News

By Kaitlin Fleming, Staff Correspondent America currently faces a drug crisis like never before. In 2016 alone, over 60,000 Americans died from a drug overdose. However, the students at Southside Elementary School are working to fight the drug epidemic in Etowah County. The City of Southside Police Department, Kenny Keenum, Joey Statumn, Becky Nordgren, Morgan Cunningham,

            By Kaitlin Fleming, Staff Correspondent Several Etowah High School seniors received awards and scholarships on May 18. In total, the students received $2.2 million dollars in scholarships. Of all 134 students graduating from Etowah High, six are entering the U.S. military. One of the scholarship recipients was Peyton Laughlin, who

By Sarrah Peters, News Editor Cherry Creek Village residents and staff wanted to give back to the community, so the senior living facility recently held a drive to collect items to donate to Etowah Baptist Mission Center. Residents, staff, visitors and even a resident that hadn’t moved in yet donated to the drive. Cherry Creek collected

By Sarrah Peters, News Editor In 2014, the Cove Acre Farms wedding and event venue opened in Hokes Bluff. The 12,000 square foot barn on the picturesque Cove Acre Farms was tranformed into a peaceful, charming space. Cove Acre Farms is now under new ownership. Cindy Johnson and her husband bought the property after falling in

By Sarrah Peters, News Editor **Correction made to reflect the Rainbow City location’s closing. Correction made 5-29-18**  FEMA is still taking registration for disaster relief from the March tornadoes that struck Jacksonville, Southside and parts of Rainbow City. FEMA External Affairs employee Robert Porreca encourages anyone who received damage from the storms to apply for aid.

Name: Iva Nelson Where were you born and raised? “I was born in Gadsden and have lived here my entire life.” What is your occupation? “I am City Clerk for the City of Gadsden.” What made you decide to work in your field? “I was looking for a better job opportunity and a friend asked

By Sarrah Peters/News Editor The American flag was at half-mast behind the Etowah County Law Enforcement Memorial on Tuesday, May 15 when Etowah County Sheriff Todd Entrekin took some time out of his day to remember the local law enforcement officers who lost their lives in the line of duty. Entrekin visited the memorial to

By Sarrah Peters/News Editor The Salvation Army Advisory Board hosted its annual meeting and awards ceremony on Tuesday, May 15 at the Downtown Civic Center. The Salvation Army Ensemble played music as attendees enjoyed dinner. The Gadsden City High School’s ROTC, led by Colonol Carl Harrison, posted the colors. The Gadsden Corps Timbrel Brigade entertained

Name: Kassie Mathis Where were you born and raised? “I was born and raised in Gadsden.” What is your occupation? “I am the director of the Title III Strengthening HBCUs Program on the Valley Street Campus of Gadsden State Community College. Title III is a federally-funded grant program that supports the academic progress of historically

Photo: (Submitted photo) Sara Summerhill and Madison Vaughn at the Etowah County Career Technical Center (ECCTC) in Attalla on May 9. The ECCTC welcomed over 20 companies and over 450 students at an Employment Fair on May 9. On May 9, Etowah County Career Technical Center (ECCTC) hosted an employment fair for its 2018 graduates. The

Name: Deb Reynolds Where were you born and raised? “Calhoun County, near Silver Lakes Golf Course. We later moved to North Gadsden but settled in Camp Sibert in Attalla when I was 13. My parents continued to live there until they passed to their eternal home in heaven.” What is your occupation? “I am an

By Sarrah Peters, News Editor Gadsden State Community College hosted Gadsden City Schools’ 16th annual TechBlitz on Friday, April 27. Kindergarteners through high school seniors demonstrated their technological skills through website design; audio/visual production; digital art, 3D design, productivity design and animation; multimedia presentations; and hardware, robotics and programming. After the judges viewed the entries, students

Name: Carl C. Byers, Jr. Where were you born and raised? “I was born in Pell City and raised in Gadsden.” What is your occupation?  “I am currently the campus director for the Valley Street HBCU Campus of Gadsden State Community College. I am also a math instructor and the Job Corps liaison for the

By Sarrah Peters, News Editor On Tuesday, April 24, John S. Jones Elementary students gathered in the school gymnasium for a special treat. The students and staff were told the treat was for performing well on testing. Earlier this year, The Alabama Department of Education released grades for public schools and school systems statewide, giving each

By Sarrah Peters, News Editor April 30 is is National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day, and the Humane Society Pet Rescue and Adoption Center is ready to celebrate. To encourage people to welcome a shelter pet into the family, every adoption from Saturday, April 28 to Tuesday, May 1 will be half-off. In addition, every adopted

