News

Pictured above, volunteers prepare delicious pancakes for guests in the “to-go” line during the annual Kiwanis Club Pancake Day at The Venue at Coosa Landing on Feb. 15. For much of the 20th century, Gadsden was an industrial-heavy town highlighted by rubber, textile and steel production. As those industries began to decline, local leaders began

Photo: Pictured above, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey promotes Koch Foods establishing a poultry feed-mill in Attalla at a ceremony in November 2019. The City of Attalla experienced major successes in 2019 that will propel the city into another prosperous year. In November of 2019, Attalla announced the groundbreaking for Koch Foods poultry feed-mill, a 130-acre

Pictured above, remodeling is underway at Glencoe’s Briarmead Shopping Center. The City of Glencoe witnessed several successes in 2019. The public safety building, built to include police and fire in the same building, was completed. The project put the entire public safety department together in a new 12,000 square foot building with improved communications and

Photo: Pictured above, Etowah County Economic Development Director Marilyn Lott smiles in front of the development plans for the Little Canoe Creek Mega-Site and Norfolk Southern Corporation Prime Site. By Katie Bohannon, Staff Writer In 2008, the Etowah County Commission began acquiring property adjacent to Little Canoe Creek with the goal of generating employment opportunities.

Photo: Pictured above, an artist’s rendering details the soccer portion of the Etowah County Mega Sports Complex located in Rainbow City and Gadsden after completion. By Katie Bohannon, Staff Writer After Craig Ford was elected to the state legislature in the early 2000s, an idea formed to research the attainable concept of a sports complex

Photo: Pictured above, Etowah County Sheriff Jonathon Horton serves his community. Photo courtesy of Etowah County Sheriff’s Office. By Katie Bohannon, Staff Writer On Jan. 14, 2019, Jonathon Horton assumed the role of Etowah County Sheriff. From the moment of his election, Horton pledged to serve his community, creating a safe, pleasant and prosperous environment for

Photo: Pictured above, Gadsden City High School students participate in GCHS’ annual Black History Month Program. Photo courtesy of Gadsden City High School. By Katie Bohannon, Staff Writer Since Gadsden City High School’s establishment in 2006, each year the school celebrates Black History Month with a program dedicated to African American traditions, achievements and contributions to

Photo: Pictured from left, Gadsden City High School Assistant Principal Brent Morgan, Alabama Power Community Relations Manager Spencer Williams, Gadsden City Schools Superintendent Tony Reddick and Director of Career Technical Education Dr. David Asbury gather for a photo during the Alabama Power check presentation on Feb. 19.  By Katie Bohannon, Staff Writer On Feb. 19,

Pictured above, a bride creates a fun look with props during one of the games played at the bridal show. By Katie Bohannon, Staff Writer While wedding planning proves a stressful, time-consuming task for some brides, Chic Occasions strives to eliminate the anxiety before the big day. Established in Atlanta, Chic Occasions traveled to Gadsden

Photo: Pictured above, Jairo Vargas serves as the CEO of Latino News. Photo courtesy of Birmingham Business Journal. In 1996, Jairo Vargas visited Alabama to attend his sons’ college graduation and discovered he faced a dire decision. An engineer in Columbia, Vargas could return to a country battling cartels and rebels or remain in the

Photo: Pictured above, Alaco Pharmacy located at 544 West Main Street in Glencoe near Big Chief undergoes renovations to its original building to better serve its customers. Alaco plans to reopen in April. Alaco Pharmacy opened in Glencoe in 1979 when Buy Wise Pharmacy was purchased and changed its name to Alaco Pharmacy. Alaco stands

Photo: Pictured above, Joyce Morris (left), Laniyah Williams (center) and Erica Williams smile for a photo after enjoying delicious pancakes at Gadsden Kiwanis Club’s 62nd annual Pancake Day held on Feb. 15 at The Venue at Coosa Landing. By Katie Bohannon, Staff Writer  The Gadsden Kiwanis Club’s 62nd annual Pancake Day was held on Feb.

Photo: Pictured above and left, Glencoe High School cheerleaders and coach Lexy Humphrey smile and pose with their medals and trophy after winning third place at the UCA Nationals finals in the Small Varsity Division II Game Day category. Pictured above and right, the Sardis High School cheerleaders and coaches pose with their white jackets,

Photo: Pictured above, Nancy Gardner (left) opens her arms to embrace a child while her sister Missy Stephens (right) shares a hug with another child at Music n’ Me. By Katie Bohannon, Staff Writer When Nancy Gardner and Missy Stephens were children, they discovered a love for music. Inspired by their experiences as elementary educators

Photo: Pictured above, Rainbow City Fly Fishing Club members Jim Dawson (left) and Terry Lester (right) release rainbow trout into Black Creek at Noccalula Falls. By Katie Bohannon, Staff Writer In November 2019, the Rainbow City Fly Fishing Club stocked 1,000 rainbow trout into Black Creek at Noccalula Falls. On the chilly morning of Feb.

