Stories from surrounding communities, closest first.
Gadsden Messenger · Gadsden, AL
Nearby: Gadsden, ALBy Craig Scott, Director of Gadsden Public Library One of the things I’ve learned throughout my career is that no matter how long you’ve been doing something, there’s always something new to learn. Sometimes the best ideas don’t come from sitting behind your desk. They come from stepping outside your surroundings, listening to others and discovering how different communities approach the same challenges we face here in Gadsden and Etowah County. That’s precisely why I recently traveled to Winter Park, Florida, to participate in the 2026 Library Journal Directors’ Summit. I was honored to be selected as one of 100 public library directors invited to this national gathering. The opportunity to exchange ideas with fellow library leaders, hear from respected voices in our profession, and reflect on the future of public libraries was both rewarding and thought-provoking. But perhaps the most important part of attending isn’t what you learn while you’re there.
Gadsden Messenger · Gadsden, AL
Nearby: Gadsden, ALBy Danny Crownover [The Vagabond] Gadsden’s first public well was located at what is now Broad and First Streets — on the bluff overlooking the Coosa River — according to the legend handed down by the earliest settlers here. The well was sunk there in order to provide water for both man and beast, long before there was much of a village in the area or any thought of such a place as Gadsden. Six stage lines ran through here from Atlanta, GA and Jacksonville, AL, and the small acreage on the bluff known as Emma Sansom Park was used as a hitching and camping ground. Later, a log hotel was built by General D.C. Turrentine at the corner of First and Broad; it was the accommodation of travelers in those pioneer days. In the late 1830s and early 1840s — and in fact, in later years, too — that first public well was the central point around which the village began to grow.
The Cullman Times · Holly Pond, AL
Nearby: Holly Pond, ALThe town of Holly Pond may soon be looking to have more control over the types of businesses that are allowed to operate within its town limits. Mayor Carla Hart asked the members of the Holly Pond Town Council if they would be open to considering a type of ordinance that would prohibit what she described as “offensive” businesses from obtaining a business license during the council’s meeting on Monday, Nov. 2. Hart said, at the moment, said that she wasn’t aware of any rumors about any individual business looking to open up shop in Holly Pond and that she didn’t want to limit entire industries other than to say she felt that prohibiting “places that might have pictures with nudity and things in their window” would be in the town’s best interest. “I’m not going to name anything in particular because I’m not that prejudiced against things, but I do think there are some things that shouldn’t be around children,” Hart said.
Athens News Courier · Boaz, AL
Nearby: Boaz, ALAthens and Tanner saw their respective flag football seasons come to an end this week. The Golden Eagles, which defeated Pell City 12-6 in the opening round, fell to Boaz by a score of 27-6 on Tuesday. Athens finished its season at 9-5. The Rattlers, meanwhile, lost to Moody 40-0 on Tuesday after earning a 31-0 win over Sipsey Valley in the first round. Tanner finishes its season at 6-6.
The Star · Alabaster, AL
Nearby: Alabaster, ALAlabama governor Dr. Robert Bentley came to Marion several years ago for a ribbon-cutting event and afterwards had lunch at a local restaurant with community leaders. I was surprised to get a call inviting me to the lunch as a representative of the college. As we say in the South, I was in “high cotton.” I asked the governor if he admired Ronald Reagan as his predecessor Bob Riley did. I was in Riley’s office once and noted the “It Can Be Done” sign on his desk–a replica of the one Reagan kept on his desk bespeaking a positive attitude. “I do admire Reagan,” Bentley said, “but I really like Harry Truman.” Bentley explained that Truman refused appointments to corporate boards in his post-presidency. “They don’t want Harry Truman,” the president said. “They want a former president. My honor is not for sale.” “That’s the kind of integrity we need today in politics,” Bentley said. I asked the governor if he had one of Truman’s famous “The Buck Stops Here” signs.
The Cullman Times · Cullman, AL
Nearby: Cullman, ALVisit Cullman hosted the Alabama Travel Council’s Quarterly Board and Committee Meetings on Nov. 9–10, welcoming tourism leaders from across the state for two days of collaboration, networking and experiences highlighting Cullman County. Meetings took place at the OmniPlex, showcasing the community’s capacity to accommodate professional meetings and events. Among the attendees were Alabama Tourism Department Director Glenda Allred, who was appointed in July, and Deputy Director Grey Brennan. “It is truly an honor to host the Alabama Travel Council’s quarterly meeting in Cullman,” said Jeff Clemons, Chairman of the Cullman County Tourism Board.
The Cullman Times · Cullman, AL
Nearby: Cullman, ALThe annual Cullman County Veterans Day Celebration and air show returned to Cullman Regional Airport Saturday, Nov. 7. Guests were treated to interactive displays honoring America’s military veterans along with military flyovers, skydiving demonstrations, and living history exhibitions. Visitors were given an up-close view of the aircraft and vehicles that helped America win some of history’s most notable wars. This year’s displays included a WWII observation aircraft, a Fairchild PT-19, a Bell UH-1 Huey helicopter, and a Douglas C-47 Skytrain used to drop paratroopers into Nazi-occupied France during the D-Day operation. Retired U.S. Army pilot Mike Durant, whose story is featured in the film Black Hawk Down, also made a special guest appearance and veterans and their families were served a complimentary lunch.
