News

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

By Sarrah Peters, News Editor On Monday, November 11, St. James Catholic School held a program honoring veterans in honor of Veterans Day. After Principal Michele Adams welcomed everyone and Deacon Fred Williams gave the Benediction, students presented the cross and American flag. Eighth grader Jesse Domingo presented the cross and seventh grader Will Morgan presented

By Sarrah Peters News Editor The Gadsden-Etowah Patriots Association will hold its 45th Annual Patriots Day Luncheon and Hall of Honor Induction Ceremony on Wednesday, November 6 at 11 a.m. at The Venue at Coosa Landing. The guest speaker this year is retired Master Sergeant Howard “Max” Mullen, Jr. Mullen served as a U.S. Army

By Kaitlin Fleming Staff Correspondent After 14 years of athletic training at Southside High School, Chris Clark recently became a full-time professor of Kinesiology at Jacksonville State University in July of 2019. Clark is just in time to witness JSU joining ranks with the likes of Sanford, Troy and West Alabama universities when it completes

By Sarrah Peters, News Editor At the Attalla City Council meeting on Monday, October 7, Attalla Mayor Larry Means presented Jack’s employee Cory Gilliam with a proclamation. Gilliam was working at Jack’s when Jessica Battles ran into the restaurant with her baby, E.J. Kilgro. Only a month old, baby E.J.’s skin had turned blue and

By Kaitlin Fleming, Staff Correspondent Michelle Gattis was just 47 years old when she was diagnosed with Stage 1 Breast Cancer. After a routine mammogram, Gattis was diagnosed on June 25, 2012. With Stage 1 Breast Cancer there are multiple treatment options, such as a lumpectomy, a single mastectomy, double (bilateral) mastectomy, hormone therapy, radiation therapy

By Sarrah Peters News Editor During downtown Gadsden’s First Friday event on October 4, the Gadsden Museum of Art will be the happening place to be. The museum is welcoming the Alabama Bicentennial traveling exhibit titled “Making Alabama.” The exhibit was created through a partnership with the Alabama Humanities Foundation, the Alabama State Bicentennial Commission

By Sarrah Peters News Editor On September 29, The Factory will hold Flip and Flutter from 4 to 6 p.m. The event will benefit children and families affected by childhood cancer. All of the funds raised will go to Smile-A-Mile, a non-profit that helps children with childhood cancer in Alabama by holding camps for affected

By Sarrah Peters News Editor In 2002, Colonel Parker Ray Tinsley, inspired by the success of World’s Longest Yard Sale and the U.S. 11 Antique Alley Sale, started the U.S. 411 Yard Sale, in part to bring people to the area. “We want to bring folks in to see our beautiful lakes, rivers, parks, mountains

By Sarrah Peters News Editor On Tuesday, September 16, about a dozen contractors and subcontractors met at the Etowah-Gadsden Chamber of Commerce for a pre-bid conference for the Etowah County Mega Sports Complex. The meeting was mandatory for contractors, landscapers and irrigation and turf specialists who plan to enter a bid for the construction of

By Kaitlin Fleming Staff Correspondent A local woman received a surprise reception and volunteer award on Friday, Sept. 13. Jessica Brown was chosen as a winner in AARP’s national Show Your Love volunteer contest and soon will embark on a week-long cruise as part of her award. The contest aims to inspire volunteers to go

By Sarrah Peters News Editor Rozlyn Greene, a Glencoe fourth-grader, passed away on Thursday, September 12 after battling leukemia. Greene returned home on August 9 after receiving several rounds of chemotherapy and was welcomed back by the Glencoe community. But although Greene has passed on, the community is not ready to stop rallying around her.

By Sarrah Peters News Editor On Wednesday, September 11, the City of Gadsden Beautification Board held its annual 9-11 Memorial at Patriots Park, located at the corner of Broad and Fourth streets in downtown Gadsden. Gadsden Beautification Board Chairperson Pat Sherman welcomed everyone to the event. Gadsden City District 1 Councilwoman Dr. Cynthia Toles gave

By Sarrah Peters News Editor On Wednesday, September 11, Mike Lutzenkirchen of the Lutzie 43 Foundation spoke to the students of Gadsden City High School. Mike is the father of Philip Lutzenkirchen, an Auburn football player that was part of the 2010 National Championship winning season. Philip had a brief stint in the NFL with

By Sarrah Peters News Editor On Tuesday, September 10, the Gadsden City Council introduced its proposed 2020 city budget. The proposed budget includes an increase for the city’s fire and police department’s pay. The city is currently 16 staff members down in the police department, and the city’s finance director Lisa Rosser said that she

By Sarrah Peters News Editor On Wednesday, September 4, Honda Manufacturing held a luncheon at The Venue in Gadsden to celebrate its economic impact in Alabama and its five supporting counties in the region, including Etowah County. According to an economic impact study conducted by the Center for Business and Economic Research at the University

By Sarrah Peters News Editor On Friday, August 30, more than 1,075 fifth grade students in Etowah County and Attalla school systems kicked off the Super Citizen Program. On Tuesday, September 3 about 550 second grade students in the Gadsden City School system followed suit. Students participating in the event waved flags and wore paper

Name: Victoria Paige Sims Where were you born and raised? “26 years in Fort Payne.” What is your occupation? “Car sales.” What made you decide to work in your field? “I love the customer service end of working with the public. Its not about the vehicle, it’s all about the customer! I jumped into this