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TWLN Staff Reporter | The Weekly Ledger News | Local News COLLINSVILLE, Ala. — A Collinsville man was taken into custody Monday night after authorities responded to reports of gunfire in the Tuckers Chapel community, according to the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies were called to the area of County Road 361 near Welcome Hill Cemetery after receiving a report that a firearm had been discharged. Investigators identified the suspect as Dustin Highfield, 45, of Collin

Starting Friday, people in Florida will only be able to take a driver's license exam in English. (Source: WFOX via CNN Newsource) TWLN Staff Reporter | The Weekly Ledger News | National News - WFOX via CNN Newsource JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Beginning Friday, Florida will require all driver’s license examinations to be administered exclusively in English, ending the use of translated tests and interpreter services statewide. The change, announced by the Florida Highway Safety and

T.L. Sullivan | The Weekly Ledger News | Breaking News COLLINSVILLE, Ala. — Collinsville Police Chief Stephen Malone has resigned from his position following his arrest in Nashville over the weekend, The Weekly Ledger News has learned. Malone, who was appointed police chief in September of 2025. Details surrounding the arrest were previously reported, and the case remains under review by Tennessee authorities. No court dates or additional case information have been released a

Authorities allege a domestic-related assault occurred during an early morning incident in Tennessee T.L. Sullivan | The Weekly Ledger News | Area News NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The police chief of Collinsville was arrested early Sunday morning in Nashville and charged with aggravated assault involving strangulation, according to authorities in Davidson County, Tennessee. Police records indicate that Stephen Malone, Police Chief of the Collinsville Police Department, was taken into

T.L. Sullivan | The Weekly Ledger News | Area News RAINBOW CITY, Ala. — A woman was injured and a man was found dead following an early morning shooting Tuesday at an apartment complex in Rainbow City, according to authorities. Officers with the Rainbow City Police Department were dispatched to Rainbow Apartments on Doris Street around 5:30 a.m. after reports of gunfire. Upon arrival, officers found a woman suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. She was treated at the scene

T.L. Sullivan | The Weekly Ledger News | Community News NORTHEAST ALABAMA — Every year as February rolls around, the same lighthearted debate sparks conversations across coffee shops, front porches, and social media feeds throughout Northeast Alabama: Who do you trust more to predict the seasons — a groundhog from Pennsylvania or a possum from Sand Mountain, Alabama? Across the country, attention turns to Punxsutawney Phil, often jokingly referred to by locals as “Pixton Phi

TWLN Staff Report | The Weekly Ledger News | State News MONTGOMERY, Ala. — A bill aimed at limiting children’s exposure to marijuana smoke sparked rare intra-party debate Thursday as the Alabama House of Representatives approved legislation that would ban smoking or vaping marijuana in vehicles carrying minors and require mandatory reporting in certain cases. House Bill 72, sponsored by Patrick Sellers, D-Pleasant Grove, would prohibit anyone from smoking or vaping marijuana

TWLN Staff Report | The Weekly Ledger News | Area News FORT PAYNE, Ala. — Additional information was presented Thursday during a preliminary hearing in the double homicide case involving the deaths of two Fort Payne residents. Jacob Mitchum, 27, of Oxford, appeared before DeKalb County District Judge Jeff McCurdy at the DeKalb County Courthouse, where prosecutors outlined evidence supporting two counts of capital murder. Jacob Mitchum, 27, of Oxford.(Photo from Fort Payne Po

A 58-year-old man faces charges after a months-long investigation in Fort Payne unveiled a forgery operation with false IDs, firearms, and cash. TWLN Staff Report | The Weekly Ledger News | Area News FORT PAYNE, Ala. — A suspected forgery and identity theft operation has been dismantled following an investigation conducted by the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office Drugs and Major Crimes Unit, authorities announced. Investigators said the case stemmed from reports of an alleged

TWLN Staff Report | The Weekly Ledger News | Area News RAINBOW CITY, Ala. — Authorities have announced arrests in connection with a shots-fired incident that occurred Sunday night on Friendship Road in Rainbow City. According to the Rainbow City Police Department, officers were dispatched around 8 p.m. on January 26 after receiving reports of gunfire coming from the roadway. Upon arrival, officers began an investigation with assistance from the department’s detective divisio

