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Spencer Newton Harwell(DPD) T.L. Sullivan | The Weekly Ledger News | North Alabama News MORGAN COUNTY, Ala. — A Morgan County man convicted in the 2021 killing of Frankie Smith and trafficking methamphetamine has been sentenced to more than 100 years in prison, according to court records. Spencer Newton Harwell was arrested following the June 2021 shooting of Smith at Smith’s business after what authorities described as an argument that turned violent. During the trial, Harw

U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., signs paperwork to run for governor Monday, Jan. 5, 2026, at the Alabama Republican Party headquarters in Hoover, Ala., as Alabama Republican Party Chairman John Wahl looks on. (AP Photo/Kimberly Chandler) T.L. Sullivan | The Weekly Ledger News | State News HOOVER, Ala. — U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville has officially filed paperwork to run for governor of Alabama, formally beginning his campaign ahead of the 2026 election. Tuberville submitted

4-year-old Johnathan “John John” Everett Boley(Walker County Sheriff's Office/ALEA) T.L. Sullivan | The Weekly Ledger News | Area News JASPER, Ala. — Newly released autopsy findings have provided additional insight into the death of 4-year-old Johnathan Everett Boley, who was discovered after a three-day search in the Thach community of Walker County. The case has drawn statewide attention after the child was found with his dog beside him. 4-year-old Johnathan “John John” Eve

T.L. Sullivan | The Weekly Ledger News | Local News WOOD BEND, Ala. — Multiple agencies responded Tuesday morning to a structure fire on County Road 38 in the Woods Bend community, south of Centre. Officials said the call came in during the morning hours, prompting a multi-agency response. Units from the Centre Fire Department, Leesburg Fire Department, Ellisville Fire Department, Cherokee County Emergency Management Agency, Atrium Floyd EMS, and the Cherokee County Sheriff’

T.L. Sullivan | The Weekly Ledger News | Community News CENTRE, Ala. — Cherokee County Health and Rehab (CCHRC) will host a community blood drive on Monday, January 12, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at its facility located at 877 Cedar Bluff Road in Centre. The blood drive will be conducted through a Blood Assurance mobile unit and is open to eligible community donors. Organizers are encouraging residents to donate whole blood, platelets, or plasma to help meet ongoing

T.L. Sullivan | The Weekly Ledger News | Area News ROME, Ga. — Two Centre women were arrested in Rome after a traffic stop resulted in the discovery of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia, according to reports from Coosa Valley News. Authorities identified the suspects as Amy Darlene Mayes, 43, and Amanda Dawn Studdard, 43. Amy Darlene Mayes, 43, and Amanda Dawn Studdard, 43, both of Centre. (Photo courtesy of Floyd County Jail) Officers reported that during the traffic s

T.L. Sullivan | The Weekly Ledger News | Local News LEESBURG, Ala. — The Leesburg Town Council met Monday afternoon for its regular session. During the session, council members handled several items of town business, including the approval of an alcohol license for Roberto’s Mexican Grill. Officials noted that food service establishments must obtain the appropriate alcohol licensing, and the council’s motion to approve the license passed unanimously. A highlight of the meeti

T.L. Sullivan | The Weekly Ledger News | Local News- Traffic Alert UPDATE: ( 01/06/2026 - 8:40 a.m.) Per ALEA the roadway Alabama Highway 68 near mile marker 17 in DeKalb County is back open. DEKALB COUNTY, Ala. — A single-vehicle fire early Tuesday morning prompted the closure of both lanes of Alabama Highway 68 near mile marker 17 in DeKalb County. The incident was reported at approximately 6:46 a.m. on January 6. Early reports indicate the vehicle involved is an 18-wheele

Daniel Brown(Jefferson County Jail) T.L. Sullivan | The Weekly Ledger News | Local News LEEDS, Ala. — A retired U.S. Air Force major and former substitute teacher has been arrested in Leeds on multiple felony charges involving the sexual exploitation of children, following a law enforcement search and ongoing multi-agency investigation. Daniel Martin Brown, 63, was taken into custody by the Leeds Police Department and booked into the Jefferson County Jail on Thursday, January

