News

By Sarrah Peters, News Editor On Monday, April 9, the Etowah County Mega Sports Complex Authority held a meeting inviting legislators and the community to weigh in on a proposed bill that will dissolve the authority. In addition to authority members, the Etowah County Tourism Board, members of the Rainbow City Council, members of the Etowah

By Sarrah Peters, News Editor On April 9, the Gadsden City School Board election was held, electing several new councilmen and electing several board members that had previously been appointed. On Tuesday, January 22, Gadsden voters decided to take the city’s school board from appointed members to elected members. The Gadsden City Council certified incumbent Z’Andre

Name: Jared Brown Where were you born and raised? “I was born and raised in Gadsden, East Gadsden to be specific.” What is your occupation? “My current title is Assistant Director of Technical Operations in the Jacksonville State University Financial Aid Office.” What made you decide to work in your field? “God placed me in

By Sarrah Peters, News Editor Noccalula Falls’ Smoke on the Falls will celebrate its 10-year anniversary this year. The barbeque competition will be held on April 12 and 13. This event is sanctioned by the Kansas Barbeque Society. Admission will be free on Friday, April 12. Gates will be open from 4 to 7 p.m. A

By Sarrah Peters, News Editor Tommy Goodman was binge-watching a series on Facebook called Returning the Favor, hosted by Mike Rowe, well-known for his television show Dirty Jobs, when he encountered something that inspired him. Returning the Favor features do-gooders looking to make a difference in their communities, and one of the featured organizations was Sleep

By Sarrah Peters, News Editor On Tuesday, January 22, Gadsden voters decided to take the city’s school board from appointed members to elected members. The vote for school board members will be held on April 9. If necessary the run-off election will be held May 21. “I am hopeful and prayerful that an elected school board

Name: Tena King-Morgan Where were you born and raised? “I was born and raised in Anniston.” What is your occupation? “I am the owner of King’s Olive Oil Company.” What made you decide to work in your field? “I was attracted to the extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar business for the health benefits.

By Sarrah Peters, News Editor On Tuesday, March 26, the Gadsden Rainbow Fly Fishing Club gathered at Noccalula Falls to stock Black Creek Falls with 1,000 Coppernose Bluegill. Club members threw the fish in at the top of Noccalula Falls. State Representative Craig Lipscomb, a member of Gadsden Rainbow Fly Fishing Club, said that the stocking

By Sarrah Peters, News Editor Last year, Gadsden Public Library Director Craig Scott filled out an application to become a “giving partner” with Bombas socks, where the company would send socks for the homeless to the library for distribution. “They said it might take a while, so I had almost forgotten about it,” said Scott. On

Name: Charles Edward Gough Where were you born and raised? “I was born and raised in Mobile.” What is your occupation? “I am the owner and president at Charles Gough Insurance and Financial Services Inc., which is a full service insurance and financial services agency.” What made you decide to work in your field? “I

By Sarrah Peters, News Editor Tigers for Tomorrow is starting a new tradition. On March 30, the wildlife preserve, located at 708 County Road 345 in Attalla, will host Art on the Wild Side. Although this is the first year Tigers for Tomorrow has hosted the event, the preserve is planning to make this an annual

By Sarrah Peters, News Editor Duck Springs Elementary School started its Robotics Club this school year, and it is off to an awesome start. At the VEX IQ Robotics District Competition, five teams of fourth through sixth graders competed and qualified to attend the state competition, where all five teams made it to the finals. The

Name: Tara Gibson Leeth Where were you born and raised? “I was born and raised in Gadsden.” What is your occupation? “I work at WinSouth Cre-dit Union, where I implement and oversee all of the marketing and advertising strategies. This past February marked my fifth year working at WinSouth!” What made you decide to work

By Sarrah Peters, News Editor On Tuesday, March 12, Governor Kay Ivey signed the proposed 10-cent gas tax raise into law after the bill passed in the state House and Senate. The current tax is 18 cents a gallon for gasoline and 19 cents a gallon for diesel. This bill will incrementally increase the tax over

By Sarrah Peters, News Editor The City of Gadsden will officially reopen Moragne Park on March 16. A ribbon cutting ceremony will be held at 10 a.m. City officials broke ground on the year-long renovation project in May of 2018. Boatner Construction Company, Inc., of Rainbow City was contracted to do the park’s renovation at a

