals. The Lady Panthers then fell to Moody, 12-2, in the playback bracket. In Class 4A, Hokes

Photo: Southside High’s Hallie-Kate Smith (7) pushes the ball away from Montgomery Academy’s Bae Corley during the Lady Panthers’ 2-1 loss in the Class 4A/5A girls soccer championship match last Friday (May 10) in Huntsville. (Chris McCarthy/Messenger)  By Chris McCarthy, Publisher/Editor The Southside High girls soccer team finally ran into an opponent that found a way

Courtesy of Florence Times-Daily As the final pitcher in Brooks’ late game-two meltdown against Hokes Bluff on May 8, senior Lake Spurgeon was at the center of the team’s toughest moment of the season. Less than 48 hours later, he was at the center of the team’s best moment yet. Spurgeon drove in five runs

By Sarrah Peters News Editor Sports enthusiasts, Boy Scout supporters and locals flocked to 210 at the Tracks in Gadsden on Tuesday, May 7 to enjoy a good meal and more at the Etowah Boy Scouts Steak Social. Attendees enjoyed drinks and food (steak, of course) while they socialized with each other. During the event,