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Messenger file photo by Chris McCarthy Several area football players were recognized in the Alabama High School Athletic Association’s Prep Spotlight for Week 4. Southside’s Michael Rich completed 10 of 12 passes for 285 yards and four touchdowns in the Panthers’ 49-7 victory over Sardis. Etowah’s NyNy Davis had 11 receptions for 176 yards and

Photo: The Ashville High volleyball team gathers for a photo after winning the Coosa Christian Invitational Tournament last Saturday (Sept. 26) in Gadsden. Pictured, first row, from left: Elizabeth Franklin, Brynn Bothwell, AD Engle, Ryleigh Waid, Callie Stewart, Rayne Ford. Second row, from left: manager Elijah Turner, assistant coach Meghan Duren, Hannah England, Josey Rakestraw,

Submitted photo  Several local runners medaled at 5K events last Saturday (Sept. 26). At the Scottsboro Invitational, Glencoe High’s Katie Giles (pictured above) won her third 5K of the season out of a field of 62 competitors with a PR time of 19:57.67 in Class 1A-4A girls event. The Lady Yellow Jackets finished in third

Photo: Southside’s Smiley Jones tackles Sardis’ Landon Carroll during the Panthers’ 49-7 victory in high school football last Friday (Sept. 25) in Sardis City. (Chris McCarthy/Messenger)  By Cole Frederick/Sports Correspondent Southside scored on its first seven drives and controlled the game from start to finish in a 49-7 win over Sardis last Friday (Sept. 25)

Photo: Spring Garden’s Ryley Kirk (7) gets off a pass just before the arrival of Hokes Bluff’s Cole Turner during the Eagles’ 42-28 victory in high school football last Friday (Sept. 25). (Courtesy of Alex Chaney)  Glencoe 21, Douglas 21 (OT) Nolan Fairley’s 20-yard touchdown in overtime gave Glencoe a 27-21 victory over Douglas last

By Katie Bohannon, News Editor Gadsden City School System’s students are heading back to the physical classroom on September 28, returning to face-to-face instruction after starting the school year remotely. When students arrive at their respective schools in late September, they will do so through an alphabetically staggered process. Each student will only attend school in

Gadsden Public Library Children’s Department Director Jill Reeves (left) and GPL employee Paulette Makary demonstrate how to donate items for the coat drive. By Katie Bohannon, News Editor As the weather turns crisp and summer fades, one local organization recognizes the needs that arise with the new season. The Children’s Policy Council of Etowah County is

By Katie Bohannon, News Editor Bayleigh Phillips never meets a stranger. A natural social butterfly with a jovial sense of humor, Phillips is a dedicated student – even if socializing with friends was her favorite subject. She enjoys cooking, grilling and golfing, and always finds herself enthusiastic for adventures and road trips. But while all these

Pictured above, The Greenes smile for a family photo. From left to right: Andrew, Autumn, Ben, Rozlyn, Lauren, Keegan and Braylen. By Katie Bohannon, News Editor Rozlyn Greene is a name few people do not recognize. As the month of September represents a time to recognize the families and individuals affected by childhood cancer, Rozlyn represents

Pictured above, Modern Woodmen’s Morgan Lavender discusses the business. Modern Woodmen of America is a member-owned fraternal financial services organization. Together with our more than 740,000 members, we’ve been touching lives and securing futures since 1883. Throughout Modern Woodmen’s history, our members have touched lives and secured futures nationwide. Today members remain connected by common

By Cole Frederick/Staff Correspondent The stranglehold COVID-19 placed on sports from March to July left plenty of doubt as to whether or not college football would be played at all this fall. The season was delayed, two Power 5 conferences postponed the 2020 season and nonconference games were eliminated in the Southeastern Conference. Nevertheless, it’s

Photo: Southside’s Macey Herren (3) tips the ball backs towards Gadsden City’s Tochi Osuji during the Lady Panthers’ match victory in high school volleyball last Monday (Sept. 21). (Chris McCarthy/Messenger)  Southside split a tri-match at Springville last Tuesday (Sept. 22). The Lady Panthers (14-11) lost to Springville, 13-25, 22-25, 15-25 before defeating Hewitt-Trussville, 21-25, 25-15, 15-9.

Released September 23 Class 7A Rank Record Points 1. Thompson 5-0 276 2. Hoover 5-0 205 3. Auburn 5-0 181 4. Hewitt-Trussville 4-1 160 5. Central-Phenix City 3-2 137 6. Prattville 4-1 101 7. Fairhope 3-1 73 8 (tie). Daphne 3-1 53 8 (tie). Theodore 4-1 53 10. Austin 4-1 49 Others receiving votes: James

Messenger file photo by Chris McCarthy Several area football players were recognized in the Alabama High School Athletic Association’s Prep Spotlight for Week 4. Etowah’s Trent Davis rushed for 100 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries and caught three passes for 62 yards and a score in the Blue Devils’ 24-0 victory over Ashville.

