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By Sarrah Peters, News Editor On Tuesday, August 13, the City of Gadsden celebrated two new improvements in the city. At 9 a.m., city officials hosted a ribbon cutting for the grand opening of the Alabama City Center. The project was the second phase of renovations for the former General Forrest Middle School. The first renovation

By Sarrah Peters, News Editor On a return trip from Birmingham, Melanie Kilgo noticed an empty building off Hwy. 77 and Hwy. 59 next to the Petro truck stop. Already in the restaurant business as owner of Lola and Runts and Lola’s on the River, Melanie felt drawn to the site and chose the site for

Crock Pot Dressing, Whipped Sweet Potato Bake and Pineapple Fluff Cake My sister and I grew up with a  mother who enjoyed cooking and was a wonderful cook. She taught us the importance of presentation and taste. During our school years, we entered our home daily with something on the stove simmering or a new

By Robert Halsey Pine “Then Peter began to speak to them:  ‘I truly understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ–he is Lord of all.’”

By Toni Ford In the Book of Ephesians, Paul explains how we are to equip ourselves for the battles we face in this life and for spiritual warfare. Ephesians 6:11 says, “Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.” In ancient times,

By Vicki Scott Starting last Saturday, it was that time of the year – “Nana Camp” time! I should call it “Nana and Poppa Camp.” My husband Alan took the week off work to share this momentous occasion, and I am very appreciative. My daughter is so nervous about us watching her kids. She suggested

By Sarrah Peters, News Editor On Saturday, August 3, in the wee hours of the morning, 65 students and chaperones loaded a bus in Lee’s Summit, Missouri, on the outskirts of Kansas City. The students, incoming seniors from Summit Christian Academy, were headed to Gadsden to do a yearly mission with Breakaway Ministries led by Eddie

By Sarrah Peters, News Editor On Saturday, August 10, the second annual Smoke in the Park Barbecue competition will be held at E.C. Wilson Park, located at 313 Nancy Carrol Avenue in Glencoe. The money raised will go to the Glencoe Fire Department’s Christmas for Kids program. The Glencoe Fire Department has been doing the Christmas

Name: Tiffany L.Gladden Where were you born and raised? “I was born at Decatur General in Morgan County, Ala., but raised in Etowah County.” What is your occupation? “I am a middle school teacher at Emma Sansom. I have been teaching 18 years.” What made you decide to work in your field?  “I decided I

Chicken Salad, Vegetable Salad and Fluffy Pink Salad There are so many foods that are unique to our region of the country. Sweet tea, pimento cheese, deviled eggs, fried chicken, fried catfish and tomato sandwiches are all wonderful staples in the South.  I always evaluate a new restaurant by the quality of the sweet tea!

By Robert Halsey Pine “For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross.” (Colossians 1:15-23 NRSV). St. Paul said, “He is the image of the invisible

By Toni Ford In a battle, I believe all of us at times need encouragement to keep fighting and not give up. We need a glimmer of hope or some type of sign that we can be victorious. Personally, I have found Psalm 86 to be a great psalm to read when one is faced

By Vicki Scott One obstacle after another kept happening until I decided to seek advice from our seniors and George Wallace Senior Center in Glencoe. I had a dilemma about the presentation of my first published book, She Made a Difference, Anyway! A Tribute to My Mom, to my mother. I did not want to

How to choose a daycare, Part II A class I took in college, called “Early Childhood Education” ended with our last grade based on writing a thesis on the subject of positive aspects of owning or choosing a daycare center. I’ll never forget the end of my paper, which said, “A daycare does for money

Photo: Members of the Glencoe High School varsity volleyball team gather for a photo during the FCA Etowah County Volleyball Media Day on Aug. 2 at Southside Baptist Church. Pictured, from left: Morgan Lasseter, Mandy McGinnis, Hannah Whittenberg, Madalin Gorham, GHS FCA sponsor/coach Drew Hall, Brianna Beyerle, Lexi Gray, Aubrey Gray. (Chris McCarthy/Messenger) By Chris

Photo: Dr. Adam Shaw with Northeast Orthopedics Sports Clinic and Physical Therapy (pictured at far left) conducts a seminar during the annual NEO Coaches Symposium on Aug. 2 at Southside High School. (Kaitlin Fleming/Messenger) By Kaitlin Fleming/Staff Writer In a few short weeks, the local football season will be in full swing, and with that