T.L. Sullivan | The Weekly Ledger News | Community News ROME, Ga. — Get ready for two action-packed nights of rodeo excitement as Cherokee Feed & Seed presents the Three Rivers Invitational Bull Riding at the Forum River Center in Rome, Georgia, on January 9 and January 10. This premier event will bring top riders and powerful bulls together under one roof, promising heart-pounding action for rodeo fans of all ages. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. each night, with bull riding beginni

Benjamin “Dee” Colbert. (Photo courtesy of Benjamin “Dee” Colbert) T.L. Sullivan | The Weekly Ledger News | Local News CHEROKEE COUNTY, Ala. — County Commission candidate Benjamin “Dee” Colbert is sharing the motivations behind his decision to run for public office, citing deep local roots, experience in government, and a commitment to transparency and improved services for residents. Colbert said his choice to run is grounded in a lifelong connection to Cherokee County. He w

T.L. Sullivan | The Weekly Ledger News | Area News CHATTOOGA COUNTY, Ga. — A domestic dispute ended in a shooting Sunday night, prompting a major response from law enforcement, according to Chattooga County Sheriff Mark A. Schrader. Deputies were dispatched around 9:30 p.m. to a residence on Highway 337 north of Chelsea in reference to a domestic situation that escalated into gunfire. When deputies arrived on scene, they located a male who had sustained a gunshot wound during

T.L. Sullivan | The Weekly Ledger News | Area News MARSHALL COUNTY, Ala. — A Guntersville man has been sentenced to 200 years in prison following his conviction on multiple counts related to the possession of child sexual abuse material, District Attorney Jennifer Bray announced. Gary Stephen Greenwell, 67, pleaded guilty in October 2025 to 10 counts of Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) in what is known as a “blind plea,” meaning no agreement was made with pro

Cherokee County Coroner Paul McDonald. (Photo courtesy of Paul McDonald.) T.L. Sullivan | The Weekly Ledger News | Area News CHEROKEE COUNTY, Ala. — Cherokee County Coroner Paul McDonald has formally announced his candidacy for another term, officially qualifying with the Alabama Republican Party to seek reelection. McDonald has served the citizens of Cherokee County since August 2016, beginning as Chief Deputy Coroner before being elected Coroner, a role he has held for the

T.L. Sullivan | The Weekly Ledger News | Area News DEKALB COUNTY, Ala. — The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office has announced that its offices will be temporarily closed from January 5 through January 9 due to what officials described as “sickness going around.” The precautionary closure is intended to help protect both employees and members of the public who utilize the office’s in-person services. According to the sheriff’s office, the decision was made after multiple staff me

T.L. Sullivan | The Weekly Ledger News | Regional News MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Rural communities across Alabama are set to see sweeping changes in health care access and services after Governor Kay Ivey announced the state has officially secured more than $203 million in first-year funding under the federal Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP). The approval came as the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued the state’s award number, formally greenlighting Alab

T.L. Sullivan | The Weekly Ledger News | Area News ROME, Ga. — Additional charges have been filed against a Gadsden man accused in the armed robbery of the former State Line Tavern, as authorities continue the search for two remaining suspects. Cherokee County deputies and the Centre Police Department arrested Jeffrey Lemar Smith, 23, of Gadsden, after locating him hiding inside a dumpster off West Main Street near Watson Drive in Centre. Smith was initially charged in Chero

City of Gadsden launches “Gotta Get To Gadsden”. (Image courtesy of City of Gadsden.) T.L. Sullivan | The Weekly Ledger News | Area News GADSDEN, Ala. — Gadsden city officials have unveiled a new marketing initiative, “Gotta Get to Gadsden,” aimed at attracting remote workers and individuals within commuting distance to make the city their home. The campaign highlights Gadsden’s low cost of living, strong sense of community, quality schools, and family-friendly environment, p

Republican Rep. Robert Aderholt issued a statement on Saturday morning after operations by the U.S. military led to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife. (Image by Anna Moneymaker) TWLN Staff Reporter | The Weekly Ledger News | National News WASHINGTON — Alabama leaders are speaking out following the reported capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife during a U.S. operation early Saturday morning. U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt issued

Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. (AP) TWLN Staff Reporter | The Weekly Ledger News | National News CARACAS, Venezuela — The United States conducted a rapid overnight operation in Venezuela that resulted in the capture and removal of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife from the country following a series of strikes, according to U.S. and Venezuelan officials. President Donald Trump said the U.S. is “now deciding next steps for Venezuela,” adding that Washington will remai