A LABAMA L EDGER
JULY 2023
PAGE 3 www.AlabamaLedger.com
BOGO scholarship helps pay tuition for Chamber members and employees
Assistant Sheriff appointed in Etowah County “This is an exciting time in Etowah County,” he said. “It’s important to have relationships like this because these relationships improve the quality of life and continue workforce development.” “This is a part of the continued commitment that Gadsden State has made to support the vision of the ACCS, our state and our community,” she said. Tony Smith, chairman of The Chamber Board of Directors in Etowah County, said he is grateful for the collaboration and positive working relationship between The Chamber and Gadsden State. Gadsden State Community College has announced a new partnership with three local Chamber's of Commerce that includes help paying for tuition. Dr. Kathy Murphy, President of Gadsden State, has announced that members and employees of The Chamber of Gadsden and Etowah County, as well as the Cherokee County and the Calhoun County Chambers, may be eligible for a Buy One Get One Free Scholarship. This includes a free course for each paid course at Gadsden State during the Fall Semester, which starts August 21, 2023 Registration is open now. “Because we are a community college, community comes first,” said Dr. Murphy. “This BOGO Scholarship will provide half of your courses to you with no tuition expense.” Murphy added that the BOGO Scholarship announcement coincides with the 60th anniversary of the Alabama Community College System. Etowah County Sheriff Jonathon Horton has appointed an Assistant Sheriff. Johnny Grant will now serve in the position of Assistant Sheriff and will perform the duties of the Sheriff in the absence of Sheriff Jonathon Horton. Grant will also help provide guidance to the Command Staff in daily operations of the Etowah County Sheriff's Office. Sheriff Horton noted that he is excited about the wealth of knowledge and experience that Johnny brings to the Office of the Sheriff. Assistant Sheriff Grant began his law enforcement career in 1975 as a patrol officer at the Altoona Police Department and served in that capacity until 1978, when he joined the Etowah County Sheriff's Office as a Deputy Sheriff. He served as a Narcotics Investigator from 1980- 1987, as the Etowah County District Attorney's Investigator from 1987-1996, as the Etowah County Sheriff's Office Chief of Corrections from 1996-2000, and the Chief of Investigations from 2000-2007. Prior to retiring in 2012 from the Sheriff's Office, with over 37 years of Law Enforcement Experience, Asst. Sheriff Grant served as Chief Deputy of the Etowah County Sheriff's Office from 2007-2012. After retirement he served another year as the D.A.'s Investigator from 2013-2014 and served as Chief of Police for the Altoona Police Department from 2014-2020. He was elected as County Commissioner of District 2 in 2016. Sheriff Horton added that Grant will be a huge asset to continue to progress the Office of the Etowah County Sheriff, as the department works to provide the best possible law enforcement services to Etowah County. Assistant Sheriff Grant has experience leading each division of the Sheriff's office under four previous Sheriff's to include Sheriffs: Felton Yates, Roy McDowell, James Hayes and Todd Entrekin. Sheriff Jonathon Horton will be the fifth Sheriff he has served under. Asst. Sheriff Grant also served under two previous District Attorneys to include James "Jim" Hedgspeth, Jr. and Jimmy Harp.
a tool for recruiting employees,” added Robinson. The BOGO Scholarship covers tuition for one course for each paid course. Free and paid courses must be taken during the same semester. This scholarship can be used for programs leading to a certificate or an associate degree. Additionally students enrolled under the BOGO Scholarship agreement may be enrolled part-time or full- time at Gadsden State. Books, fees or other costs associated with the free course are the responsibility of the employee. To take advantage of this opportunity, the students must be a full or part-time employee with one of three local Chambers, which includes The Chamber of Gadsden and Etowah County, the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce or the Calhoun County Chamber of Commerce. Employees must apply to Gadsden State and provide proof of employment with The Chamber or a company with Chamber membership. Proof must come from the company’s Human Resources Department or hiring manager. If the employee has previously attended any college, they must be in good academic standing Gadsden State has plans to continue the program in Spring 2024 semester, however the employee must maintain at least a 2.5 GPA to remain eligible for the offer. Any chamber employee receiving any other form of institutional aid is not eligible for the BOGO Scholarship. Also the offer cannot be combined with institutional aid, tuition discounts or specialized package pricing due to other MOUs. For any additional questions about the BOGO Scholarship please email admissions@gadsdenstate.edu.
