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TWLN Staff Reporter | The Weekly Ledger News | Area News ROME, Ga. — A former Georgia Department of Corrections (GDOC) officer has been sentenced to prison time and probation for his role in a violent assault on an inmate at the Floyd County Jail. This case has drawn scrutiny to misconduct and abuse of authority within the corrections system. Joshua Lee Riddle, 32, was sentenced Thursday by Floyd County Superior Court Judge Kay Ann King to two years in prison followed by eig

TWLN Staff Reporter | The Weekly Ledger News | Area News ETOWAH COUNTY, Ala. — The Etowah County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s assistance in locating a missing man last seen on New Year’s Day. Missing person John William “Billy” Malcom, 35 of Etowah County. (Photo courtesy of ECSO) According to authorities, John William “Billy” Malcom, 35, was last seen on January 1 in the area of Alford’s Bend and Riverside Drive, near the Coosa River. Investigators say they cu

T.L. Sullivan | The Weekly Ledger News | Local News CENTRE, Ala. – Gadsden State Community College proudly recognized the achievements of its Summer and Fall 2025 graduates during a commencement ceremony held on December 18 at Gadsden State Cherokee campus in Centre, honoring hundreds of students for their academic dedication and success. A total of 558 students were celebrated for completing associate degrees, certificates, and short-term certificates, earning a combined 91

Photo of Gadsden State Community College main campus in Gadsden, Ala. (Image courtesy of GSCC) T.L. Sullivan | The Weekly Ledger News | Local News GADSDEN, Ala. —— Gadsden State Community College has unveiled a new scholarship initiative aimed at making higher education more affordable and attainable for students across the region. Gadsden State Community College The Cardinal Promise. (Image courtesy of GSCC) The Cardinal Promise campaign offers significant tuition reductions

Girl Scouts set up selling their cookies. (Image courtesy of North Central Alabama Girl Scouts) T.L. Sullivan | The Weekly Ledger News | Community News NORTH CENTRAL, Ala. — The countdown is on as Girl Scouts of North Central Alabama officially kick off the 2026 Girl Scout Cookie Season, a long-standing tradition that supports local girls while delighting cookie lovers across the region. More than 4,500 Girl Scouts spanning 36 counties are expected to participate this year,

T.L. Sullivan | The Weekly Ledger News | Community News NORTHEAST ALABAMA & NORTHWEST GEORGIA — National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day serves as a time for communities across the nation to pause and recognize the dedication, sacrifice, and service of the men and women who protect our towns, counties, and state each and every day. From city police officers and county sheriff’s deputies to state troopers and specialized investigators, law enforcement professionals work arou

By Bro. David Woodard | The Weekly Ledger News | Faith & Inspiration Column “ And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: but I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: (Notice) and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. ” — Luke 22:31–32 (KJV) One of the most powerful truths found in this passage is that Jesus speaks restoration before Peter’s failure ever happens . Thoughts Thought 1 , failure is

Cherokee County Commissioner, District 4 Carlton “Bubba” Teague. (Photo courtesy of Carlton “Bubba” Teague) T.L. Sullivan | The Weekly Ledger News | Local News CENTRE, Ala. — Carlton “Bubba” Teague has officially announced his bid for re-election to the Cherokee County Commission, District 4, confirming he has qualified with the Alabama Republican Party ahead of the 2026 election cycle. Teague, who brings 16 years of experience in public service, said his decision to seek ano

Photo of Cherokee Chamber Executive Director Joy Perry and Member Manager Leann Lockridge at January’s Chamber Breakfast celebrating 190 years of Cherokee County. (Photo courtesy of Cherokee Chamber social media) T.L. Sullivan | The Weekly Ledger News | Local News CENTRE, Ala. — Community leaders, business owners, and residents gathered this Thursday morning for a special Chamber Breakfast celebrating a major milestone: 190 years of Cherokee County, Alabama. Hosted by the Che

T.L. Sullivan | The Weekly Ledger News | Faith & Inspiration Column The Weekly Ledger News is honored to introduce our new weekly Faith & Inspiration Column, designed to encourage hearts, strengthen faith, and share biblical truth with our community. This column will be written by Bro. David Woodard, an ordained minister from Etowah County with more than 35 years of ministry experience. Throughout his calling, Bro. Woodard has faithfully served as a pastor, youth pastor, and

TWLN Angling Staff Writer | The Weekly Ledger News | Area Lake News GUNTERSVILLE, Ala. — Lake Guntersville will take center stage this month as Major League Fishing’s Bass Pro Tour brings its Fishing Show to Nash’s City Harbor on January 17–18. The family-friendly event will be held from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. each day at 299 Scott Street in Guntersville and will feature a full lineup of activities for fishing enthusiasts of all ages. The two-day show will include rod and reel give

T.L. Sullivan | The Weekly Ledger News | Local News CHEROKEE COUNTY, Ala. — Cherokee County deputies, dispatchers, and first responders are responding to more calls than ever before. Yet, overall crime in the county has continued to decline, according to the latest figures from Cherokee County E-911. In 2025, the Cherokee County E-911 dispatch center handled 40,375 calls for service, compared to 27,551 calls in 2023 — an increase of nearly 47 percent. Officials attribute the

TWLN Staff Writer | The Weekly Ledger News | State News MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Alabama officially entered the 2026 election season on Monday as qualifying opened for candidates seeking state and federal offices, marking a key milestone on the road to the May primaries and November general election. Qualifying began at 8:30 a.m. Monday and will remain open through Friday, January 23, at 5 p.m. During this period, prospective candidates must formally file in order to appear on the

Anastassja “Anya” or “Tess” Cooper, 32, of Marion is a person of interest in Perry County homicide investigation. (Photo provided by ALEA) TWLN Staff Reporter | The Weekly Ledger News | State News PERRY COUNTY, Ala . — The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) has launched a nationwide search for a person of interest connected to a homicide investigation in Perry County. On Wednesday, November 12, 2025, SBI Special Agents opened the investigatio

Will Boyd, shown here during his 2018 campaign for the U.S. Senate, is running for governor of Alabama. (Jake Crandall/The Montgomery Advertiser via AP) TWLN Staff Writer | The Weekly Ledger News | State News FLORENCE, Ala. —Will Boyd, a longtime Democratic candidate and pastor from Florence, has announced that he will seek the Democratic nomination for governor of Alabama in the 2026 election. Boyd serves as pastor of St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church in Florence and holds

Chad “Chig” Martin is one of the Democratic candidates in the 2026 Alabama gubernatorial race. (Photo courtesy of Chad “Chig” Martin) TWLN Staff Writer | The Weekly Ledger News | State News ENTERPRISE, Ala. — Known for the many literal and professional hats he wears as an Alabama entrepreneur, Chad “Chig” Martin is officially throwing his “hat” in the ring and has announced his candidacy as a Democrat in the 2026 Alabama gubernatorial race. Martin, a lifelong resident of En

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’