Tucked away in the heart of Southside, Alabama, Smokeneck Farm & Garden is more than just a store—it’s a full-blown local experience. We recently stopped by to visit George Illif, the charismatic owner behind this unique community-centered general store, and we were met with warmth, laughter, and shelves packed with local flavor. From the moment you walk in, you're welcomed like family. Smokeneck carries everything from farm and garden supplies to one of the largest selections of Amish goods in Etowah
GADSDEN, AL-Screams echoed through the grounds surrounding Helderman Hall and Bevill Hall on Gadsden State Community College’s Wallace Drive Campus on May 2, but they weren’t real. The chaos was part of a large-scale, pre-planned mass casualty simulation designed to give nursing and paramedic students vital hands-on experience before they enter the workforce. More than 100 students from Nursing, Emergency Medical Services, Radiography and Medical Laboratory Technician programs participated in the
GADSDEN, AL - Gadsden State Community College proudly announces the appointment of Alan Smith as interim president, effective June 1. Smith is a proven leader in higher education and workforce development.“This is an incredible honor that I embrace with great enthusiasm,” Smith said. “My connection to this college spans more than three decades, beginning with my time as a business student at Gadsden State.”Since joining Gadsden State’s leadership in 2019 as Dean of Workforce Development, Smith has played a
GADSDEN, AL-Gadsden State Community College’s Science Department hosted its first Donor Appreciation Event May 1 in the auditorium of the Science Building on the East Broad Campus. The event was held to honor individuals who have chosen to donate their bodies to science, and it recognized both the donors and their families for their contribution to education, research and future healthcare advancement. The event paid special tribute to the four body donors who have been part of Gadsden State’s Human
GADSDEN, AL - Dr. Kathy Murphy, president of Gadsden State Community College, has announced that she has accepted the position of president at Wallace Community College in Dothan, Alabama. Murphy will begin her new role at Wallace Dothan on June 1. “It has been my honor to serve as President at Gadsden State since January 2021, and I will miss our wonderful college, our exceptional faculty and staff, and, of course, our amazing students,” said Dr. Murphy. “During the past four years, we have experienced
GADSDEN, AL - Gadsden State Community College’s Spring Commencement Ceremony was held on May 13 at the Richard Lindsey Arena at Gadsden State Cherokee. The event recognized students who completed program requirements following the Spring semester. Featured commencement speakers were Gadsden State students Daniel Brown, Ashley Hawk and Kristina O’Neal. Mr. Daniel Brown Brown received an Associate of Applied Science in Nursing and an Associate of Science in General Studies. Mr. Brown has served as a tutor
Victory Cheer & Tumble Athletes Shine at Prestigious All Star Worlds Competition Glencoe, AL – Victory Cheer & Tumble, a premier local athletics gym and program located in Glencoe, has made waves on the national stage with an outstanding performance at the 2025 All Star Worlds competition in Orlando, FL. The event, which featured over 1,550 elite teams from across the globe, saw Victory Cheer & Tumble’s athletes deliver three Top 10 finishes and multiple standout performances. Competing in only their
GADSDEN, AL – The Etowah Chamber recognized outstanding achievements in education during its annual Excellence in Education & Teachers of the Year Awards Ceremony, presented by Gadsden State Community College. The event took place at The Venue at Coosa Landing, where over 300 educators, administrators, and community members gathered to honor excellence across Northeast Alabama's schools. Each winning Teacher of the Year received an award featuring original student artwork by Savanna "Virgil" Stinson
GADSDEN,AL- The Gadsden State Community College Health Sciences Division recognized students earning their associate degree in Registered Nursing during a pinning ceremony held May 8 at the Beck Gymnasium on the Wallace Drive Campus. The 43 students will receive the Associate in Applied Science in Registered Nursing during commencement exercises May 13 at Gadsden State Cherokee. “The pinning ceremony for RN graduates is such a special time not only for students and their families but also for the Nursing
GADSDEN, AL-With her husband and children in the audience, Candida Pedro Aguirre proudly walked across the stage on May 1 to receive more than just her high school diploma — she received a second chance at a dream once deferred. Aguirre was honored at the Gadsden State Community College Adult Education Services graduation ceremony held in the Beck Gymnasium on the Wallace Drive Campus. Alongside 19 fellow students who earned their high school diplomas through the Non-traditional High School Diploma
