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Dolly Parton, the legendary singer, songwriter and humanitarian whose career spanned seven decades, died Aug. 25, 2026, at the age of 80. Photo courtesy of Dolly Parton’s official social media page; headline graphic designed by The Weekly Ledger News. T.L. Sullivan | The Weekly Ledger News | Entertainment News | Tuesday, August 25, 2026 NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Dolly Parton, the legendary singer-songwriter whose unmistakable voice, larger-than-life personality and generous spirit m

T.L. Sullivan | The Weekly Ledger News | Election/ Area News | Tuesday, August 25, 2026 GADSDEN, Ala. — Voters across the City of Gadsden are casting ballots Tuesday, Aug. 25, in the city’s 2026 municipal election, with several contested City Council and Gadsden City Board of Education races appearing alongside the mayoral contest. Polls are open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. While the mayor’s race between incumbent Craig Ford and challenger Thomas Worthy is being decided citywide

Incumbent Gadsden Mayor Craig Ford, left, and challenger Thomas Worthy are facing off in the city’s Aug. 25 mayoral election. Candidate photos: Online sources | Graphic design: The Weekly Ledger News T.L. Sullivan | The Weekly Ledger News | Election/ Area News | Tuesday, August, 25, 2026 GADSDEN, Ala. — Voters in the City of Gadsden are heading to the polls Tuesday, Aug. 25, to decide who will lead the city for the next four years, choosing between incumbent Mayor Craig Ford

ICAC Task Force executes two search warrants; investigation originated from cyber tips provided by National Center for Missing & Exploited Children TWLN Staff Writer | The Weekly Ledger NewsSource: Alabama Law Enforcement Agency | Crime/Regional News | Monday, August 24, 2026 LIMESTONE COUNTY, Ala. — Two men were arrested on multiple charges following separate search warrants executed in Limestone County as part of an ongoing child exploitation investigation, according to the

Students from communities across Northeast Alabama and beyond earn academic honors for Summer Semester 2026 TWLN Staff Writer | The Weekly Ledger NewsSource: Gadsden State Community College | Community News | Monday, August 24, 2026 GADSDEN, Ala. — Gadsden State Community College has announced its academic honors for the Summer 2026 semester, recognizing students who earned placement on the college’s President’s List and Dean’s List. Gadsden State President Alan Smith release

Project expands partnership between college and city while creating new athletic resource for students and the community Representatives from Gadsden State Community College and the City of Gadsden participate in a ceremonial groundbreaking Aug. 20 for the new 10-court tennis center at Gadsden Sports Park. The facility will serve Gadsden State student-athletes and the surrounding community. Photo Source/Credit: Gadsden State Community College | Graphic by The Weekly Ledger Ne

Gunfire erupted following Friday night football game; four victims reported in stable condition A juvenile suspect is in custody following a drive-by shooting outside the Waffle House on Rainbow Drive in Gadsden that left four teenagers injured Friday night. Authorities said the victims sustained non-life-threatening injuries and the investigation remains active. Image Source/Credit: Dale Casey | Graphic by The Weekly Ledger News. TWLN Staff Writer | The Weekly Ledger News |

TWLN Staff Writer | The Weekly Ledger News | Local News | Monday, August 24, 2026 CENTRE, Ala. — Three people, including two juveniles, sustained minor injuries Monday morning following a two-vehicle crash along Cedar Bluff Highway in Centre that temporarily disrupted traffic in both directions. The crash reportedly occurred in the 3200 block of Cedar Bluff Highway on the Centre side of the causeway, near Midway Storage. A white Toyota sedan and a gray hatchback were involved

Wildlife sightings across Cherokee County have included rattlesnakes near Pratt Street and W. Main Street and along County Road 91 in Gaylesville, as well as a black bear roaming North River Street in Centre. Photos courtesy of WEIS Radio/Facebook and M. Kirk Keener/Facebook. Graphic designed by The Weekly Ledger News. T.L. Sullivan | The Weekly Ledger News | Local/Community News | Friday, August 21, 2026 CHEROKEE COUNTY, Ala. — Several recent wildlife encounters across Chero

Matthew Crane mugshot (courtesy Etowah County Sheriff's Office) TWLN Staff Writer | The Weekly Ledger News | Area News | Friday, August 21, 2026 ETOWAH COUNTY, Ala. — A Gadsden man is being held without bond after authorities say an investigation into allegations of years-long sexual abuse involving a child resulted in a first-degree rape charge. Matthew Crane, 41, was arrested Wednesday, Aug. 19, in Dothan on a charge of first-degree rape, according to the Etowah County Sher

