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Etowah County Sheriff Jonathon Horton speaking to a group of young student leaders part of a hands-on civic learning experience designed to introduce students to local government operations. (Photo courtesy of Etowah County Chamber) T.L. Sullivan | The Weekly Ledger News | Area Community News ETOWAH COUNTY, Ala. — Sheriff Jonathon Horton recently welcomed a group of young student leaders to the Etowah County Sheriff’s Office as part of a hands-on civic learning experience de

T.L. Sullivan | The Weekly Ledger News | Area News ROME, Ga. — Community members and local officials form Rome gathered Wednesday, February 18, to celebrate the official groundbreaking of a new pump track at Ridge Ferry Park, marking the beginning of an exciting recreational addition for residents of all ages. Construction is now underway, and early progress is already visible as the track begins to take shape. Project organizers note that, pending favorable weather conditio

T.L. Sullivan | The Weekly Ledger News | Area Lake News MONTGOMERY, Ala. — The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s (ALEA) Marine Patrol Division is preparing for another season of its Boating Basics and Vessel Operator License Courses, offering free, in-person classes at locations across the state. According to ALEA, the courses are designed to provide citizens with essential boating safety education while allowing participants to interact directly with local ALEA Troopers. The

T.L. Sullivan | The Weekly Ledger News | Local Election News The Alabama Republican Party Steering Committee voted Sunday to remove Jesse Battles from the Republican primary ballot for Alabama Senate District 10 following a formal ballot challenge filed with the party. Ballot challenge proceedings are generally considered confidential under party rules, and limited details surrounding the decision have been publicly released. “Out of respect for the parties involved, the Alab

Bro. David Woodard | The Weekly Ledger News | Faith & Inspiration Column You prayed for purpose. That’s why it got hard. You didn’t do something wrong. You didn’t miss God. You didn’t fail the test. You answered the call. Don’t confuse spiritual warfare with disqualification. Resistance doesn’t mean you’re off track — It often means you’re right where you need to be. Your “no’s” didn’t reject you. They refined you. They trained you to hear God over approval. They taught you h

Kid Rock, Brantley Gilbert, Lee Brice and Gabby Barrett at the Turning Point USA All-American Halftime Show. Photos courtesy of Turning Point USA. TWLN Staff Writer | The Weekly Ledger News | Entertainment Desk While Bad Bunny delivered a headline Super Bowl LX halftime at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, conservative organization Turning Point USA offered an alternative broadcast that carved out its own cultural moment on Sunday evening, Feb. 8. Turning Point USA’s

TWLN Staff Reporter | The Weekly Ledger News | Weather Update NORTHEAST ALABAMA — Several large areas of light rain are moving across North and East Alabama early this morning, bringing a damp start to the day for much of the region. Meanwhile, the southwestern portion of the state remains dry. Forecasters say most of the steady rainfall will gradually move out by this afternoon, with only a few spotty showers lingering across the southern counties. Despite the wet morning,

RIO RICO, Ariz. — A person detained for questioning in connection with the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie was later released from custody, according to multiple media reports. Authorities said the individual was detained Tuesday during a traffic stop south of Tucson. The detention came hours after the FBI released surveillance video showing a masked individual wearing what appeared to be a handgun holster outside Guthrie’s front door on the night she vanished. Law enforceme

TWLN Staff Reporter | The Weekly Ledger News | Area News JACKSONVILLE, Ala. — Two individuals have been arrested and charged in connection with the death of a Jacksonville man who had been reported missing for several weeks, according to authorities. Records from the Talladega County Jail show that Jesse Austin Heald, 34, was booked Friday on charges of capital murder and robbery. Jail records also indicate that Tiffani Renee Nichol, 35, was charged with murder and robbery.

T.L. Sullivan | The Weekly Ledger News | Community News CENTRE, Ala. - The Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce is inviting the community to attend the upcoming Little Black Dress Scholarship Event, a special evening dedicated to supporting local education. The event will be held on March 5, 2026, at Dry Creek Chapel, and will serve as a fundraiser benefiting a scholarship for a Cherokee County student attending Gadsden State Community College. Guests will enjoy an elegant eve

TWLN Staff Reporter | The Weekly Ledger News | State News MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Gov. Kay Ivey voiced support for a package of utility-related legislation as the House Committee on Transportation, Utilities and Infrastructure advanced measures aimed at addressing energy costs and regulatory oversight. During Tuesday’s committee meeting, lawmakers considered House Bill 403, House Bill 399, and House Bill 392, collectively referred to by supporters as part of an Affordability Prot

TWLN Staff Reporter | The Weekly Ledger News | Area News GADSDEN, Ala. — Authorities are investigating after a man’s body was discovered in the Coosa River Saturday morning. Photo: A man’s body was recovered from the Coosa River Saturday morning, February 7. According to Chief Josh Morgan of the Etowah County Sheriff’s Office, Gadsden Police and Fire personnel responded on Saturday, Feb. 7, following reports of a possible person in the river. Officials say the body was locat

Bro. David Woodard | The Weekly Ledger News | Faith & Inspiration Column The Cost and Purpose of Oil Matthew 25:1–13 (Parable of the Ten Virgins) The wise kept oil in their lamps; the foolish did not. When the Bridegroom came, it was too late to borrow. ➡️ Oil represents preparation, spiritual readiness, and personal responsibility. In Scripture, oil represents anointing, preparation, and the presence of God. It is valuable. It is costly. And once it is poured out, it cannot

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