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

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

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: 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: 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: Pictured above, Skeet (left) and Imogene (right) Martin smile with their Glencoe Beautification Award sign at their home on Tuesday, June 2. The couple were presented with the award by the beautification board, Mayor Charles Gilchrist, Glencoe city council members and Glencoe VFW Post 10408 members. (Katie Bohannon/Messenger) By Katie Bohannon, Staff Writer/ Photographer Two

Photo: Pictured above, local firefighters honor healthcare workers at Riverview Regional Medical Center during a shift change at the hospital on Wednesday May 20. (Katie Bohannon/Messenger) By Katie Bohannon, Staff Writer/Photographer In 1974, U.S. President Gerald Ford introduced the first EMS Appreciation Week to celebrate emergency medical service practitioners and their dedication to their communities. Nearly

Photo: Pictured above, Rainbow City Animal Shelter workers Avery Daniel (left) holds Nub, Amber Stitt (center) holds Hocus and Director Kristy Causey holds Pocus to promote Adopt-A-Cat Month during June. (Katie Bohannon/Messenger) By Katie Bohannon, Staff Writer While shelters provide great opportunities for animals to find loving homes year-round, American Humane recognizes June as Adopt-A-Cat Month

Photo: Pictured above, 2020 Etowah High School graduate Madison Bartlett was recently awarded the annual Jessica Howard Memorial Scholarship. Pictured, from left: City of Attalla Mayor Larry Means, Lillian Pilz, Madison Bartlett, Sandy Howard, Larry Howard. (Submitted photo) 2020 Etowah High School graduate Madison Bartlett is the winner of the annual Jessica Howard Memorial Scholarship.

Photo: Workers from Milam Construction lay the foundations for concession stands and bathrooms at the site of the Etowah County Mega Sports Complex in Rainbow City. Photo courtesy of Milam Construction. By Chris McCarthy, Publisher/Editor and Katie Bohannon, Staff Writer/Photographer After five years and several starts and stops, the state-of-the-art Etowah County Mega Sports Complex

Photo: Pictured above, Petty Officer Edward Moon (left) and Sgt. Frank Godfrey stand at attention as Gadsden City High School band director Steve Reagan plays “Taps” after placing a wreath on a war marker at Ola Lee Mize Patriots Park on Monday, May 25. By Katie Bohannon, Staff Writer For the past 20 years or

Pictured above, construction is well underway on the Koch Foods’ new feed mill and distribution facility off Burgess Road in Attalla. The construction is part of an $80 million dollar expansion of the company’s Etowah County facility. (Chris McCarthy/Messenger)  By Katie Bohannon/Staff Writer A $200,000 grant awarded by Gov. Kay Ivey will help supply infrastructure

Photos: Pictured above, members of the Ashville High School cross country and outdoor track teams gather for a photo last Monday (May 18) at the Ashville Piggly-Wiggly after shopping with the proceeds from their Miles for Meals Run-A-Thon. Pictured, from left: Kayla Simpson, Meghan McCarthy, Grace Staples, Callie Stewart, Emma Drinkard, Walker Griffith, Joe Stevens,

Photo: Sardis High senior Sadie Ross (right) receives her valedictorian medal from principal Wendy Gibbs during a parade at the school’s campus on May 13. Photo courtesy of Shannon J. Allen/Sand Mtn. Reporter. By Shannon J. Allen, Sand Mountain Reporter What’s believed to be the largest senior class in Sardis High School history at 139 members

With Memorial Day approaching, several local law enforcement officers, officials and supporters laid fresh wreaths down on at the Etowah County Law Enforcement Memorial on the grounds of the Etowah County Courthouse on May 15 to honor local officers who fell in the line of duty. The names of fallen officers from Etowah County inscribed

Ashville High School senior Cesar Segura of Steele recently earned a four-year full academic scholarship to Yale University in New Haven, Conn. Cesar (pictured above) graduated AHS with a 4.396 grade point average and has been ranked No. 1 on the school’s Super Seven for highest GPA for his freshman, sophomore, junior and senior years.

Photo: Pictured above, Duck Springs resident and Back Country Horsemen of America member Chad Jones and his horse Chief get set to clear debris from the equestrian trails at Wind Creek State Park in Alexander City. Photo courtesy of Ponda Jones. By Katie Bohannon, Staff Writer/Photographer and Chris McCarthy, Publisher/Editor Following the April 19 tornado that

Photo: Pictured above, Alan Dale Howard performs a song during his livestream concert to raise money for Feeding America on Thursday April 23. Photo courtesy of Alan Dale Howard. By Katie Bohannon, Staff Writer When families nationwide are struggling to overcome the results of COVID-19, one local musician mustered his talent to generate some relief.

Photo: Pictured above, Gaston High School senior Gracie Wood smiles while receiving her cap and gown at Gaston’s drive-through celebration for the Class of 2020 on Friday, May 1. By Katie Bohannon, Staff Writer When Gaston seniors arrived at their high school on Friday, May 1, they received much more than a cap and gown.

2016 Gadsden City High School graduate Laura Minton (pictured above) will graduate summa cum laude this month from Auburn University with a 4.0 grade point average with a degree in Biomedical Sciences and with the highest University Honors College Scholar Distinction. Laura received a full ride Auburn Presidential academic scholarship, in addition to other leadership,

May 12, 1928 – May 5, 2019 God called your name so softly, that only you could hear And no one heard the footsteps of angels drawing near The golden gates stood open; God saw you needed rest. His garden must be beautiful – He only takes the best. The world changes from year to

By Chris McCarthy, Publisher/Editor After finishing the final semester of high school at home due the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, Westbrook Christian’s 56-member senior class recently returned to the school’s Rainbow City campus and received a collective pat on the back. While picking up graduation their caps and gowns last Tuesday (May 5), WCS seniors were

Photo: Pictured above from left to right, George Wallace Senior Center volunteers Betty Woodward, Faye Moore, Liz Cline and Vicki Scott prepare hot meals for seniors. Photo courtesy of Vicki Scott. By Katie Bohannon, Staff Writer While local seniors might feel disheartened during a time when their normal routines are turned upside down, the George

By Katie Bohannon, Staff Writer and Chris McCarthy, Publisher Ninety-one years ago, Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company established a plant in Gadsden that created tremendous economic value for the community and state, providing jobs for thousands of families. Today, with manufacturing suspended due to COVID-19 and under 530 workers, Gadsden’s Goodyear plant drifts into murky