Name: Shirley du Pont Where were you born and raised? “I grew up in Etowah County.”  What is your occupation? “I am working at being retired. I spent 30 years with the telephone company. I retired and worked another eight years as a contract employee.” What made you decide to work in your field? “When

By Sarrah Peters/News Editor On Tuesday, February 26, students enrolled in Etowah High School held an open house for its Career Tech programs and students attended a career fair. Students are enrolled in courses on Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, Education and Training, Health Science, Government and Public Administration and Human Services. Work-based learning, where

By Kaitlin Fleming Staff Correspondent Gadsden City schools are excited for 2019 and superintendent Tony Reddick said there is a lot to look forward to. “There is always something exciting going on,” said Reddick. Reddick, who was elected as the Gadsden City School Superintendent on June 12, 2018, outlined a broad plan for 2019 and

By Sarrah Peters News Editor While attending Alabama Power’s Elevate marketing conference, YMCA of the Coosa Valley Executive Director LeRoy Falcon was confronted with the question of “Who are you serving?” When asked to identify the trends the YMCA’s operation was seeing in attendance, Falcon noted that the majority of YMCA members were seniors. “For

By Kaitlin Fleming Staff Correspondent In 2018, the City of Gadsden welcomed several new businesses. One of the largest names that came to the city were LongHorn Steakhouse. Rock -N-Roll Sushi, Calcean Minerals and Materials LLC, and several other businesses opened their doors this past year as well. LongHorn Steakhouse opened on October 2 off

By Sarrah Peters News Editor There is a lot happening in Attalla! The City of Attalla is proud of the new business ventures, projects and events underway. The city reports several new businesses in the area. Bankston Motor Homes is currently building its new facility behind the Attalla Walmart. “They are one of the largest

By Sarrah Peters News Editor “I was at a restaurant one evening,” said Gadsden City Schools Superintendent Tony Reddick. “While there, someone approached me and said ‘Hey, you know we’ve got some of your Beautiful Rainbow students working here at the restaurant.’” Reddick sat and spoke with the chef about the difference the students make

By Sarrah Peters News Editor On Wednesday, February 20, Quality of Life Health Services (QOLHS) held its 7th annual Hearts In Motion event. The event started as a way to promote heart health in February because it is Heart Health Awareness Month. Hearts In Motion attendees were invited to participate in one of two exercises

By Sarrah Peters News Editor On Sunday, February 24, the YMCA of Coosa Valley will continue a family tradition with its Father/Daughter Sweetheart Dance. The event will start at 6 p.m. at The Venue at Coosa Landing. “We’re going to have a little more room to spread out this year,” said YMCA director LeRoy Falcon. “We’re excited about

By Sarrah Peters News Editor At Gadsden Public Library’s second weekly Black History Month program on February 11, local attorney Mary Carstarphen Kelley spoke to the crowd about the right to vote, its history in this country and the current legal issues threatening the freedom to vote in the United States. Kelley walked attendees through

Name: Cole Howard Where were you born and raised? “I was born and raised in Fort Payne.” What is your occupation? “I am the owner and operator of Blue Jug of Gadsden.” What made you decide to work in your field? “Upon graduating from JSU, I pondered as to what career I would apply myself

By Sarrah Peters/News Editor On Saturday, February 16, the Gadsden Kiwanis Club will host its 62nd annual Pancake Day from 6 a.m. until 2 p.m. This year, the fundraiser has moved to Gadsden’s new event facility, The Venue at Coosa Landing located at 201 George Wallace Drive in Gadsden. On Wednesday, February 6, Kiwanis Pancake

By Sarrah Peters/News Editor In April of 1963, a Baltimore postman named William Moore set out to walk from Chattanooga, Tenn., to Jackson, Miss., on U.S. Hwy. 11 in the hopes of delivering a letter he had written to the Mississippi Governor Ross Barnett protesting the state’s racial inequality. Moore never made it. He was

Name: Ray Cumby Where were you born and raised? “I was born in Houston, Texas and moved to Gadsden when I was around seven years old.” What is your occupation? “I am in the state police and I work part time at Southside Police. I am also co-owner at 911 Solutions. We outfit emergency vehicles.

By Sarrah Peters/News Editor On Saturday, January 26, the newly renovated Kiwanis Pavilion at Noccalula Falls hosted auditions for local actors to join the cast of  The Noccalula Experience. “We’ve really been surprised by how many Native Americans are coming out from the surrounding community to audition,” said production director and producer Brian Clowdus. “We’re