Alabama Ledger September 2022

PAGE 3 September 2022 Man Jailed for Breaking and Entering Vehicles

Drug Trafficking Arrest According to Etowah County Sheriff Jonathan Horton, One individual has been arrested on various drug charges. Norman Terry McCloud, age 64, of Gadsden, has been charged with two counts of Drug Trafficking (Opium), one count of Unlawful Distribution of a Controlled Substance (Methamphetamine), one count of Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance (Cocaine), and one count of Felon in Possession of a Firearm. Authorities said that on September 13, 2022 agents with the Etowah County Drug Enforcement Unit executed a search warrant at 1010 Agricola Avenue in Gadsden. The search warrant followed an investigation that was based on drug sales from the residence. During the course of the investigation a quantity of Methamphetamine, Cocaine, Hydrocodone, Lortabs, and a firearm was recovered. McCloud was arrested and transported to the Etowah County Jail on an $50,000 cash bond and also a $30,000 property bond. The Etowah County Drug Enforcement Unit and Sheriff's Office, Gadsden Police, The FBI Safe Streets Task Force and the FBI North Alabama Criminal Enterprise Task Force participated in the case work.

A man has been arrested for unlawfully breaking and entering vehicles. According to a news release from Etowah County Sheriff Jonathon Horton, Anthony Miguel Forrest, age 26, of Gadsden, has been charged with breaking and entering four different vehicles and taking assorted items in the Tillison Bend Community. Forrest was seen by a homeowner in the area of his vehicle around 4 a.m. as the homeowner was about to leave for work. The homeowner was able to confront Forrest shortly after realizing that his vehicle had been broken into and money was taken from his wallet that was inside his vehicle. The homeowner contacted 911 and Glencoe Officers were able to make contact a short time later and hold the individual until county deputies arrived. Later the same day

The senior members of the 2022 Homecoming Court at Plainview are L-R: (Queen) Marisa Hiett, Abby McGee, and Lily Boswell. Photo by Brandon K. Pierce, Alabama Ledger 2022 Senior Homecoming Court Members at Plainview

Anthony Forrest reports came in from three other residents stating that their vehicles had been broken into as well. Forrest was found to be in possession of items from the other vehicles as well. Forrest had been released from Etowah County Jail in August 2022 where he had been placed on probation for breaking and entering vehicles. At the time of the news release Forrest was being held in the Etowah County Jail on a $14,000 bond.

Stalking and Harassment

According to Etowah County Sheriff Jonathan Horton, a woman has been arrested for Stalking 1st and Harassment. Belinda Lynn Jenkins, age 51, of Rainbow City, has been charged with Stalking 1st Degree and Harassment. Jenkins has been allegedly following the victim and his family, showing up to family events, the victim's work,

and even vacations. Jenkins also threatened the victims life, as well as others that the victim might be around. Authorities noted that Jenkins also placed an unknown amount of phone calls and sent text messages to the victim with threats of bodily harm. Jenkins was previously arrested for Violating a Protection Order and stalking of the same victim.

Cornerstone Christian Academy in Rainsville recently held the school's annual homecoming. Representing House of Elisha is Kennon Fortner and Katherine Hensley; Representing the House of Ravenwood is Jack Wagner and Jaelin Monroe, Representing House of Zion is Braxton Clines and Sydnee Griffith, Representing The Potter's House is Jeremy Andrews and Addie Sullivan. Cornerstone Christian Homecoming Photo Courtesy Ann Nelson Photography

Congressman Mike Rogers visits Gadsden State

Congressman Mike Rogers recently visited the Gadsden State’s Ayers Campus, where he learned more about the Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education program. The program is an “earn while you learn” apprenticeship-style program that requires the students to attend classes two days a week while getting hands-on experience in a local advanced manufacturing facility three days a week. Nineteen of the students enrolled in the FAME program met with Rogers along with College administrators, industry partners and FAME faculty and staff. Kelley Pearce, associate dean of Student Services, recalled the process to get the FAME program to the Ayers Campus. It was 2018, and East AlabamaWorks agreed to join Gadsden State in their attempt to get the program started. Soon, Honda Manufacturing of Alabama was interested in becoming a partner. For a year, Pearce and other administrators worked with East AlabamaWorks to get the FAME chapter for Gadsden State approved. “We had some naysayers who didn’t think we could get it done; didn’t think we could get the students,” she said. “The best way to get me to do something is to tell me I can’t.” In 2019, the first cohort of FAME enrolled at Gadsden State. They graduated in 2021. The fourth cohort started at the College this Fall. There are 11 industry partners working with the program. “We have a pattern of getting people involved to help our students, our community and our industrial community,” Pearce said. “There’s a lot of collaboration. FAME is built out of relationships and partnerships. We are thrilled to have such a wonderful program in Calhoun County.” Students who complete the FAME program earn an Associate in Applied Science in Industrial Automation. They also earn five Lean Manufacturing certifications.” “We are training top technicians for our workforce,” said Alan Smith, dean of Workforce Development. “We want them to complete their training and stay in East Alabama to work, but, truthfully, their education can take them wherever they want to go.” During Rogers’s visit, he experienced a safety huddle with the FAME students. During the huddle, students shared their safety commitment and practiced their communication and team-building skills. “Our industries need trained technicians who can do the job but they also need technicians who can communicate and collaborate; technicians who have soft skills and the ability to work in a highly-technical environment,” Smith said.

Submitted Photo

Congressman Mike Rogers recently toured the labs at the Advanced Manufacturing Center on the Ayers Campus of Gadsden State Community College. FAME senior students Luke Devin, left, and Wes Simmons took time to explain how the mechantronics line works. They are joined by Alan Smith, second from right, dean of Workforce Development.

Andy Robertson, coordinator of Workforce Development, reported to Rogers that the FAME Committee, which is comprised of industry partners and key workforce development staff, exceeded all of its recruitment and diversity goals with 30 students selected for the 2022-23 cohort and an increase in diversity by 35 percent. Keri Wood, work-based learning specialist, said prior to committing to FAME, students are taken on tours of manufacturing partners. “A lot of our students did not know what the manufacturing environment would be like,” she said. “They see that it’s not dirty. It’s not hot. It’s safe. They get to see the environment they’re going to work in first-hand.” Michael Gaines, division leader for Honda Manufacturing of Alabama, said he is proud of the partnership the automobile manufacturing company has with Gadsden State. “East Alabama is a manufacturing community, but manufacturing is much different than it used to be,” he said. “It’s advanced. Our products have grown and advanced. We need to expand programs like FAME. In our state, we have dynamic partnerships between government, education

and industry. We are proud of that. We are proud of the FAME program. We just need to grow it.” Kelvin Wright, plant manager at Bridgewater Interiors and past president of the FAME Committee, was among the first businesses to commit to being a FAME partner. He said he has seen the program benefit the students as well as the companies. “They can make $60,000 a year after just two years of college,” he said. “And, they come out of college debt- free. This is a wonderful program, and we still have a lot of demand for the program. Like everyone has said, we need to grow FAME.” Smith told Rogers that 10 companies are interested in being a FAME partner but Gadsden State currently does not have the capacity to train the numbers of students needed to fill the demand. He said Gadsden State needs more classroom and lab space as well as additional instructors. “We are here to support you in achieving your goals,” Rogers said. The congressman concluded his visit with a tour of the Advanced Manufacturing Center located on the Ayers Campus.

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