Photo: Pictured above, Victory author Colin Edwards (right) stands beside his father Robby (left) as Robby delivers a sermon at church. Photo courtesy of Colin Edwards. By Katie Bohannon, Staff Writer On Feb. 5, Etowah County native Colin Edwards released his published novel Victory to readers worldwide. A culmination of God’s work in Edwards’ heart as

Photo: Pictured above, local film star Wes Weems smiles with his Oscar in Theater 14 at Gadsden Premiere Cinemas. By Katie Bohannon, Staff Writer Wes Weems fell in love with movies on the back of a firetruck. In 1980, Interplanetary Productions and Osmond Communications joined with director James Goldstone to film Mayday, Kent State, a

Where were you born and raised? I was born and raised in Gadsden. What is your occupation? I am a dentist/owner at Riverbend Family Dentistry What made you decide to work in your field? Oddly enough, as far back as kindergarten I have always wanted to be a dentist. Tell us about your family and

2016 Gadsden City High School graduate and Auburn University senior Laura Minton recently earned the biochemistry award at the 52nd Annual Southeastern Undergraduate Research Conference for her research on “The Effect of a ph-Dependent Arginine Switch on Protein-based Cofactor Formation in Catalase-peroxidase (KatG).” College undergraduate students from colleges across the southeast presented their research during

Photo: Pictured above, Tigers for Tomorrow’s Amala and Creed show that despite their young age, their love for each other is strong. Photo courtesy of Tigers for Tomorrow. Tigers for Tomorrow is setting out to help everyone enjoy Valentine’s Day as never before. In honor of St. Valentine, TFT is offering visitors a buy one, get

Photo: Pictured above, Glencoe High School Principal Wendy Tinker stands and smiles with her students in the school’s library, where she served as librarian for several years.  By Katie Bohannon, Staff Writer In early January, Glencoe High School welcomed Wendy Tinker as its new principal. As the school’s former librarian and assistant principal, Tinker adopts

Photo: Pictured above, troop leader Carolyn Jester’s local Girl Scout group smiles for a photo after raising goods for a food drive to support the community. By Katie Bohannon, Staff Writer On Jan. 7, the Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama launched their 2020 Girl Scout Cookie Season, officially beginning cookie sales for the new year. 

Photo: Pictured above, family surrounds Heart & Soul owner Debra Draper as she holds the blue ribbon at her official opening in downtown Attalla. By Katie Bohannon, Staff Writer The Chamber of Gadsden and Etowah County hosted a ribbon cutting for Heart & Soul at 413 4th Street Northwest in downtown Attalla on Jan 31.

Photo: Pictured above, Lesa Osborn smiles for the camera after discussing her efforts to prevent litter in the community.  By Katie Bohannon, Staff Writer While people often disregard a wrapper tangled in bushes or ignore an empty soda can on the roadside, one local woman refuses to look away. In an effort to eliminate the

Photo: Pictured above, Suzanne (left) and Steve (center) Scharfenberg receive the Impact Award while The Chamber’s VP of Finance and Administration Leslie Stephens (right) smiles. Pictured left, Etowah County Chief Administrative Officer Shane Ellison delivers the keynote speech at The Chamber luncheon. By Katie Bohannon, Staff Writer The Chamber of Gadsden Etowah County held its

Photo: Pictured above, DKG Mahjong tournament committee members smile for the camera at the Gadsden County Club. Front row seated from left to right: Chair Donna Spraggins, President Nancy Gardner and Susan Davidson. Back row standing from left to right: Jane Reynolds, Gail Spotnitz, Marian Ford, Susan Copeland, Nancy Smith, Barbara Russell and Denise Bearden.

Steel (pictured above, right) is a three-year-old American Bulldog available for adoption. Prior to arriving at the Etowah County Animal Shelter, Steel was abandoned and left in a vacant home. The ECAS staff showered Steel with love and affection, providing him with proper shelter, food and water. After such a difficult journey, Steel is ready to

Photo: Pictured above, Gadsden City School System Superintendent Tony Reddick (right) shares a joyful moment with Dr. Tara Donald Walls (left) before delivering the keynote speech as the Gadsden Inspirational Choir applauds at the 35th annual city-wide observance of Dr. Martin Luther King. Jr. Day in Gadsden. By Katie Bohannon, Staff Writer The 35th annual

Photo: Pictured above, local animal advocate Christi Brown (left) partners with Gadsden City Councilman Ben Reed (right) to develop an ordinance to ban inhumane tethering citywide.  Katie Bohannon, Staff Writer An upcoming tethering ordinance will affect Gadsden residents and pets soon, addressing an issue that has afflicted the city for years. The new tethering ordinance

Photos courtesy of Wags to Riches Photography.  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, the Etowah County Animal Shelter is featuring pets available for adoption. Hector