News

By Sarrah Peters News Editor On August 11, Southern Heritage BBQ had a ribbon cutting for the new restaurant located at 215 Gilbert’s Ferry Road in Attalla. The business’s owners Craig Cantrell and Steve Cole met at work, where they took lunch breaks at the same time. When Cantrell asked Cole about welding him a

By Sarrah Peters News Editor Gadsden City School District students returned to class on Monday, August 6, and new superintendent Tony Reddick spent the first two days of class out and about. He visited nine schools on Monday, where he personally welcomed back teachers and students. On Tuesday, he spoke with the Gadsden City Council

Name: Kent Back Where were you born and raised? “I was born in Middletown, Ohio. I was raised in Gadsden since I was 2 years old.” What is your occupation? “I am the President of Bowman & Back, Inc., located in downtown Gadsden. We recover capital for our clients and improve efficiencies in Waste Stream

By Kaitlin Fleming, Staff Correspondent On July 26, Gadsden State Community College hosted groundbreaking ceremonies for construction projects taking place on three of its campuses. The first ceremony was held at the Ayers Campus, where an addition to the Cheaha Career Center is under construction. The second ceremony took place at the East Broad campus in

By Sarrah Peters, News Editor Magic was in the air at the Gadsden Public Library on Tuesday, July 31! To celebrate Harry Potter’s birthday, the library was transfigured into the Wizarding World of Harry Potter with a series of events that lasted all day. This is the second year the library has hosted the event. Staff

By Sarrah Peters, News Editor The Gadsden-Etowah Chamber of Commerce and East Alabama Works recently teamed up to hold an educators workforce development workshop. Marketing and Events Manager Suzy Jouben said that the Chamber had some leftover funds from its Excellence in Education award ceremony held earlier this year and wanted the money to be used

By Sarrah Peters, News Editor The Humane Society Per Rescue and Adoption Center is offering an election month promotion. For the month of August, all the dogs (re-pup-licans) and cats (demo-cats) can be adopted for $50. Humane Society Director Christi Brown wanted to reassure potential adopters that the reduced adoption fee still includes everything the Humane

Name: Debby Carden Where were you born and raised? “I was born in Gadsden and lived there until I was nine years old, and we then moved to Attalla.  So I guess you would say Attalla is my hometown. I loved growing up here, and I am blessed to still have as some of my

By Sarrah Peters, News Editor A local teen is making waves in the world of obstacle courses. Allie Condy, a 13-year old Rainbow Middle School student entering the eighth grade, started doing obstacle courses a year ago with her father, Ryan, a trainer and coach at Absolute Fitness in Rainbow City. Condy first competed in the

By Sarrah Peters, News Editor Members of the Etowah County Mega Sports Complex Authority gave an update on the complex’s progress at the Gadsden-Etowah Chamber of Commerce’s monthly Biscuits and Gravy event on July 24. Ralph Burke, the authority’s chair, talked about the research the committee has done. “One of the things we’ve been doing over

By Sarrah Peters, News Editor Jessica Fortune Barker is the Democratic candidate for State Board of Education, District 8, which encompasses Madison, Jackson and Etowah counties, as well as parts of DeKalb and Limestone counties. Barker graduated from J.O. Johnson High School in Huntsville. “I am a graduate of the District 8 system,” said Barker. “I

Name: Beth Crain Where were you born and raised? “I was born in Gadsden with the rest of my family (my mom, dad and two brothers). We moved to Louisville, Kent., when I was very young for my father to pursue his Pastoral Degree and later obtain his Doctrine in Theology.  I’ve also lived in

By Kaitlin Fleming Staff Correspondent Less than 11 percent of Etowah County voters turned out for the run-off elections on Tuesday, July 17. Gadsden architect Craig Lipscomb won against former Ashville Mayor Robert McKay with 55 percent of the vote to claim the Republican nominations for the District 30 Alabama House seat. “It was a

By Sarrah Peters News Editor On Monday, July 16, the Gadsden Public Library held a groundbreaking ceremony for the new Open Spaces Sacred Places sensory garden. The new garden will be located on the patio of the Gadsden Public Library, located at 234 College Street. “It’s going to primarily by herbs and other aromatic plants,”

By Sarrah Peters News Editor The City of Attalla recently opened a new storm shelter beside Carnes Recreation Center in Camp Sibert, located just off of Highway 77. “We have guidelines for the use of the shelter,” said City Engineer Jason Nicholson. “It opens when Etowah County is placed under a tornado watch.” The storm

