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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

T.L. Sullivan | The Weekly Ledger News | Area Community News CAVE SPRING, Ga. — A chilly New Year’s morning set the perfect scene for the annual Cave Spring Polar Plunge, a tradition that has now been going strong for well over a decade. The event, held at Rolater Park, once again drew residents and visitors willing to take a quick icy dip to welcome the new year — all while supporting a meaningful local cause. The Polar Plunge was originally the idea of the late Mike Raglan

T.L. Sullivan | The Weekly Ledger News | Area News GADSDEN, Ala. — An elderly Gadsden man has died following a house fire that occurred on New Year’s Eve, according to the Etowah County Coroner’s Office. The victim has been identified as George E. Newsom, who was in his 80s. Firefighters with the Gadsden Fire Department responded to the residence located on Shahan Avenue in the Alabama City community shortly before 5 p.m. on Wednesday, along with members of the Etowah County

Noah “Smo” Smother. (Photo courtesy of the Smothers family.) T.L. Sullivan | The Weekly Ledger News | Area News DEKALB COUNTY, Ala. — The Sand Mountain communities of Ider and Henagar are mourning the loss of 14-year-old Noah “Smo” Smothers, who passed away on Monday, December 29, as a result of complications from the flu. He was surrounded by family at the time of his passing. Smothers is the second child in Alabama reported to have died from flu-related complications withi

TWLN Staff Reporter | The Weekly Ledger News | Local News CENTRE, Ala. — Emergency crews responded Friday afternoon to a three-vehicle crash on Chestnut Bypass near People’s Bank in Centre shortly before 5:00 p.m. Upon arrival, first responders found one vehicle a Ford XLT overturned and an individual trapped inside . Once emergency personnel was able to stabilize the vehicle they were able get the driver out. The extent of injuries has not yet been released by authorities. T

TWLN Staff Reporter | The Weekly Ledger News | Local News CEDAR BLUFF, Ala . — Authorities have released the identities of the two individuals who were killed in a two-vehicle crash Thursday on AL Highway 9 causeway between Centre and Cedar Bluff. The crash claimed the life of Jasmine D. Agan, 26, and Thomas D. Again, 25, both of Cedar Bluff. Thomas and Jasmine Agan. (Photo courtesy of social media.) Senior Trooper Gregory Corble said Jasmine Agan was driving a 2020 Chevrolet

TWLN Weather Desk | The Weekly Ledger News | Weather Update NORTHEAST ALABAMA — Rain returns to the area today and tonight, followed by a mild and gradually clearing weekend, according to the latest forecast. Today, expect mostly cloudy skies with a 50% chance of rain after mid-afternoon. High temperatures will reach near 62 degrees, with light southwest winds. Rainfall amounts today should remain light. Tonight, rain becomes more widespread. Periods of showers and a few thu

Photo courtesy of the Durden family of Scarlett Durden. TWLN Staff Writer | The Weekly Ledger News | Area News PIEDMONT, Ala. — A Piedmont family is facing an unimaginable loss after 16-year-old Scarlett Durden passed away suddenly on Christmas morning. Instead of celebrating the holiday and preparing for the new year, her family is now planning her funeral. Her mother, Renee Durden, shared that the family is not only grieving Scarlett’s death but is also navigating her husba

Etowah County Sheriff Jonathon W. Horton. Photo courtesy: Jonathon W. Horton. T.L. Sullivan | The Weekly Ledger News | Area News GADSDEN, Ala . — Etowah County Sheriff Jonathon W. Horton has formally announced his intention to seek a third term in office, emphasizing continued dedication to public safety, accountable leadership, and service to the people of Etowah County. Sheriff Horton, who has served since January 14, 2019, said his decision to run again is rooted in a desi

TWLN Staff Reporter | The Weekly Ledger News | Local News CEDAR BLUFF, Ala. — A fatal two-vehicle accident on the AL Highway 9 causeway between Centre and Cedar Bluff has claimed the lives of two individuals, with a third person airlifted from the scene for medical treatment, according to authorities. The crash occurred on the causeway section of AL Hwy 9, prompting law enforcement and emergency medical personnel closed the roadway for a period of time while first responders

TWLN Staff Reporter | The Weekly Ledger News | Local News ROCK RUN, Ala. — The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office has launched an investigation following the death of a woman discovered inside a residence in the Rock Run community late Friday night. According to sheriff’s officials, a 911 call was received at approximately 10:55 p.m. reporting a deceased female at a home on County Road 29 near Piedmont. Deputies responded to the location along with Spring Garden Valley Fire De

T.L. Sullivan | The Weekly Ledger News | Area News COLLINSVILLE, Ala . — A woman was shot by law enforcement following a multi-agency pursuit in DeKalb County on Saturday afternoon, according to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA). The incident began after the Dade County, Georgia Sheriff’s Office issued a BOLO (Be on the Lookout) for a vehicle. ALEA said the vehicle was later located on Interstate 59 in DeKalb County by a deputy who attempted a traffic stop shortly bef