Gadsden State Community College hosted its 2025 Adult Education Graduation for 35 students who earned their general equivalency or high school diploma. The ceremony was held May 1 at Beck Gymnasium on the Wallace Drive Campus. “Congratulations, graduates,” said Hollie Patterson, director of Adult Education Services. “You have made the first step in your journey. We want to watch you fly. Enjoy, celebrate and plan your next steps.” During the ceremony, Candida Pedro Aguirre was awarded a scholarship
GADSDEN, AL - The seventh cohort for Gadsden State Community College's FAME Chapter signed with their respective companies during a signing ceremony May 1 at the Oxford Civic Center. FAME, or the Federation of Advanced Manufacturing Education, is an apprenticeship-style program that allows students to attend class two days a week and work three days a week in a local advanced manufacturing facility. “The FAME program exemplifies what workforce development should look like – collaborative, hands-on and
Two members of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society at Gadsden State Community College have earned accolades for outstanding academic achievement as well as college and community service. Collins Davis and Chase Lopas were selected for the Phi Theta Kappa All-Alabama Academic Team. All-Alabama Academic Team members are nominated by faculty and reviewed by a selection committee. To be eligible, students must have a 3.25 minimum GPA, complete at least 12 hours at the nominating college and be involved in campus
Gadsden State Community College students are making strides toward their academic future by earning scholarships to transfer to four-year universities across Alabama. These scholarships recognize students’ academic excellence and leadership potential. In total, over $650,000 in two-year scholarships were awarded by five Alabama universities. Jacksonville State University awarded many two-year scholarships ranging in value from $3,000 to $21,180 over a two-year period for a total of $293,500. Awardees by
Gadsden State Community College’s baseball team is heading to the Alabama Community College Conference Division I Regional Tournament as the No. 2 seed. They will open tournament play at 1 p.m. Friday, May 9 at Choccolocco Park in Oxford and will face the winner of the Coastal Alabama-South vs. Chattahoochee Valley game. The Cardinals are currently 38-13 and tied with Shelton State Community College for the best overall conference record in the regular season. This marks a dramatic turnaround from 2024
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HOKES BLUFF, Ala. — Etowah County's top municipal leaders gathered Thursday for the 2025 Etowah Update: Mayors Summit, painting a vibrant picture of the region's progress and future potential during a wide-ranging discussion at the Hokes Bluff Community Center. Sponsored by Goodwyn, Mills and Cawood, Inc., the event brought together mayors from across the county who highlighted major developments including the transformative Etowah County Megasite project, the implications of the new Challenger Learning
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Bama Bucks Crowned 2025 March Chamber Madness Champion After Electrifying Tournament Etowah County, AL – The votes are in, and the people have spoken! Bama Bucks Wildgame Restaurant has claimed victory in the 2025 March Chamber Madness tournament, triumphing after seven intense rounds and 48 days of action-packed voting. The exotic steakhouse and wildlife attraction will be officially crowned champion at the Etowah Chamber’s Summer Block Party on June 10th, where they will receive their championship
Gadsden State to Host “An Evening of Fine Arts” on May 1 Gadsden, AL — Gadsden State Community College’s Division of Fine Arts will host “An Evening of Fine Arts” on Wednesday, May 1, beginning at 5:30 p.m. on the Wallace Drive Campus. The free, family-friendly event will feature performances, exhibits and entertainment throughout the evening. Festivities will take place in the Meadows Building, the newly renovated Black Box Theatre and on the campus Quad. The evening begins with the Annual Student
D&D BEVERAGES NOW OPEN IN GADSDEN [Gadsden, AL] – The Etowah Chamber joined D&D Beverages and community members to celebrate its grand opening with an official ribbon-cutting ceremony on April 25th, 2025. The event featured remarks from the store manager, Carmen Cortes who shared, "We are so excited to open D&D Beverages and are so thankful to all those who came to celebrate with us." David Franklin, Operations Manager of the Etowah Chamber added, "We are grateful for the addition of another great
Gadsden State Community College’s Cardinal Foundation hosted their annual scholarship dinner April 22 to honor scholarship donors and recipients. “The Cardinal Foundation, and its board of directors, work tirelessly to fund our scholarships throughout the year. The dinner is a celebration of our donors’ commitment to supporting the students of Calhoun, Cherokee and Etowah counties,” said Hillary Folsom, director of advancement and alumni relations for Gadsden State Community College. “It’s also a time
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