By Sarrah Peters News Editor Every year around Veterans Day, the Gadsden Museum of Art hosts an exhibit that features items from various wars the United States has been involved in as well as highlighting local contributions to the wars. This year the museum will feature World War I artifacts in an exhibit that will

By Kaitlin Fleming Staff Correspondent At the Monday, July 15 Attalla City Council Meeting State Rep. Craig Ford announced a $200,000 grant to the City of Attalla’s Sewage and Water Board. This grant will be used to update sewage lines, manhole covers and water lines in the city limits. Attalla Mayor Larry Means stated that

By Kaitlin Fleming Staff Correspondent Relevé Academy of Performing Arts, formally known as Strut USA, is focusing oncommunity needs and giving back to local children. On Tuesday, July 10, Relevé hosted a meet and greet with Disney Princess Ariel from Little Mermaid. The event was open to students and non-students. At the event, children took

By Sarrah Peters, News Editor On June 26, the Gadsden City Board of Education approved Kevin Young as the new principal of Gadsden City High School. Young said that he was pleased by the support of the board and their confidence in him. “This is where I want to be,” said Young. “I’m really excited to

Name: Ben Reed Where were you born and raised? “I was born and raised in Gainesville, Georgia.” What is your occupation? “I am the councilman for Gadsden City Council District 7.” What made you decide to work in your field? “I wanted to get involved in community service.” Tell us about your family and pets.

By Sarrah Peters, News Editor Sports enthusiasts, Boy Scout supporters and locals flocked to 210 at the Tracks in Gadsden on Thursday, June 21 to enjoy a good meal and more at the 2018 American Values Steak Social. Attendees enjoyed drinks and food (steak, of course) while they socialized with each other. During the event, a

By Kaitlin Fleming, Staff Correspondent The 4th of July is right around the corner and the temperature is rising in Alabama. So how can you and your family stay safe and have fun this summer? The most important part of staying safe is staying aware of the dangers that accompany the vacation months. A couple of

By Sarrah Peters, News Editor There is plenty of fun to be had around Etowah County during the upcoming week in celebration of July 4. On Tuesday, July 3, Big Wills Creek Campground and Tubing in Attalla will host “Fireworks on the Creek.” The fireworks kick off at 9 p.m., but before the show Ashton Wilson

Name: Drew Southers Where were you born and raised? “Chatsworth, Georgia. It’s a very small town in North Georgia located in the mountains. Beautiful place.” What is your occupation? “Marketing Manager for Downtown Gadsden, Inc.” What made you decide to work in your field? “I’m a creative and social person and with marketing, I get

By Sarrah Peters, News Editor On Tuesday, June 19, City of Gadsden officials hosted a kick-off event for the beginning of construction on the city’s new Black Creek Complex. The Black Creek Complex, located at 215 North 21st Street next to the new Boys and Girls Club in the former General Forrest Junior High School, will

By Sarrah Peters, News Editor On Tuesday, June 19, The Mary G. Hardin Center for Cultural Arts hosted Atlanta sisters Linda Mitchell and Mary Anne Mitchell. The Hardin Center is currently displaying the sisters’ works in the Landscape of Dreams: New Works from the Mitchell Sisters exhibit. The sisters discussed their works and answered questions from

By Kaitlin Fleming, Staff Correspondent Approximately 5 million adults over the age of 60 have been victims of abuse. In Etowah County alone there were 309 cases of elder abuse in 2017. The Council on Aging of Etowah County hosted the 13th annual Elder Abuse Summit last Wednesday, June 20, in commemoration of World Elder Abuse

Name: Tony Reddick What is your occupation? “I am the newly appointed Superintendent of the Gadsden City School System.” What made you decide to work in your field? “It was recommended to me that I consider the field of education after I returned to Gadsden after three years in Massachusetts working in the semi-conductor industry.”

By Kaitlin Fleming, Staff Correspondent On Friday, June 8, the Etowah Historical Society welcomed a special guest speaker for its meeting, City of Attalla Mayor Larry Means. Means, who was born and raised in Attalla, gave a 45- minutes presentation on the history of the city. From its beginnings in coal and ore mining, to the

By Sarrah Peters, News Editor The Etowah County Sheriff’s Office hosted the 8th Annual Student Leadership Academy this past week. Etowah County Sheriff Todd Entrekin started the program in 2011, and it is directed by Chief Deputy Michael Barton.  The students participating in the program were nominated by their principals. The principals nominated two incoming high