News

By Sarrah Peters, News Editor On Monday, May 27, people gathered at Ola Lee Mize Patriots Park at Noccalula Falls inn Gadsden to remember the reason for the Memorial Day holiday: the soldiers who have died fighting for our country. City of Gadsden Mayor Sherman Guyton encouraged people to keep remembering our military and veterans, especially

By Sarrah Peters, News Editor The cast of the Noccalula Experience, an immersive theater performance based on the local legend of Princess Noccalula, has been rehearsing for the last few weeks, and everything is in place to open the show this weekend. The show will be held from May 31 to June 7 on Friday through

By Sarrah Peters News Editor The fifth annual Bash in the Bend will be held Saturday, June 1 at 103 Robert Lee Road in Gadsden. Five years ago, neighbors Jeff Little, Shane Reid and Mark Cassidy decided to host a cookout in Tillison Bend the weekend of Father’s Day on their several acres of property.

By Kaitlin Fleming Staff Correspondent The Gadsden City Council may soon vote on a new benefit plan for city employees that may see those same workers pay an additional 1.5 percent from their paychecks, according to city council members. On Monday, May 20, councilmember Deverick Williams suggested during a finance meeting that it would be

By Kaitlin Fleming Staff Correspondent Local fifth grader Emily Ragsdale sold 2,222 boxes of Girl Scout Cookies, which is well above the 200-500 box national average and landed her the title of Top Cookie Seller in all of Etowah County. Ragsdale was excited about selling the most of her troop, which is part of the

By Sarrah Peters News Editor On Monday, May 13, Rainbow City took steps to protect the investment it has made into the Etowah County Mega Sports Complex. A bill introduced by State Senator Andrew Jones created uncertainty about the Sports Complex’s future. The bill is very similar to the one State Representative Becky Nordgren advertised

By Sarrah Peters News Editor In 1975, Juanita Moman opened an eyeglass dispensary called Moman’s Eyecare at 227 Broad Street. Moman’s Eyecare has the distinction of being the oldest retail business on Broad Street. Now, after 44 years in business Moman’s is closing its doors. Juanita’s inspiration to open Moman’s came from her love of

By Sarrah Peters News Editor On Thursday, May 9, the Etowah Chamber took the time to honor the many great educators in the county at the second annual Excellence in Education Award Luncheon. “We have so many wonderful things going on in our educational systems,” said Chamber President Heather Brothers New. “So, Excellence in Education

By Sarrah Peters News Editor Sports enthusiasts, Boy Scout supporters and locals flocked to 210 at the Tracks in Gadsden on Tuesday, May 7 to enjoy a good meal and more at the Etowah Boy Scouts Steak Social. Attendees enjoyed drinks and food (steak, of course) while they socialized with each other. During the event,

By Sarrah Peters News Editor Oscar Adams Elementary Schools is proud to announce that over the last year, its students have been reading a ton. Even students in kindergarten have been reading books and taking Accelerated Reading (AR) tests. Through the tests taken, a school can track the number of books and words read by

Name: Chance Goodwin Where were you born and raised? “I was born in Gadsden and raised in Hokes Bluff.” What is your occupation? “Principal of C.A. Donehoo Elementary School and Minister of Saks Church of Christ in Anniston.” What made you decide to work in your field? “From a young age I wanted to be

By Sarrah Peters, News Editor On Tuesday, April 30, the YMCA of the Coosa Valley held its 26th annual Youth in Government Day. Gadsden City High School students were invited to Gadsden City Hall to learn about how government works with an inside look into the process. “The mission of our Youth in Government Day is

By Sarrah Peters, News Editor On Saturday May 4, the 2019 Gadsden Heart Walk will be held at the Gadsden Mall at 8 a.m. The walk starts at 9 a.m. Participants will be walking in the James D. Martin Wildlife Park. The Gadsden Heart Walk is a free event that aims to raise funds for the

Name: Tom Banks Where were you born and raised? “Besides college, I’ve spent my entire life in Gadsden.” What is your occupation? “I’m the deputy director of the Gadsden Cultural Arts Foundation, overseeing the Foundation’s programs and projects, including the Hardin Center for Cultural Arts, Imagination Place Children’s Museum, the Etowah Youth Orchestras, and the

By Kaitlin Fleming, Staff Correspondent Local city mayors are indignant over an advertised “home rule” bill that would allow the Etowah County Commission to raise taxes without the consent of municipalities. State Senator Andrew Jones from Cherokee County advertised the bill that would grant the county the authority to levy taxes, abate nuisances and impose late

By Sarrah Peters, News Editor Art on the Rocks began as a project of the Gadsden Woman’s Club in 1958, when the club decided to do an summer art show. The first art show featured over 100 artists and their works at Noccalula Falls. This art show sparked the Gadsden Art Association. The art association sponsored

By Sarrah Peters, News Editor The City of Attalla is proud to debut new loft apartments in the downtown area. The city owns the buildings the lofts are located in and have been working for several months to refurbish them. Located above The Cozy Nest, the apartments are accessed from the rear of the building. The

Name: Ron Daugherty Where were you born and raised? “I was born and raised in Hokes Bluff.” What is your occupation? “Teacher/Coach.” What made you decide to work in your field? “The teachers and coaches that I had.” Tell us about your family and pets. “I have three children, Greyson (21), Reece (9) and Raynlee

Former Circuit Court Judge David Kimberley (pictured above) recently joined Cusimano, Roberts & Mills, a Gadsden-based law firm known for its personal injury and consumer litigation work in Alabama and across the country. Prior to winning his seat on the bench in 2006, Kimberley practiced law for more than 20 years with the Cusimano firm.

By Madison Cannon, Staff Correspondent This past Sunday (Apr. 14), a life was remembered for being ahead of his time and mourned for being forgotten for so many years. The Keener Community along with the Keener Baptist Church held a ceremony for Mr. William L. Moore, a U.S. postman who made the decision to march from

By Sarrah Peters, News Editor A set of triplets is graduating all three receiving academic honors and impressive extracurricular achievements from Hokes Bluff High School this spring. David Vest is graduating fifth in his class with a full scholarship to attend the University of Alabama in the fall, where he hopes to pursue a business degree.

By Sarrah Peters, News Editor Southside junior Kyler Smith recently received a perfect 36 score on the ACT. Smith said that the score did not come as a big surprise because he had scored a 35 last time. He is graduating fifth in his class and is applying to University of Alabama-Huntsville and the Massachusetts Institute

Name: Glen Williams Where were you born and raised? “I was born and raised in Etowah County and Hokes Bluff.” What is your occupation? “Marketing, advertising and now real estate.” Tell us about your family and pets. “My wife of 27 year, Felicia, is a cosmetologist. My son Jason has one child named Lana. My

By Sarrah Peters, News Editor On April 8, the James M. Barrie Center for Children held its annual Pinwheel Ceremony during which staff presented the center’s annual report to the community. The Barrie Center works collaboratively with law enforcement to investigate instances of child abuse. The staff provides forensic interviews, evaluations and therapy for children who

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