By Sarrah Peters, News Editor On Saturday, May 12, local postal workers will join postal workers nationwide in the annual Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive. The drive will collect items for local food banks. To participate, all you have to do is leave non-perishible items at the mailbox. The Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive began in

Name: Valerie Shannon Where were you born and raised? “I was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee. My parents, my brother and I lived in the valley right under Rock City in a town called Flintstone, Georgia. My parents moved to Centre, Alabama, when I was four years old when my father purchased a saw mill in

By Sarrah Peters, News Editor The Council on Aging’s senior transportation program received a new van in 2016, but a fire in UAB Hospital Kirklin Clinic’s parking lot destroyed the vehicle and temporarily shut down the program. The senior transportation program shuttles seniors to out-of-county doctors appointments. The fire broke out during during one of the

By Sarrah Peters, News Editor Candidates for state office spoke to locals at The Chamber’s Political Forum on Tuesday, April 17. Each candidate was alloted five minutesto speak to the crowd. The forum provided several questions for each can-didate to answer. Two United States House of Representatives, District 4 candidates addressed the crowd  first. Democratic candidate

By Sarrah Peters, News Editor Tracy Walker is the owner of Tracy’s Oils, which aims to provide quality, additive-free essential oils in a wide va-riety of scents. Walker mixes many of her own scents, creating unique essential oil mixes. The skin-safe oils can also be used as perfume or cologne. Walker, with help from her daughter,

Name: Beth Cline Where were you born and raised? “I was born at the Holy Name of Jesus Hospital and have lived in Etowah County my entire life.” What is your occupation? “I have been a registered nurse in Etowah County since 2002. I have worked in both acute care, which is hospital -based, and

By Sarrah Peters, News Editor On Tuesday, April 10, United Way of Etowah County held its annual meeting. The meeting serves as a way for the nonprofit to share the  organization’s accomplishments of the past year, honor local businesses and individuals for their contributions and highlight local issues in the community. Last year’s United Way board

By Sarrah Peters, News Editor On April 21, the Kickin’ Addiction Recovery Walk will be held at Mort Glosser Amphitheater located at 90 Walnut Street in Gadsden. The walk will celebrate sobriety and offer resources for those seeking treatment for addiction and their families. The event is free to all to attend. Walk registration begins at

Name: Suzanne McNair Scharfenberg Where were you born and raised? “I was born in Jacksonville, Fla., and raised all over the Southeast: Georgia, Florida, South Carolina and North Carolina. My father worked for Coca-Cola in Atlanta and each promotion meant a transfer. So, we moved a lot! But with four siblings it was always fun.

By Sarrah Peters, News Editor On Tuesday, April 3 a small group gathered in Gadsden Public Library’s Beautiful Rainbow Cafe for “Just a Taste,” a cooking class taught by local artists and authors Fran and Al Andrepont once a month. The couple demonstrate how to cook recipes from their cookbook, “From Our Kitchen: Heart Healthy Recipes.”

By Sarrah Peters, News Editor On Monday, April 2, The Chamber of Gadsden/Etowah County held its first Excellence in Education Awards Luncheon at 210 on the Tracks. The event recognized teachers and programs in Etowah County that promote education in new and exciting ways. “I think you will all agree with me in saying that these

By Sarrah Peters, News Editor On Wednesday, April 4, seven Gadsden State Community College carpentry students poured concrete for the new changing station at Noccalula Falls Black Creek Trail system. Accompanied by teacher Heath McDaniel, the students donated the labor for the project. The Gadsden Homebuilders Association, which spearheaded the project, donated the materials for the

Name: Leslie Harper Worthington Where were you born and raised? “I was born in Riverhead, New York, on Long Island because my father was stationed there in the U.S. Air Force. He grew up in Ohio, and his family was from Kentucky. My mother was from Sylacauga. They met in Texas. I grew up in

By Sarrah Peters, News Editor Noccalula Falls will host its 9th Annual Smoke on the Falls barbeque competition on April 13 and 14. The barbecue competition is sanctioned by the Kansas Barbeque Society. Admission will be free on Friday, April 8. Gates will be open from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. A sausage cook-off, sponsored by Jimmy

By Sarrah Peters, News Editor On Monday, March 19, Southside Officer Bryan Bell was sitting in his patrol car with his partner Colton Harden underneath the Southside Baptist awning to avoid the falling hail when he saw the approaching tornado. “I said there it is,” said Bell. “I think Colton said it was the first tornado