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PAGE 8B May 2024
Gadsden State Fine Arts Center To Undergo $7.9 Million Renovation
Gadsden State Community College President Kathy Murphy has announce the large-scale renovation of the Wallace Hall Fine Arts Center and academic wing. “We are excited about this occasion,” she said “We are making history today. We are making sure that our employees, our students and our community have the facility they deserve.” The project will cost almost $7.9 million. The academic wing will undergo complete renovation of classrooms and studio space that will be used for courses in photography, pottery, visual arts, choral and band. Renovations will also be made to the computer lab and restrooms as well as new interior sheetrock walls, doors, flooring and paint throughout the building. Completely new electrical, plumbing and mechanical systems will also be included. Exterior renovations will include an updated brick and precast façade; new concrete paved courtyard with lighting; a new front entry to both the Fine Arts Center and academic wing; and all new windows. Mario Gallardo, chairman of the Fine Arts Division at Gadsden State, said Wallace Hall is more than just a building. “It is the epicenter for creativity and celebration of the arts at Gadsden State and for the community of northeast Alabama,” he said. “It’s a place where students can dream, build, play and imagine a beautiful future.” It’s also a place that connects the community with Gadsden State, he said. “Wallace Hall serves as a space to bring the community together like nothing else can,” Gallardo said. “The arts cross all boundaries that might keep us apart and reveal our humanity and help us to empathize with our neighbors. I’ve said many times that what we do here doesn’t stay here. It ripples out into the community.” The project is being funded by a bond that was approved in November by the Alabama Community College System Board of Trustees. The bond is also funding the construction of a new baseball/softball complex. Gadsden State broke ground on the complex April 2. The architectural firm for the Wallace Hall renovations is Lathan Associates of Hoover while the contractor is Hudak Construction Co. of Gadsden. Demolition is currently underway with the renovation projected to be completed next summer. Gadsden State Community College’s student-athletes are forging a bond with a child fighting a battle far greater than any game. Levi Worthington is an 8-year-old boy from Susan Moore who has been diagnosed with ependymoma, a tumor that affects the brain and spinal cord. He is the third child to join the Gadsden State Cardinals through a partnership with Friends of Jaclyn Foundation, a non-profit organization that connects children battling brain tumors with college and high school sports teams. A special signing event to signal Levi’s “adoption” as a Cardinal was held April 29 at the Beck Conference Center. Amanda Worthington, Levi’s mother, said it was 18 months ago when her child started getting sick, was becoming increasingly confused about simple things and lost 20 pounds in three weeks. “It got to the point that we could hardly get him to wake up,” she said. Just a few days before his seventh birthday, a CT scan revealed a large mass on his brain. He was rushed to Children’s of Alabama and admitted to pediatric intensive care in preparation for brain surgery. “He was lethargic and had a heart rate of only 23 beats per minute,” she said. “We just prayed that God would have His hand in it.” Levi underwent a four-hour surgery that showed the tumor was crushing his brainstem and wrapped around On Friday, April 26th, Agents with the DeKalb County Narcotics Unit, as well as the DeKalb County SRT and DeKalb County Aviation Unit, conducted a vehicle take down on Glenn Blvd in Fort Payne resulting in the seizure of 1,014 grams (1 KILO) of methamphetamine. “The amount of methamphetamine that was seized would have ruined hundreds, if not thousands, of lives in this small community. We will never stop fighting to take this poison off the streets and to keep this out of the hands of our children,” said DeKalb County Sheriff Nick Welden. Welden said that agents spotted Thomas Dewayne Bailey (age 51 of Flat Rock) who they knew had active warrants with Jackson County for Trafficking in Methamphetamine and passenger, Edwin Adam Hamilton (age 45 of Section). Public safety is our top priority, so in order to avoid a vehicle pursuit, Agents boxed Bailey’s vehicle in and conducted a controlled take down, resulting in the arrest of
absorbing materials were added to the walls, and brand-new flooring was installed. We also updated the audio system. In 2023, Gadsden State replaced the HVAC system at a cost of over $500,000. Through the years, Wallace Hall has hosted a broad range of community events, like plays, concerts, dance recitals and graduation ceremonies for local high schools. It is home to Gadsden State’s own in-house events, such as Convocation, the Jazz Festival, Evening of Fine Arts, plays produced by the Theatre Department, professional development events and, occasionally, commencement exercises. The academic wing of Wallace Hall includes classrooms, labs and studio space for the fine arts programs, music programs, the popular A Cappella choir, the famous Gadsden State Show Band & Singers, and the theatre program, which returned to the stage in 2021 after being shuttered for over a decade. When operating at full capacity, Wallace Hall Fine Arts Center has attracted approximately 40,000 visitors per year. The Foundation was founded after his daughter, Jaclyn, was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor in 2004 when she was only 9 years old. While in the hospital, a lacrosse team poster inspired her father to encourage Jaclyn that she would one day be like the players on the poster – happy and excited by a victory. Later, she was adopted by a collegiate lacrosse team as an honorary member. “The team was inspired by Jaclyn, and Jaclyn was encouraged by the team,” Murphy said. “They made her feel like she’s part of a team. I knew I had to help kids like Jaclyn. They all need to have a team like Jaclyn did.” Jaclyn celebrated 20 years of being disease-free on March 26, and the family continues the mission of uplifting children living with pediatric brain tumors. “Our mission is to improve the quality of life for these kids,” he said. “We want them to enjoy themselves and forget sometimes that they’re sick.” Lewis said that Levi will be a part of the Cardinal family for life. “We aim to provide support and a sense of belonging to Levi and his entire family,” he said. “We believe in the power of sports. We certainly welcome them to the Cardinal family.”
