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PAGE 3A May 2024
Several area citizens, law enforcement and elected officials attended a ground breaking ceremony for a new Cherokee County Courthouse on Thursday, May 2, 2024. The new facility will be over 30,000 sq ft. and it is being built in downtown at the former location of the Baptist Church. The current Cherokee County Courthouse was built in the 1930's prior to World War II. The number of cases handled in Cherokee County has reportedly increased over 80% in recent years and the current building has outgrown the space needed by county officials. Some of the comments made during the groundbreaking ceremony called the new Courthouse a "Jewel" and "Symbol" for Cherokee County. Groundbreaking held for new Cherokee County Courthouse Photo By Brandon K. Pierce, Alabama Ledger
Thrill-seeking athletes who are not afraid of getting muddy, wet and pushed to the limit will be taking part in Gadsden’s Barbarian Challenge, a six-mile obstacle course run through scenic Noccalula Falls Park. The annual extreme competition is set for June 15, 2024. Registration is open at www.barbarianchallenge.com and contestants will want to take note of a new grand prize giveaway at this year’s event. The Barbarian Challenge course is approximately six miles long and includes more than 20 natural and challenging human-made obstacles and tough terrain. The course takes participants into the Black Creek Gorge and up close and personal with Noccalula Falls. It is considered one of the south’s most scenic obstacle course race. The festival area and start/finish lines will be by the waterfall area and not on the traditional battlefield. New this year is the Barbarian Challenge Grand Prize Giveaway, sponsored by Greater Gadsden Area Tourism, Noccalula Falls Park and Downtown Gadsden, Inc. “To encourage people to book lodging in Etowah County and make a weekend of it, we are giving them some incentive,” says Tina Morrison, executive director for Greater Gadsden Area Tourism. “Registrants who show their Etowah County lodging receipt at check-in this year will be entered into the Barbarian Challenge Grand Prize Giveaway for 2025.” The grand prize consists of free entry into the 2025 Barbarian Challenge donated by Noccalula Falls Park, a two night stay donated by Greater Gadsden Area Tourism and River Rocks Landing and a $200 gift certificate to spend in downtown Gadsden donated by Downtown Gadsden, Inc. Race or “horde” times are at 8:00 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. for competitors and 9:00 a.m., 9:30 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. and for non-competitors. All finishers receive a Barbarian medal. The overall female and male winners from the 8:00 a.m. horde will receive a custom Barbarian battle ax. The awards ceremony will start at approximately noon and there will be food, drink and beer vendors during the event. The Barbarian Challenge is for those 13 years old and older. Anyone under the age of 15 must have a parent or guardian present to sign a consent waiver and run with them. The smallest barbarians can participate in the Kid’s Barbarian Challenge competition, sponsored by The Factory Gadsden, from 8 to 11 a.m. The race is open to kids 5 to 12 years old and is approximately .6 miles and includes mud. Finishers will receive a medal, t-shirt and goody bag. Registration is available on race day (t-shirts may or may not be available at this time). Participants must show up an hour before desired horde time to register on race day. Packet pick up and race day registration will be in the Kiwanis Pavilion. Registration fees are as follows: A packet pick-up party will be held Friday, June 14th from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Kiwanis Pavilion at Noccalula Falls Park. Barbarian Challenge and Kid’s Barbarian Challenge participants can pick up their race packets and visit with other competitors. Held at Noccalula Falls Park, located at 1500 Noccalula Road in Gadsden, the Barbarian Challenge is organized and staged by the City of Gadsden’s Parks and Recreation Department and is presented by Greater Gadsden Area Tourism. Pets are not allowed and the event is held rain or shine. Admission and parking are free to spectators. For more info, visit www.barbarianchallenge.com or call Christina Richardson at 256-549-4663 ext. 3. March 1st – May 15th, 2024 – $60 non-competitive / $70 competitive May 16th – June 12th, 2024 – $75 non-competitive / $85 competitive June 12th – Race Day 2024 – $85 non-competitive / $95 competitive Barbarian Challenge To Be Held at Noccalula Falls
Start Strong Scholarships available for 2024 graduates It’s not too late to score apply is July 1.
awarded a graduating high school senior scholarship may not qualify for additional funds. Students interested in the scholarship should go to www.gadsdenstate. edu/apply and complete the admissions application if they have not done so already. A 2024 Graduating High School Senior Application also must be completed. The application can be found at www.gadsdenstate.edu/ scholarships. Click on the scholarship application button and login using your Gadsden State email and default password. Questions can be directed to scholarships@ gadsdenstate.edu.
a scholarship at Gadsden State. For high school graduates who plan to enroll full-time the college may be able to pay the tuition and fees for six credit hours for Fall 2024 semester and six credit hours for Spring 2025 semester. According to a press release from the college, high school graduates from the Class of 2024 may be eligible for a scholarship to Gadsden State Community College that covers up to 12 hours during the upcoming academic year. The Start Strong Scholarship covers up to six hours of tuition and fees for the 2024 fall semester and six hours for the 2025 spring semester. Deadline to
“Gadsden State is offering an opportunity for graduating seniors to secure essential financial aid as they continue their educational journey,” said Andy Green, dean of Student Services. “Our College aims to alleviate some of the burdens associated with accessing quality education.” The Start Strong Scholarships, which are worth over $2,000, are available to students who will be enrolled full time for both semesters. The scholarship is not limited to those living in the Gadsden State service area and will pay in-state tuition for out- of-state students. Students who have already been
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