T.L. Sullivan | The Weekly Ledger News | Area News | Friday, August 21, 2026 ROME, Ga. — A 7-year-old Rome child was airlifted to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite Friday morning after being struck by a large pickup truck on Chateau Drive. According to initial reports, the child was attempting to catch a school bus when he ran into the roadway and was struck by the truck. Authorities said the child suffered serious injuries, including head injuries, multiple b

T.L. Sullivan | The Weekly Ledger News | Local News | Friday, August 21, 2026 ROCK RUN, Ala. — A collision involving an 18-wheeler and a pickup truck shut down a portion of County Road 29 in the Rock Run community for more than three hours Thursday afternoon after diesel fuel spilled onto the roadway. The crash occurred at approximately 12:58 p.m. Thursday, August 20, on County Road 29 between Rock Run Baptist Church and County Road 45. According to reports from the scene, th

Jason Wilson, CEO and founder of Back Forty Beer Co., stands outside the brewery in Gadsden, Ala. (Source: Social Media) TWLN Staff Writer | The Weekly Ledger News | Area News | Thursday, August 20, 2026 GADSDEN, Ala. — The City of Gadsden is mourning the death of District 5 City Councilman and Back Forty Beer Company founder Jason Wilson, a businessman, entrepreneur and longtime public servant whose influence reached well beyond his hometown and helped shape Alabama’s moder

TWLN Staff Writer | The Weekly Ledger News | Area News | Thursday, August 20, 2026 Original Sources: Coosa Valley News and Floyd County arrest report. ROME, Ga. — A Summerville man is facing a misdemeanor public indecency charge following an alleged incident in the parking lot of a Rome movie theater earlier this month. Gary Lee Gilbert, 48, of Summerville, Ga., was arrested Aug. 12 by the Rome Police Department and charged with misdemeanor public indecency. (Photo Credit: F

Floyd County law enforcement vehicles are seen outside The Love Library on Shorter Avenue in Rome on Thursday, Aug. 20, following the seizure of merchandise connected to an ongoing civil dispute. (Photo courtesy of Coosa Valley News) TWLN Staff Writer | The Weekly Ledger News | Area News | Thursday, August 20, 2026 ROME, Ga. — The Love Library, an adult retail store located on Shorter Avenue in Rome, temporarily closed Thursday after authorities seized merchandise from the bu

Photo Courtesy of DeKalb County VFW Fair: The 71st Annual DeKalb County VFW Agricultural Fair will return Oct. 16–24, 2026, in Fort Payne. This year’s extended fair will feature additional midway rides, agricultural shows, nightly entertainment and special promotional days under the theme, “Happy 250th Birthday, America!” Twin City Used Cars is serving as the 2026 Fair Week Sponsor. T.L. Sullivan | The Weekly Ledger News | Area and Community News | Thursday, August 20, 2026 F

T.L. Sullivan | The Weekly Ledger News | Local/Community News | Wednesday, August 19, 2026 CENTRE, Ala. — Organizers are calling on local boat owners to help make a special day on Weiss Lake possible as preparations continue for the 2026 C.A.S.T. for Kids event, which will give children with special needs an opportunity to experience a morning of fishing, boating and celebration. The C.A.S.T. for Kids Foundation will host the event Tuesday, Sept. 22, at Jakes on the Lake, loc

Source: University of Tennessee Athletics / University of Alabama Athletics | Graphic by The Weekly Ledger News TWLN Staff Writer | The Weekly Ledger News | Sports News | Wednesday, August 19, 2026 KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — One of college football’s most recognizable rivalries is bringing back a colorful piece of its history. For the first time since 1970, Alabama Crimson Tide and Tennessee Volunteers will take the field against one another with both teams wearing their traditional

T.L. Sullivan | The Weekly Ledger News | Local News | Wednesday, August 19, 2026 CENTRE, Ala. — The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office announced Wednesday the addition of 20 new automated external defibrillators, or AEDs, that will be placed in patrol vehicles, giving deputies upgraded lifesaving equipment to use during cardiac emergencies. Sheriff Jeff Shaver made the announcement during a press conference Wednesday, August 19, explaining that the new devices will replace the

Extended Family | Supporting Children & Families Submitted by Extended Family | T.L. Sullivan | The Weekly Ledger News | Wednesday, August 19, 2026 MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Adults who work with children facing incarceration-related family disruption, trauma and other challenging circumstances are invited to participate in an upcoming Extended Family for Kids Program Leader Training in Montgomery. The one-day training will be held Wednesday, Sept. 23, and hosted by the Alabama Depar