News

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

By Sarrah Peters News Editor When he was four years old, John Solomon Sandridge often watched his father use a No. 2 pencil to make notes on paper. When Sandridge got ahold of the pencil, he wanted to use it as well, but he couldn’t find any paper. Instead he used the first blank page

By Sarrah Peters/News Editor The Chamber of Gadsden/Etowah County held its 2019 Annual Meeting and Awards Luncheon on Friday, January 25 at 210 at the Tracks. Heather Brothers New welcomed attendees and acknowledged sponsors, staff and volunteers referred to as Chamber ambassadors. Phillip Fikes was awarded the 2018 Ambassador of the Year award. New said

By Kaitlin Fleming/Staff Correspondent Students at John S. Jones Elementary School now have a room full of toys, but it’s educational and necessary. This room, known as a sensory room, is beneficial to students with autism, ADHD and much more. The room features textured toys, bubble machine, dimmed lights, calming music, swings, comfortable chairs, weighted

By Sarrah Peters/News Editor On Monday, January 21 the 33rd annual city-wide Celebration of the Life and Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was held at The Venue at Coosa Landing. Keara Washington opened the event with readings from the works of poet Langston Hughes, followed by an audience sing-a-long of “Lift Every Voice

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. Voting turnout was low, with less than 2,000 votes cast. 1.244 votes were cast in favor of changing the board, while 562 voted against the changes. At a Wednesday city council meeting,

By Sarrah Peters/News Editor At the Gadsden Public Library’s Children’s Department, librarian Jillian Reeves has been offering STEM programs and traveling to local schools to do STEM outreach for years. A member of the Civil Air Patrol, Reeves describes STEM as something she is passionate about. A few years ago, she had the idea to

Name: James Parker Where were you born and raised? “I was born and raised in Attalla.” What is your occupation? “I currently work for our Digital Department at Regions Bank and I currently serve as the male representative on the State Democratic Executive Committee for District 28.” What made you decide to work in your

By Sarrah Peters/News Editor On Monday, January 14, the Lookout Mountain Goat Ranch Originals hosted yoga classes with a fun twist. Participants had goats balance on them while doing yoga poses. Owner and artist Kelly Farley says that she is “all about goats.” When she heard about goat yoga, she knew she wanted to make

By Sarrah Peters/News Editor Heart attacks are the number one cause of death and strokes are the number five cause of death in the United States. On Tuesday, January 15, the Gadsden Heart Walk held a breakfast at The Venue to kick off its 2019 fundraiser. “This is an exciting time to be in Gadsden,”

By Kaitlin Fleming/Staff Correspondent On Monday, Jan. 13, Jonathon Horton was sworn in as Etowah County’s new sheriff. The ceremony took place outside of the sheriff’s department. Despite the frigid temperatures, over a hundred individuals gathered around the parking lot and sidewalks to watch Sheriff Horton take the oath of office. During the ceremony, Kate

Name: Chad Kilgore Where were you born and raised? “I was born and raised here in Etowah County.” What is your occupation? “Attorney.” What made you decide to work in your field? “I knew I wanted to be an attorney since I was very young. My mother, Tena Noah Kilgore, worked in the legal field

By Sarrah Peters/News Editor On Christmas Day, Calvin Rollins received a present he never thought he would get. At age 92, Rollins received his high school diploma from Randolph County High School. His daughter Ann Rollins Bryant had arranged the diploma. Bryant had hoped to have Randolph County Superintendent John Jacobs travel to Gadsden to

By Sarrah Peters/News Editor Ed Whatley passed away Sunday, January 6 at age 75, but his legacy as an advocate of local hiking trails remains. In August 2014, Noccalula Falls Park held a ribbon cutting for an expansion of the Black Creek Trail system. Whatley was an advocate for the trail system and worked tirelessly

Name: Tiffany Ballou-Glover Where were you born and raised? “I was born and raised in Gadsden.” What is your occupation? “I am a 6th grade language and reading teacher at Litchfield Middle School. I have taught for 25 years.” What made you decide to work in your field? “I have always wanted to be a

By Sarrah Peters/News Editor The Alabama Department of Education recently released its Alabama State Report Card for 2017 – 2018. The State Report Card assigns letter grades for each school system and each individual school. The report analyzes federal and state data in several areas, including but not limited to academic achievement, academic growth, graduation

By Sarrah Peters/News Editor On Thursday, January 3, Riverview Regional Medical Center kicked off its implementation of the American Heart Association’s new Resuscitation Quality Improvement program. In the past, medical professionals were required to renew their CPR certification every two years, but recent surveys show that two years is too long to go without using

Name: Sam Bone Where were you born and raised? “I was born in Pensacola, Florida, but was raised in Gadsden since I moved to Gadsden in third grade.” What is your occupation? “Attorney.” What made you decide to work in your field? “Grew up wanting to be like my dad.” Tell us about your family

By Sarrah Peters News Editor New Year’s Eve is nearly here, and many stay up late to celebrate the beginning of a new year. However, those with young children may be conflicted about whether or not the kids should remain awake to experience the late-night celebration or if they will doze off before midnight hits.

By Sarrah Peters News Editor On December 11, the Gadsden Public Library received a check for $1,000 from the Rainbow City Coin Club. “It was a wonderful surprise and also at the perfect time of year,” said Gadsden Public Library Director Craig Scott. “We certainly live in a giving community, and the Rainbow City Coin

Name: Doris Jackson Where were you born and raised? “I was born in Gadsden and have lived in Attalla all my life. I would not want to live anywhere else. I think our county is one of the most beautiful places. I love the small town closeness and the friendly atmosphere among the communities. It

By Sarrah Peters/News Editor In the Catholic Center of Concern on Chestnut Street in Gadsden, a back room has been converted into what looks like a toy store. Industrial shelves are lined with toys for children of all ages. But this is no toy store; this is the local Toys for Tots program’s base of

By Sarrah Peters/News Editor The Pregnancy Testing Center, located at 119 Church Street in Rainbow City, is currently in search of more volunteers. The Pregnancy Testing Center helps expecting mothers. In addition to providing pregnancy tests, the organization provides counseling and support to mothers-to-be with a pro-life message. A ministry-based organization, the center receives no

Name: Jackie McNutt Where were you born and raised? “I was born and raised in Gadsden.” What is your occupation?  “I am the owner of J&M Body Shop.” What made you decide to work in your field? “I have always liked to work on cars.” Tell us about your family and pets. “I am married to

By Sarrah Peters, News Editor On Monday, Dec. 10, a retirement ceremony was held for Probate Judge Bobby Junkins at the Etowah County Courthouse. Attendees visited with Junkins, while enjoying photos from Junkins’ life and finger foods. Junkins’ last day will be January 14, when his newly elected replacement Scott Hassell will officially take office. Junkins’

By Kaitlin Fleming, Staff Correspondent Gadsden State Community College hosted the 18th annual Water Festival on Friday, Dec. 7. An estimated 1,400 fourth graders from across Etowah County attended the educational event ran by volunteers from local high schools. The high school students lead the fourth graders around the George Wallace Campus of Gadsden State and

Name: Dustin Watkins Where were you born and raised? “I was born and raised in Etowah County.” What is your occupation? “I work at two different transport companies in Emergency Medical Services as a Paramedic and part-time as an educator in the EMS program at Northeast Alabama Community College. I also give time as a Flight