Photo: Ashville High’s Wyatt Knight took first place in the boys Class 1A-4A division at the Fairview Invitational 5K on Sept. 19. (Chris McCarthy/Messenger)  By Chris McCarthy, Publisher/Editor The Ashville High boys and girls’ cross country teams are quietly making a name for themselves this season. The girls won their third meet of the year and

Photo: Hokes Bluff’s Connor Faulkner (10) avoids Glencoe’s Carson Naylor (right) before encountering Eli Huff (24) during the Eagles’ 42-0 victory on Sept. 18. (Courtesy of Alex Chaney) The Etowah special teams blocked four Ashville punts, including on three straight Bulldog possessions, on the way to a 24-0 shutout over Class 4A, Region 6 rival

Realtors Steph Brown and Leslie Hopper created At Home to better serve individuals and families in the community looking to buy or sale their homes. Give brief background information about yourself. Where were you born and raised? Steph: I was raised in Alabama and gra-duated from Arab High School.  I have been married for 25

Photo: Pictured above, Etowah County Sheriff Jonathon Horton (pictured at far left) stands with award recipients at the employee banquet on Friday, September 11. By Katie Bohannon, News Editor On the 19th anniversary of September 11, the Etowah County Sheriff’s office held a banquet for local first responders to honor their unwavering dedication and commitment to

Photo: Pictured above, artist Tanner Dixon (left) and his wife Kaitlyn collaborate on murals at The Venue. By Katie Bohannon, News Editor As the excitement of the Gadsden Mall’s latest entertainment venue brews, one local artist is doing his part to contribute to the venture’s success. Gadsden graffiti artist Tanner Dixon makes his mark on The

Pictured above, Joey (standing left), Ashley (standing center), Lydia (standing right) and Mollie Millican (sitting left) smile for a family photo. By Katie Bohannon, News Editor As September recognizes the families worldwide who battle childhood cancer with their children, one Etowah County family represents a victorious testimony of the importance of togetherness and the power of

Photo: Westbrook Christian’s Ryan Scott (1) catches a touchdown pass in front of Southeastern’s Austin Arriaga during the Warriors’ 24-14 victory in high school football on September 11 in Rainbow City. (Chris McCarthy/Messenger) Will Noles finished with 142 total yards and four touchdowns in Westbrook Christian’s 24-14 win over Class 2A, Region 6 rival Southeastern.

By Katie Bohannon, News Editor Gadsden City Council members Deverick Williams and Jason Wilson joined together for a press conference on Tuesday, September 8 to discuss a committee that has been in the works for months. Williams and Wilson announced the formation of the Human Relations Advisory Committee (HRAC) to facilitate equitable opportunities in all aspects

Founded in 1987, Tradebank International is an international barter exchange company headquartered in Cumming, Georgia. One of the largest barter exchanges in the world, Tradebank represents thousands of business owners and professionals with regional offices across the U.S. and Canada. How did Tradebank establish in Gadsden? Tradebank was in Gadsden, but there wasn’t a local

Pictured above, Project SEARCH interns receive Smart Work Ethics certification. Pictured from left on back row: Andrew Davis, David Hodges, Kris McCormick. Pictured from left to right on middle row: Shelieyah Moore and Lily Ann Chesnut Front: Kristionna Hunter. Photo courtesy of Project SEARCH. By Katie Bohannon, News Editor For years, the non-profit organization Etowah County

Photo: West End’s Rocko Sainsbury (left) hands off to Isaiah Roberson during the Patriots’ 44-13 loss to Cleveland on Sept. 10 in Walnut Grove. (Shannon J. Allen/Sand Mountain Reporter)  By Shannon J. Allen/Sand Mountain Reporter West End trailed 14-7 and was driving in Cleveland territory on Thursday night when quarterback, Eli Pearce suffered a right

Photo: Pictured above, Reginae (left) smiles with her sister Jaliyah (center) and her mother Echo (right). By Katie Bohannon, News Editor Reginae Marbury is a name that evokes one powerful word to mind: inspiration. As September serves as a time of reflection and raising awareness for childhood cancer, Reginae’s mother remembers a life unburdened by illness,

By Marty Dixon/Staff Correspondent It’s been a long week of fishing, with little rewards. I did not get any on Friday, but I cooked some crappie for my mom and dad. I broke out the fish fryer and deep-fried some crappie that Jonathon Nix provided for us. Brother Butch, who is the principal at West End

Released September 9 Class 7A Rank Record Points 1. Thompson 3-0 266 2. Hewitt-Trussville 3-0 214 3. Hoover 3-0 182 4. Auburn 3-0 165 5. Austin 3-0 131 6. James Clemens 2-1 97 7. Daphne 3-0 81 8. Central-Phenix City 1-2 66 9. Prattville 2-1 32 10. Fairhope 2-1 30 Others receiving votes: Oak Mountain

Messenger file photo by Chris McCarthy Southside-Gadsden’s Carnel Davis rushed for 215 yards and a touchdown on 25 carries as the Panthers rallied from a 11-point second half deficit to defeat Pell City, 22-17. Quarterback Michael Rich completed 9-of-20 passes for 197 yards and a touchdown, while Aulden Battles caught four passes for 133 yards

Photo by Chris McCarthy/Messenger By Chris McCarthy, Publisher/Editor Glencoe High sophomore Katie Giles (pictured above) won her second cross country event of the season at the Red Raider Invitational at Pleasant Valley High School last Saturday (Sept. 5). Giles’ winning time of 20:34.43 was 57 seconds faster than runner-up Taylor Knight of Ashville. The Glencoe girls