“We are proud of the work we do with Gadsden State,” added Christi Robinson, CEO and president of The Chamber. “What Gadsden State is offering today will be a valuable benefit to Chamber members, and it can be used as Gadsden State President Dr. Kathy Murphy looks on as Tony Smith, board chair of The Chamber of Gadsden and Etowah County, signs the MOU for the BOGO Scholarship. The new scholarship provides Chamber members with a free course for every paid course at GSCC. Photo Courtesy of The Chamber of Gadsden & Etowah
MUSIC ON THE MOUNTAIN - Northeast Alabama Community College has announced that country music group Diamond Rio will be the featured artist at this year’s Music on the Mountain. The event will be held on Thursday, August 3, at 7:00 p.m. at the Tom Bevill Lyceum in Rainsville. Read the full story online at www.alabamaledger.com. COUNTING CROWS - Sand Mountain Amphitheater is set to host the world renowned rock band Counting Crows with special guest Dashboard Confessional on Saturday, August 12, 2023. According to a news release the "Counting Crows have enchanted listeners worldwide for more than two decades with their intensely soulful and intricate take on timeless rock & roll. Exploding onto the music scene in 1993 with their multi-platinum breakout album, August and Everything After, the band has gone on to release seven studio albums, selling more than 20 million records worldwide." News and Announcements WATERMELON FESTIVAL - Plenty of sweet juicy fun is on tap the third weekend in August when summer’s favorite fruit takes center stage during the annual Franklin County Watermelon Festival in Russellville. Set for August 18-19, 2023, the Watermelon Festival offers arts and crafts, a variety of watermelon contests, car and truck show, food vendors, children’s activities, games and musical entertainment, along with free samples of watermelon. Over 100 vehicles are expected for the car and truck show on Saturday morning, and additional activities include a 5K run and 1-mile fun run, character guests to entertain the children and other contests offered by the Franklin County Extension Office. The festival weekend begins with opening ceremonies at 6:45 p.m. on Friday with live music taking the stage both days. While the watermelon takes centerstage, the music lineup is also a main attraction, On Friday, August 18 the music lineup includes: Tremayne (7 p.m.) and Velcro Pygmies (8:30 p.m.) The Saturday, Aug. 19 Music Lineup: REWIND of the Shoals (6 p.m.) Austin Bohannon (7 p.m.) and Colt Ford (8:30 p.m.). All activities take place along Main Street (Jackson Avenue). Hours are 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. on Friday and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday. Admission is free. For more details, visit the www.franklincountychamber.org or call 256.332.1760. CHEAP TRICK CONCERT - The Sand Mountain Amphitheater in Albertville is set to host Rock & Roll Hall of Fame member Cheap Trick on Friday, September 22, 2023. Cheap Trick has been beloved around the globe since 1974 for their instantly identifiable, hugely influential, brand of pop rock 'n' roll. The band – Robin Zander (vocals, rhythm guitar), Rick Nielsen (lead guitar), Tom Petersson (bass guitar), and Daxx Nielsen (drums) – are true pioneers with an unparalleled streak of classic tunes.
BANK FRAUD - A federal grand jury has indicted six people on fraud charges. A 10-count indictment filed in U.S. District Court charges Ionut Iamandita, 28, Milena Iamandita, 25, Elena Matei, 18, Florin Matei, 27, Larisa Iordache, 28, and Marius Iordache, 29, with conspiracy to commit bank fraud. Ionut Iamandita, Milena Iamandita, Elena Matei, Florin Matei, and Larisa Iordache were also charged with aggravated identity theft. According to the indictment, from February 2023 to June 2023, the defendants participated in a conspiracy that used skimming devices and covert video cameras to steal Listerhill Credit Union and Avadian Credit Union customers’ account information. Conspirators then withdrew funds from ATMs using stolen account information. The maximum penalty for conspiracy to commit bank fraud is 30 years in prison. Aggravated identity theft carries a mandatory sentence of two years in prison. The FBI and United States Secret Service investigated the case with assistance from the Lauderdale County’s Sherriff’s Office, Tuscaloosa County Sherriff’s Office, Hoover Police Department, and Vestavia Hills Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney John M. Hundscheid is prosecuting the case.
BLACK JACKET SYMPHONY - The Black Jacket Symphony will return to Sand Mountain Amphitheater in Albertville on Friday, August 11, 2023 to perform Queen’s “A Night at the Opera.” The show begins with the multi-platinum-selling album performed note-for- note, sound-for-sound, followed by a full set of Queen’s greatest hits. Marc Martel, who joins the band as vocalist for this epic performance, is a world-renowned singer known for his uncanny vocal likeness to Freddie Mercury. Discovered on YouTube by Queen guitar player Brian May and drummer Roger Taylor, Martel’s Queen performance videos have been viewed tens of millions of times. His voice is prominently featured in the world-wide smash biopic ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’. Mixed with original masters of Freddie Mercury, Martel’s vocals were blended to create the seamless presentation that resulted in a #1 movie. CHRIS JANSON CONCERT - The Sand Mountain Amphitheater in Albertville has added Multi-Platinum Country Music artist Chris Janson to its 2023 concert lineup. The concert is set for Friday, August 19. With multiple songs under his belt that have hit #1 on the Country charts, Chris Janson is a true Star of the industry. "Fix a Drink", "Good Vibes", CMA song of the year Nominee "Drunk Girl" as well as the Triple Platinum mega hit "Buy me a Boat" are just a few of the iconic songs Janson has recorded. FOREVER WILD BOARD MEETING - The Board of Trustees of the Alabama Forever Wild Land Trust will hold its third quarterly meeting of 2023 on Thursday, August 3, at the MacQueen Alumni Center at the University of South Alabama. This is located at 100 Alumni Dr., in Mobile. The meeting will take place at 10 a.m.
COINS - MAGIC THE GATHERING
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Have A Great School Year!
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