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Photo: Pictured above, Forrest Cemetery’s chapel at 700 S 15th Street is among the structures discussed at Gadsden City Council work sessions regarding its name. (Katie Bohannon/Messenger) By Katie Bohannon, News Editor No change will come to Gadsden’s Emma Sansom monument or Forrest Cemetery until further notice. On Tuesday, Gadsden City Council majority voted against

Photo: Messenger file photo By Chris McCarthy, Publisher/Editor Gadsden City Schools Superintendent Tony Reddick recently provided an update via video on the district’s reopening plans and policies for the fall semester. Although Reddick (pictured at right) confirmed an opening date of Aug. 11, he added that several nontraditional teaching policies would be implemented in light

By Emma Kirkemier, Staff Correspondent At its July 7 session, the commission addressed the concerns of civil rights groups and possible new training for law enforcement, as well as the purchase of four new buses for Etowah County Rural Transportation. District 5 Commissioner Jeffery Washington described recent meetings with community civil rights groups. Washington and

Photo: Pictured above, Lettermen USA recently hosted a clay target shoot fundraiser at Selwood farm in Alpine. The organization’s “Clays for Heroes” event used the proceeds to benefited honorably discharged U.S. military veterans in need. Pictured, front row, from left: Lettermen USA public relations agent/event planner Elaine Lyda, Tanja Goode, Kerry Goode, event planner Yvonne

Milton Dean Thompson joined his wife Wynette Thompson with the Lord when he passed away on June 21, 2020 in Lakeland, Florida. He was born on Jan. 5, 1931 in Alabama City, Alabama to his parents Jesse and Alma Thompson. Dean moved to Lakeland in 1983. He was an engineer who worked in the chemical

Where were you born and raised? Born in Gadsden and raised in Wellington. What is your occupation? I am an educator. I teach U.S. History and coach Soccer at Southside High School. What made you decide to work in your field? I enjoy teaching and my favorite subjects are history and government. I have always

Photo: Pictured above from left to right, Tea Town Alabama’s Jonathan Gardner, Owls Hollow Farm’s Lisa Gallardo and Forgotten Ways Farm’s Amber Bennett support their community with a drive-thru contactless market at Back Forty Beer Company at 200 N. 6th Street in Gadsden. (Katie Bohannon/Messenger) By Katie Bohannon, News Editor As the COVID-19 pandemic alters

By Chris McCarthy, Publisher/Editor “I want to make the Gadsden Country Club shine. I want to make it the best facility in Alabama. If I don’t do that, I haven’t done my job.” Such was Paul Robin’s immediate response when asked what his primary objective was as the new director of tennis at the Gadsden Country

By Chris McCarthy, Publisher/Editor Caleb Carpenter is back in Bulldog country. The 2006 Ashville High graduate, who was recently hired as the school’s boys varsity basketball coach, is delighted that his first head basketball coaching position will be at his alma mater. “It’s definitely exciting to come back and coach where I once played,” said Carpenter

Pictured above, 2020 Girlfriend Gala Chair Courtney Linam addresses event details on Facebook. Photo courtesy of the Girlfriend Gala. By Katie Bohannon, News Editor United Way’s annual Girlfriend Gala hosted its first virtual fundraiser on June 25. Despite the fact that Gadsden women could not experience the event in person, organizers ensured that the night

Pictured above from left to right is technician Wendy Curvin, technician Betty Phillips, pharmacist and owner Bob Neal, technician Paulette Chandler, pharmacist and owner Ronnie Smith, cashier Brady Lockmiller, technician Carla Harrell (technician). Seated: Pharmacist and owner Amanda Divine welcomes residents to Alaco Pharmacy’s grand reopening. Photo courtesy of Gary Wells.  By Katie Bohannon, News

By Katie Bohannon, News Editor As cities remove confederate memorials nationwide, opinions on Gadsden’s Emma Samson monument remain a topic of fervent discussion. At the Gadsden City Council’s Public Safety Committee meeting and pre-council meeting on June 30, city officials debated the fate of the downtown statue (pictured at right). Though the Public Safety Committee

Gadsden State Community College President Dr. Martha Lavender recently announced her retirement. Lavender attended Gadsden State, where she pursued and achieved an Associates degree in nursing before obtaining a Bachelor of Science in nursing at Jacksonville State University. Lavender furthered her education with both a Master’s degree and doctorate in nursing from the University of

Photo: Pictured above, Attalla Mayor Larry Means (third from right) joins Gov. Kay Ivey (second from right) and along with other state and local officials at the Koch Feed Mill groundbreaking in Attalla in November 2019. (Photo courtesy of Business Facilities Magazine) By Katie Bohannon, News Editor In November of 2019, the City of Attalla

Photo: Pictured above, Black Lives Matter Gadsden leaders join protestors for a Father’s Day demonstration. Pictured, from left: Wesley Quarles (University of Alabama cap), Gabriela Hernandez (pink leggings), Jerome Gunn (white shirt), Mckenzie Clark (center, black tank top) and Shunbrica Dozier (black shirt, camo bandana). (Katie Bohannon/Messenger) By Katie Bohannon, News Editor During a time

