Gadsden Insider

August First Friday

2011-08-05T19:30:00.001-05:00

As you approach broad street, you can smell the sweet aroma of BBQ & ribs. The sound of local cover bands bounce off the buildings and classic cars litter the street.

Celebrities are signing books in the Alabama Gift Company, and some mighty fine dancing is happening down the street.

However one of the best parts of this first Friday was the menu posted at Gadsden's newest italian restaurant

Location:N Albert Rains Blvd,Gadsden,United States

Southside cityfest in full swing

2011-07-16T18:58:00.001-05:00

By late afternoon several thousand have crowded southside high school.

The vendor area is similar to that of Gadsden's Riverfest with ribbon fries, funnel cakes and much more.

Perhaps, Riverfest should take a hint and hire one big act a night with local bands during the day.

Then again I just bit into my burger and this long string of hair held my bite to the sandwich.

Severe Weather Approaching Gadsden

2011-02-28T14:09:00.000-06:00

The radar image to the left was taken at 2:08 PM CST February 28, 2011.

The National Weather Service has issued a Tornado Watch covering the Etowah county area until 7:00 PM.

Dekalb county is currently under a Tornado Warning and a line of storms near Cullman county are intensifying and heading towards Etowah County.

Snow hits north Alabama

2011-02-10T09:15:00.002-06:00

Arkansas received up 1' in some places, Mississippi had around 7" in places and northwest and southwest Alabama had around 3 - 5".

Local schools are delayed by 3 hours. JSU is open with no delays. Enjoy the snow while most of it will be gone tomorrow.

Treasure Ship fire 'accidental'

2010-04-30T11:22:00.001-05:00

PANAMA CITY BEACH — Even if it’s possible, owners of the Treasure Ship restaurant don’t know whether they will try to repair the marina-front landmark.

A day after a fire ravaged the building, Lisa Nomberg Todd said it was too early to consider what might become of the dream her parents built more than 30 years ago.

“Whatever happens here isn’t going to happen by the summer,” Todd said Thursday. “We won’t make that decision any time soon.”

The sentimental value the replica pirate ship held is irreplaceable, she added.

“Every employee who has ever worked for the Treasure Ship has a special place in their hearts for it,” she said. “It has a personality.

“You can’t recreate this. Can you create something new and different? Yes. But you can’t recreate this.”

70 Year Old lady found dead in Hokes Bluff

2010-04-27T21:15:00.001-05:00

Etowah County Sheriff’s Office investigators are looking into a suspicious death this evening, according to Sheriff Todd Entrekin.

A 70 year-old white female was found laying in her front yard, on Sibert Mill Road near Hokes Bluff, at approximately 6:00 p.m. today. Her body is badly decomposed. The body was found by the woman’s family.
Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences is responding to assist in processing the scene.
The body will be sent to Huntsville for an autopsy.

Nick Saban in town for Tide Caravan

2010-04-27T17:37:00.003-05:00

Long lines wait outside centerstage in Rainbow City. Tide caravan is dinner and some Alabama officials along with Nick Saban speaking. This is the third stop on the tour, the first was in Dallas. Saban arrived at 5:30 with a police escort by Rainbow City.

With over 700 in attendance, tickets were $35.00 and included the keynote speaker Saban answering several questions about the upcoming season.

431 Construction Continues

2010-04-27T13:56:00.001-05:00

After just a few days of an estimated 60, traffic delays have begun. Mccartney Construction won the bid to resurface a section of Highway 431 (East Meighan Boulevard). The area under construction runs from the Glencoe city limits to U.S. Highway 278.

EMA Assists in Albertville Recovery Effort

2010-04-27T13:17:00.000-05:00

The Gadsden/Etowah County Emergency Management Agency is assisting in recovery efforts that are underway in Albertville. At the request of the Marshall County EMA, staff members from the Gadsden/Etowah County EMA were sent to assist on Monday April 26th at the Marshall County Emergency Operations Center. In addition, the Gadsden/Etowah County EMA is sending two of its electronic message boards to a staging area that has been set up in downtown Albertville.

This was done at the request of the Alabama Emergency Management Agency. Albertville was struck by an EF-3 tornado Saturday night. The tornado travelled 18.5 miles, and was ¾ of a mile wide at its widest point. Gadsden/Etowah County EMA director Mike Bryant said, “We are always glad to help our neighbors. We hope that our cooperation will help the citizens of Albertville recover from this disaster.”

