News

Photo: Pictured above, Chairman Washington smiles for the camera after discussing his hopes and goals for Etowah County. By Katie Bohannon, Staff Writer On Jan. 7, the Etowah County Commission appointed District 5 Commissioner Jeffrey Washington commission chairman. As the gavel was passed to Washington, a new opportunity arose for the 2020 chairman to better

Alabama Power recently named Gadsden native and Rainbow City resident Spencer Williams as the company’s Community Relations Manager. Williams will be responsible for external affairs and community development over Gadsden and Etowah County, effective immediately. Williams, who was born and raised in Gadsden and returned to the area in 2004, has deep roots in the

By Katie Bohannon, Staff Writer McGuffey Healthcare & Rehab First honored its longest-serving employee Jan. 10, dedicating a reception to a woman whose compassion and devotion affected countless lives for 54 years. After more than five decades of service, Jewell Dean Garrett entered retirement with recognition and the assurance that as she cared for people,

Photo: Pictured above, Attalla mayor Larry Means (center, holding scissors), Attalla city officials and local business owners join Lookout Mountain Goat Ranch Originals owner Kelly Farley (red jacket) with her goat, Yoga, in support of the art studio and boutique’s grand opening. Photo courtesy of Attalla Information and Development Center Director Debby Carden. By Katie Bohannon,

Photo: Pictured above, Gadsden State Community College faculty, staff and supporters celebrate Allen Hall’s completed renovations with a ribbon cutting to commemorate the event on Jan. 7. By Katie Bohannon, Staff Writer   The Chamber of Gadsden and Etowah County hosted a ribbon cutting for Gadsden State Community College’s Allen Hall on the Wallace Drive

Photo: Pictured above, the first baby born in Etowah County, Kiyane, sleeps in the arms of her mother, Tiyane, while members of her delivery team, Dr. Lindsay Frederick of Women’s Health Partners (right) and labor and delivery nurse Sonia Ashley (left) celebrate the baby’s arrival with New Year’s gifts and a door hanger to commemorate

Photo: Pictured above, VA social worker Tom Johnson receives a plaque from the Monday Group commemorating his time working with  veterans.  By Katie Bohannon, Staff Writer In the Gadsden Veterans Affairs Clinic located at 206 Rescia Ave, a sign reads “where courage meets compassion.” For those who served the United States military, one man met

Photo: Pictured above, a bear on Tigers for Tomorrow’s preserve takes a bite out of one of the unicorns made from recycled wrapping and tissue paper while visitors watch. Photo courtesy of Tigers for Tomorrow.  By Katie Bohannon, Staff Writer On Jan. 4, Tigers for Tomorrow welcomed visitors of all ages for “Claws, Paws and Unicorns,”

Photo: Pictured above, from left on the first row: Romy Torres, Anahi Saturno and Makayla Woods; pictured from on the second row: Grace Tolbert, Gwen Rikansrud, Martha Jimenez, Erick Gaytan, Jesse Domingo and Jaliyah Hawkins; pictured sitting from left on the stage floor: Sydney Morgan, Eli Morgan and Teyah Yates. St. James Catholic School presented

Photo: Pictured above,  Episcopal Day School students perform for the Gadsden Music Club as director Sharon Reynolds conducts the performance. The Gadsden Music Club met on Wednesday, Dec. 11 in the Music Center at Temple Beth Israel in Gadsden. The meeting is the first since the club’s 104th anniversary. President Carol Larkin presided the event,

Photo: Pictured above, dogs Scooby, Jake, Bama, Pumpkin and Champ are available for adoption.  While the holidays are often a time where pets are welcomed into new homes, following Christmas and Valentine’s Day, the majority of shelters are full. For those seeking to add a new addition to their families for the upcoming decade, the

Photo: Pictured above, Kahn, a tiger at the preserve, looks off into the distance as his photo is taken. Photo courtesy of www.tigersfortomorrow.org. For over 20 years, Tigers for Tomorrow educated guests about a humane relationship with animals and the environment humans and animals share. When predatory animals are discarded, unable to work or earn

Photo: Pictured above, Gadsden locals and visitors explore shops, restaurants and vendors as the sun sets on downtown Gadsden’s First Friday of the month. As a new decade begins, Downtown Gadsden, Inc. wants to take time to look back at 2019 and review all the successes downtown Gadsden achieved in 2019. New businesses, along with renovations

Photo: Standing from left, Breakaway Ministries board member David Surratt, founder Eddie Nichols, board members Tommie Goggans, Jett Parker and Cheryl Cornutt welcome children and their familes to The Megan Kelley Dream Center.  By Katie Bohannon, Staff Writer Breakaway Ministries hosted its second annual Inner-City Christmas Party at The Megan Kelley Dream Center, located at

By Craig Scott “Dad, where do we come from?” That question was asked by my son Alexander in 2008, not long after I started my job at the Gadsden Public Library.  I’m glad Alex was curious enough, because it started us on a great adventure, now almost 13 years in the making. I told Alex

Gadsden State Community College President Dr. Martha Lavender recently announced that Alan Smith has accepted the position of the dean of Workforce Development. He replaces Tim Green, who retired in October after 33 years of service. Smith has an accomplished record in education and business beginning with his own training as a student at Etowah

Photo: Angela and Dylan Rakestraw (left) smile for a photo with Jacob and Jennifer Fitts (right) at Attalla Elementary’s Young Entrepreneur Fair. By Katie Bohannon, Staff Writer Attalla Elementary School hosted its first ever Young Entrepreneur Fair Monday, Dec. 16, with great success. Fifth-grade students operated their own businesses, selling products to their peers and

By Katie Bohannon, Staff Writer Iva Nelson never thought much about local government until 1984, when she found herself working for the city of Gadsden in the clerk’s office. What began as a better job opportunity resulted in decades of dedication that earned recognition. Nearly 36 years later, the Alabama Association of Municipal Clerks awarded

By Katie Bohannon, Staff Writer McGuffey Healthcare in Gadsden raised awareness to a pertinent issue affecting Alabama this holiday season. For most people, the holidays conjure up images of family, friends, food and fellowship. However, for some nursing home residents, the holidays bring challenges. Nursing home residents often experience loneliness and depression during the holiday

Photo: The Rainbow City Coin Club held a meeting on Nov. 17 at Rainbow City Hall. Pictured, sitting, from left: Secretary Ellen Daniel, Billie Jennings, President Bill Daniel. Standing, from left: club treasurer Howard Jennings, Ronnie Watkins, board chairman Blaine Smith. By Katie Bohannon, Staff Writer The Rainbow City Coin Club hosted their final meeting of

Local animal advocate Christi Brown is demonstrating the power of grassroots conversation, dedication and kindness this holiday season. During a time when receiving gifts sparks excitement, Brown inspires others to give. Earlier this fall, Retired and Senior Volunteer Program’s Traci Pondick asked for Brown’s help promoting their Angel Tree that featured a record number of

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

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

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