Photo: Messenger file photo by Chris McCarthy By Shannon J. Allen, Sand Mtn. Reporter West End High School head football coach Kyle Davis is excited about what the 2020 season holds, both for his team and its leader, senior quarterback Eli Pearce. Last year, Pearce finished with 3,154 yards and 43 touchdowns at the controls

Where were you born and raised? I was born in Fairbanks, Alaska. Then, I moved to Gadsden via Los Cruces, New Mexico when I was about 5 years old. My mother’s family is from Gadsden, and my father’s family lived here at the time, so this has always been “home”. What is your occupation? I am in

Photo: 2020 Ashville High Schol graduate Lexi Copeland signs a softball scholarship with Judson College on June 15. Pictured, sitting, from left: dad Chadd, Lexi, mom Sonya. Standing, from left: AHS softball coach Kristen Seals, Judson softball coach Tom Hannah. (Emma Kirkemier/Messenger) By Emma Kirkemier, Editorial Assistant Recent Ashville High School graduate Lexi Copeland signed a

By Chris McCarthy, Publisher/Editor Two local student-athletes are gearing up for four more years of competitive soccer. Recent Southside High graduates Isaac Franklin (pictured left) and Kevin Laby (pictured right) signed scholarships with Shorter (Ga.) University and Talladega College, respectively. Southside boys soccer coach Randy Vice had high praise for his former players, who helped

Photo: 2020 Westbrook Christian graduate Will Edwards signed a football scholarship with Huntington College on July 17 in Rainbow City. Pictured, sitting, from left: mom Jill, Edwards, dad Eddie. Standing, from left: sister Anna Cate, grandfather Mike Nunn, grandmother Betty Nunn, brother Jake. (Katie Bohannon/Messenger) By Katie Bohannon, News Editor and Chris McCarthy, Publisher Will

Photo: Pictured above, Etowah High School senior Raylee Christian receives the Delta Kappa Gamma 2020 Grant-in-Aid scholarship. (Courtesy of Etowah High School) Delta Kappa Gamma’s 2020 Red Rose Mahjong Tournament Grant-in-Aid recipient is Raylee Anna Christian. Christian is a 2020 graduate from Etowah High School. Following graduation, she will be attending Gadsden State Community College in

Photo: Pictured above from left to right, Crown Consulting Group’s Lenzy Williams, Etowah County Rural Transportation Director Lora Weaver and driver Brenda Davis smile for a photo on Friday June 12 after discussing the safety measures put in place to protect the local community. (Katie Bohannon/Messenger) By Katie Bohannon, Staff Writer Following Gov. Kay Ivey’s

Photo: Pictured above from left to right, Twin City Used Car Sales’ Bobby Ledbetter, Secretary of State John Merrill and former representative Craig Ford participate in the drive-through lunch pickup on Saturday, June 13 at the Gadsden Mall. (Courtesy of Craig Ford) The Gadsden Mall was swirling with activity this past Saturday, June 13. It

Photo: Pictured above, Gadsden’s Printup building located on 135 N. Fourth Street serves as Alabama Home Healthcare Providers’ primary office location. (Katie Bohannon/Messenger) By Katie Bohannon, Staff Writer The first Black home healthcare provider in Alabama is potentially establishing its agency in Gadsden. Despite a few setbacks, Alabama Home Healthcare Providers innovator W. Charles Jackson

Where were you born and raised? Gadsden, AL Turkeytown/Coats Bend. What is your occupation?  I am a Licensed Bachelor of Social Work and Mental Health professional and work as the Community Outreach Coordinator for Gadsden Regional Behavioral Health. What made you decide to work in your field? I have always enjoyed helping others and advocating

Photo: Ashville High graduate J’Brelin Cook (pictured seated at center) is joined by family members and coaches while signing a track scholarship with Montevallo University on June 12. (Chris McCarthy/Messenger) By Chris McCarthy, Publisher/Editor A trio of recent Ashville High School graduates realized their dreams of playing sports at the next level. Tori Layfield, Ty

Photo: Customers visit the iconic downtown Gadsden Variety & Deli located at 422 Broad Street as the business sits for sale until its doors close on July 3. (Katie Bohannon/Messenger)  By Katie Bohannon, Staff Writer After seven successful and rewarding years, an iconic downtown business is facing a different chapter in its story. Though Gadsden

Photo: St. James Catholic School principal Michele Adams smiles for a photo in the school’s garden. Adams will retire this year after 30 years in education. (Katie Bohannon/Messenger)  By Emma Kirkemier, Editorial Assistant and Katie Bohannon, Staff Writer/Photographer Michele Adams is retiring this year after a seven-year administrative tenure as principal at St. James Catholic School

Photo: West End football players Hunter Tucker (left) and Kaleb Pierce (right) listen as head coach Kyle Davis (center) gives instructions during a summer workout session last Monday (June 8) in Walnut Grove. (Chris McCarthy/Messenger)  By Chris McCarthy, Publisher/Editor Slowly but surely, area student-athletes are shaking off several weeks’ worth of rust from the spring coronavirus

2020 Westbrook Christian graduate John Reese Bellew (pictured above) was one of 15 students to receive the Lutzie 43 Foundation’s Prepared for Life Scholarship, which is awarded to deserving students who show their commitment to being a good influence on their community through leadership and initiative. The scholarship winners also will serve as ambassadors for