Oil is the new Seaweed for the Gulf Coast

2010-04-26T20:00:00.002-05:00

My family has visited the Gulf Coast at least once a year for as long as I can remember. As with any family, traditions are developed over the years. We have several, one game we play is to see who can spot the first Palm Tree. Another is to guess how bad the seaweed will be. Perhaps this year's new game should be "Can we enter the water?"

Not long ago a petroleum rig exploded and sank off the coast of Louisiana.

Oil from the spill is moving towards Baldwin & Mobile counties.

Winds and ocean currents will determine where the leak spreads to. The gulf coast could be affected this week if the estimated 42,000 gallons of oil thats leaking daily is not contained.

Gulf Coast officials are currently trying to figure out the best way to contain the oil.

Fight Breaks Out at Walnut Grove's Old Tyme Saloon

2010-04-26T16:19:00.001-05:00

Three individuals have been arrested and charged with assault related offenses, according to Sheriff Todd Entrekin.

Two men in their early twenties and a third in his early thirties,were arrested and each charged with one count of second degree assault, which is a felony.

The incident occurred at Old Tyme Saloon, in Walnut Grove, on April 23rd.
The three individuals were at the bar when a fight ensued inside the facility. When they began to leave, the individuals became involved in another fight outside the saloon, assaulting and injuring another person.

The victim was transported to a local hospital for treatment.

The men are currently being detained in the Etowah County Detention Center on $25,000 bond each.

JSU's Perrilloux heads to NFL

2010-04-26T14:30:00.000-05:00

Quarterback Ryan Perrilloux, who starred two years for the Gamecocks after coming in from LSU, signed a deal with the Minnesota Vikings.

Perrilloux finished his two-year stint at JSU as the program's career leader in passing yards per game (222.3) and total offense per game (260.9) and had a career passing efficiency of 154.9.

The LaPlace, La., native finished the season with 2,350 yards, which was the third best in school history, and his 42 career passing touchdowns is third, while his 61.0 completion percentage is also third in school history.

Sheriff's assist with storm damage

2010-04-26T00:00:00.003-05:00

Deputies from the Etowah County Sheriff’s Office, along with Sheriff Todd Entrekin, responded to DeKalb and Marshall Counties early this morning after a request for mutual aid.

Mutual aid was requested by the DeKalb and Marshall County Sheriffs’ Offices, at approximately 12:19 a.m. Sunday, when reports of significant storm damage were received.

Five deputies responded to Albertville and 10 responded to Geraldine.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with those who are suffering right now because of storm damage,” states Sheriff Entrekin. “We were glad to assist them during their time of need.”

Deputies provided security for the areas by setting up road blocks to keep individuals away from the damaged properties.
The Sheriff’s Office aviation unit also provided assistance this morning in helping to survey the damaged areas.

Albertville Hit By Tornado

2010-04-24T23:01:00.000-05:00

Initial reports state that there has been significant damage in the community of Albertville and Geraldine in Northeast Alabama. Cars were flipped, and several buildings badly damaged if not completely destroyed.

JSU Raises Tuition 8.6%

2010-04-24T19:57:00.000-05:00

Jacksonville State University Board of Trustees voted to raise tuition by 8.6 percent.

Undergraduate tuition will now be $226 per credit hour for in state students and $452 per credit hour for out of state students. Graduate tuition will now be $298 per credit hour for in state students and $596 per credit hour for out of state students. Undergraduate distance learning classes will be charged at the rate of $280 per credit hour and $353 per credit hour.

The tuition changes will take place starting in the 2010 Fall semester.

Tornado Watch Until 9 PM

2010-04-24T13:34:00.003-05:00

G/ECEMA: The NWS in Bham has issued Tornado Watch in effect for Etowah County until 9pm today.

Severe Weather Alert

2010-04-24T00:24:00.004-05:00

Storms are currently increasing over north and north central Alabama.

The strongest storms are located near Tuscaloosa. The storms have intensified over the past hour. We will likely be placed under a tornado watch sometime overnight, so be sure to have your weather radios on.

Thunderstorms will be likely Saturday morning, as the warm front lifts northward. Some of these storms will become severe with damaging winds and tornadoes.

Then the stage will be set for some firework as moderate to high instability combined with significant wind shear will conspire to produce severe weather and even potentially long tracked supercells tornadoes.