Credit: Bits and Splits - stock.adobe.com Alabama may soon adopt its own minimum wage, potentially increasing pay to $10 per hour by January 2027, a significant shift from the current federal standard of $7.25 TWLN Staff Reporter | The Weekly Ledger News | Area News MONTGOMERY, Ala. — The long-standing debate over workers’ pay is resurfacing at the Alabama Statehouse as lawmakers consider legislation that would establish a state-mandated minimum wage for the first time in Ala

T.L. Sullivan | The Weekly Ledger News | Community News CHEROKEE COUNTY & SURROUNDING AREAS — Love is in the air, and so is the aroma of great local food! The Weekly Ledger News is excited to announce our upcoming “14 Days of Valentine’s Dining” restaurant spotlight series, beginning January 31 and running through February 13. For 14 consecutive days, we will feature one local or area restaurant each day, highlighting the incredible dining options our communities have to off

T.L. Sullivan | The Weekly Ledger News | Weather Update NORTHEAST ALABAMA — After a brief midweek moderation, another surge of bitterly cold arctic air is expected to move into Alabama just in time for the weekend, bringing some of the coldest temperatures of the season back to Northeast Alabama. According to the National Weather Service, temperatures today will be slightly higher than earlier this week but will remain chilly across the region. Northeast Alabama can expect p

The former Badcock Furniture building will soon be home to Ross Dress for Less. T.L. Sullivan | The Weekly Ledger News | Area News - Business & Development FORT PAYNE, Ala. — A long-vacant commercial space in Fort Payne is set to see new life, as city officials have announced that a Ross Dress for Less store will be opening at the former Badcock Furniture location along Glenn Boulevard. The announcement was made during the Fort Payne City Council meeting on January 20, where

TWLN Staff Reporter | The Weekly Ledger News | Area News GADSDEN, Ala . — An early-morning house fire in East Gadsden claimed the life of an elderly man Saturday, January 24, authorities confirmed. Gadsden Emergency Services responded to a 911 call reporting a structure fire at approximately 7:47 a.m. at a residence located at 1006 Wainwright Avenue, in the Green Pastures community. Firefighters from Gadsden Fire Station #3, which is situated directly across from the residenc

A teenage girl was arrested for battery after she allegedly struck her mother with a pork chop during an argument. (Martin Country Sheriff's Office, Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) TWLN Staff Reporter | The Weekly Ledger News JENSEN BEACH, Fla. (WKRC) — A Florida teenager was arrested on a domestic battery charge following a heated family dispute that allegedly escalated into an unusual physical altercation involving a pork chop, according to authorities. The incident

T.L. Sullivan | The Weekly Ledger News | Area News NORTHEAST, Ala./NORTHWEST, Ga. - Several local and surrounding-area school systems have announced closures and delayed times for Monday, January 26, 2026, and Tuesday, January 27, 2026, as winter weather continues to impact travel conditions across the region. Below is a list of school system updates as of publication time: Albertville City Schools - Closed Monday Anniston City Schools — Delayed 3 hours Arab City Schools - C

T.L. Sullivan | The Weekly Ledger News | Area News Published: Jan. 24, 2026 | 8:00 a.m. CST LEESBURG, Ala. — School districts across Alabama are closely monitoring developing winter weather conditions this weekend as administrators prepare for the possibility of school closures or delayed starts on Monday due to frigid temperatures and the threat of icy roadways. With forecasts calling for very cold conditions and potential freezing precipitation, districts throughout the re

The decision follows President Donald Trump's announcement a year ago. (ASSOCIATED PRESS, CNN, WHO) TWLN Staff Writer | The Weekly Ledger News | National News NEW YORK, N.Y. — The United States has officially completed its withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO), ending a 78-year partnership following a decision announced one year ago by President Donald Trump, federal officials confirmed Thursday. Despite the formal withdrawal, the separation is not without comp

T.L. Sullivan | The Weekly Ledger News | State News MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Governor Kay Ivey issued a state of emergency on Thursday as North Alabama prepares for an expected round of wintry and icy weather that could create hazardous travel conditions across the region. The emergency proclamation applies to 19 northern Alabama counties, including Blount, Cherokee, Colbert, Cullman, DeKalb, Etowah, Fayette, Franklin, Jackson, Lamar, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Limestone, Madison, Mari