THE HISTORY OF WALLACE HALL The Wallace Hall Fine Arts Center was constructed in 1967 for $1.5 million. It was designed by Architects Hofferbert and Eliss and was built with excellent acoustics and modern stage equipment. In 1997, the near constant use of Wallace Hall had taken its toll. Without major renovations, the Fine Arts Center would face closure. In 1998, Gadsden State and the City of Gadsden raised over $450,000 to complete the needed repairs, which include the installation of 1,200 new theatre seats. The restrooms were gutted and replaced, and new dressing space was added. In 2011, Wallace Hall received a $150,000 landmark grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to transform the theatrical lighting systems into a more energy-efficient system. The facility now boasts an LED lighting system, which saves an estimated $35,000 in energy costs annually. In 2016, additional upgrades were made. The ceilings were repaired, and the entire space was painted. New sound his spinal cord. Two weeks after the surgery and a shunt insertion, he took his first round of chemotherapy. “It’s an awful, nasty poison but you pray that it works; that it shrinks the tumor,” Worthington said of chemotherapy. “Unfortunately, it fed his cancer, and the tumor grew three times bigger. It was a devastating blow.” Over the past year, Levi has undergone several rounds of chemotherapy and radiation. He also takes medication. “He has taken everything like a champ,” she said. “He never complains. He takes things better than most adults. He really is one of the bravest souls I know.” Worthington said Levi is one of six children. All of his siblings provide daily support and encouragement. “They have been there for him every step of the way,” she said. “This process has been a nightmare, and we are only surviving because we are a close-knit family. Levi is a lucky little boy with siblings he can rely on. This is their day, too. I want to thank them for always being so supportive.” Denis Murphy, founder of the Friends of Jaclyn Foundation, attended the signing event and shared how the foundation programs are making a difference in the lives of over 1,000 children nationwide. “Gadsden State is the only college in the country that has an entire athletic department committed to these children,” he said. “Typically, it’s only one or two teams at Bailey is also known for Distribution of methamphetamine throughout DeKalb and Jackson Counties, and a habitual offender facing a long-term prison sentence, had cut his ankle monitor off that had been placed on him, earlier in the day, by Alabama Pardons and Paroles. Bailey was charged with Trafficking in any Illegal Drug, Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Resisting Arrest and Attempt to Elude. Hamilton was charged with Trafficking in any Illegal Drug, Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Resisting Arrest. “I am so proud of our law enforcement officers in the way this situation was handled. Our officers go through intensive training and numerous scenarios, so that they will know the best way to keep everyone safe,” added Sheriff Welden. "They showed up and showed out."
Cardinals 'Adopt' Child Battling Brain Tumor a college. At Gadsden State, all of the teams are committed to these kids.”
Methamphetamine Confiscated In 'Take Down' both subjects with no harm to the public.
Vehicle Pursuit Leads To Arrest Near State Line
Photo Courtesy of Susan Armstrong
By Brandon K. Pierce Alabama Ledger
to Elude, Trafficking in any Illegal Drug and Reckless Endangerment. Wooten was also out on parole in Georgia, which has now been revoked. The passenger, Shiann Sorrells (age 33 of Valley Head) was also arrested and charged with Using False ID to Obstruct Justice and 4 warrants for Failure to Appear. Both Wooten and Sorrells were transported and booked into the DeKalb County Detention Center. “I’m glad this pursuit ended without someone getting hurt and a drug dealer has been put behind bars. When someone is being reckless and showing no regard to others safety, there is no other place for them other than behind bars,” commented Welden. “A huge thanks to all that assisted in the apprehension of this fleeing drug dealer."
Frank Boyd recently spoke to the Albertville Rotary Club. Boyd has 34 years of Professional Wildlife Management experience with specialization in the field of Wildlife Damage Management and extensive leadership in the development, coordination, and implementation of cooperative initiatives with a broad spectrum of private sector businesses, private landowners, federal, state, territorial, and international agencies, and non-governmental entities in the Southeastern U.S. and the Caribbean. He also has unique experience with Wildlife Hazard Evaluations at over 20 airports across the southeastern U.S. and the Caribbean.
A vehicle pursuit has led to the arrest of a Trenton, Georgia man. He was charged with trafficking in fentanyl. According to Dekalb County Sheriff Nick Welden, a deputy attempted to make a traffic stop near Alabama Highway 75 and County Road 140 (also known as Sulphur Springs Road) in Ider on Monday, April 29, 2024, at approximately 10 a.m.. A white Chevrolet truck failed to stop and attempted to flee. Several units responded to assist, and authorities were able to stop the vehicle in the Sulphur Springs area on County Road 512. The driver Charles Kevin Wooten (age 47 of Trenton, GA) was arrested and charged with Resisting Arrest, Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Attempt
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