Listed below is the Alabama Sports Writers Association preseason high school football rankings with first-place votes, last year’s record and total poll points. Class 7A 1. Central-Phenix City (26), 14-0, 312 2. Hoover, 9-4, 227 3. McGill-Toolen, 9-3, 201 4. Thompson, 11-2, 183 5. Hewitt-Trussville, 8-4, 165 6. Auburn, 10-2, 98 7. Mountain Brook, 9-3,

Caption: At the Gadsden Public Library’s annual Harry Potter Birthday Celebration on Wednesday, July 31, children were able to build their own potions necklaces using water, food dye, oil and glitter. By Sarrah Peters, News Editor On Wednesday, July 31, people of all ages had a magical day at the Gadsden Public Library during its annual Harry

Eight years ago, Gadsden-Etowah Habitat for Humanity introduced the community to dragon boat racing with its Dragon Boat Festival. This year the festival will be held on August 17. The opening ceremony will be at 8:45 a.m. and races begin at 9 a.m. Dragon Boat racing originated in China over 2,300 years ago. A worldwide

By Sarrah Peters, News Editor The Boys and Girls Clubs of Gadsden/Etowah County received a financial shot in the arm on July 25. The Etowah County Football Preview Show at the Mort Glosser Amphitheatre raised money for club programs. According to Boys and Girls Club Director Sonquez Williams, the money raised will be used to support

Rainbow City is pleased to announce the building of a road in its city limits to greatly enhance the flow of school traffic on Lumley Road for Rainbow Middle and John Jones Elementary Schools. The new road, which will cut through the property recently acquired by Rainbow City from the Etowah County Mega Sports Complex

Name: Kristi Kent Where were you born and raised? “Gadsden. I have lived here all of my life.” What is your occupation? “Well, I just recently decided to make a career change in my life. I worked for over 20 years in Home Health and Hospice and recently decided to go into Real Estate and

Corn Casserole, Tomato Broccoli Casserole and Chocolate Pudding I have decided that I have an appetite for the South and all of its Southern food. When my garden begins to produce, my mind immediately craves a casserole of sunny, yellow squash topped with cheese, ripe red tomatoes, pearly ears of corn and Mexican cornbread with

By Robert Halsey Pine “This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is

By Toni Ford It has been an interesting week as I have been faced with multiple situations where I have realized and recognized my need for the Lord and His wisdom more than ever before. As I began to pray and ask the Lord for wisdom and insight, He led me to Ephesians 1: 15-23.

By Vicki Scott Today is the day my package of copies of my book are scheduled to arrive. As I sit at my front window facing the mailbox, I can see everyone who drives by. I checked my order online at least three times a day since July 15, and this morning the package left

How to choose a daycare In today’s world, it is a rare event when a parent stays home with children rather than work outside the home. The one question people ask is if daycare affects a child’s behavior and development. Well, it all depends on the quality of care. After spending 15 years either working at,

By Chris McCarthy, Publisher/Editor Photo: 2019 Westbrook Christian graduate P.J. Wells might see playing time as a freshman at JSU this fall. (Alex Chaney)  It’s 28 days and counting until the Jacksonville State football team begins its defense of a fifth straight Ohio Valley Conference championship. At the team’s 2019 Media Day last Tuesday (July 30)

Photo: Former Etowah High assistant football coach Jamison Wadley (pictured at center) recently was hired as head coach at Douglas. Pictured with Wadley is DHS Principal Patrick Smith (left) and at Marshall County Schools AD Alan Garner. (Shannon J. Allen/Sand Mountain Reporter) By Shannon J. Allen/Sand Mountain Reporter Jamison Wadley is a man of faith

  The Alabama Heat FC and Alabama Rush will host the Clash on the Coosa Soccer Festival this Saturday, Aug. 3 at Murphree Stadium in Gadsden. Admission is $5. The game schedule is as follows: 8:15 a.m., Ala. Rush 06 Premier vs. CFA Rome 07 Classic; 9: 45 a.m., Ala. Rush 09 Black vs. CFA