[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6083699,"mediaKeyId","2928090-e6dac1156cf8863272c306c74da4cfcb","parentId",2928090,"title","Gadsden City Schools announce STEM Fest, honor Special Olympics teams at council meeting","audioSeconds",840,"startMs",388000,"endMs",1228000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2928090-e6dac1156cf8863272c306c74da4cfcb&start=388&end=1228","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2928090-e6dac1156cf8863272c306c74da4cfcb/thumbnail_388000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6083699/Gadsden-City/Etowah-County/Alabama/Gadsden-City-Schools-announce-STEM-Fest-honor-Special-Olympics-teams-at-council-meeting","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6083699-350392e83d46782a387be67eae55abd8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771151883&Signature=e79D8w2rK99FyCQuH6F5l4MZK2g058W8AY-IC8gmUbRb-B1j7Su413xLxKOrhRXlMtbZPPZGcU-lngvMxmw3MnhbHWbyNc-vyhYs2lb~ECZd0HWc1XxHYaiHCErwL6hgtFpeDI~ze753ffapuNypYvKJqJy~8nVviGm2bJXGqvTvh36dU0MBroUETatR9~lZ49G-qKjTbh7bWsJYCz8mLMW9tO4ZRogz6GTdf66AW26s3qHXu5bS3n7z4-Xfdce7GufbJmAExrvPMBXE7YqSpFxQtfO8wcFMBd8SjWegvBl84Kjy-uam0~ODgqLl59mrLALrZ1bleEpkAUIyDnnE0w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Gadsden City, AL","date","2025-04-08T22:20:41Z","article","Representatives of Gadsden City Schools addressed the Gadsden City Council to invite residents to a STEM Fest event and to recognize the Gadsden City High School Special Olympics teams.

Janie Browning, speaking on behalf of Gadsden City Schools’ after‑school programs, invited residents to the district’s second STEM Fest on May 3 at the East Gadsden Community Center. Browning said the event will offer hands-on activities for families at no cost, that last year’s event drew more than 300 participants, and that the school system is partnering with the National AfterSchool Alliance and the Flying Classroom program for exhibits. She said two $1,000 scholarships will be awarded to seniors who register through the after‑school program; that program partner Jerome McQueen and his Acoustemics initiative are contributing the scholarship funding.

When asked to explain the meaning of the acronym, Browning said, “Science, technology, engineering, and math,” and she told council members STEM programming aims to open career pathways that do not always require a four‑year degree.

Council members also recognized Gadsden City High School’s Special Olympics teams. Coach Lowry (34 years in the program) and Emily Day, the school’s special education specialist, described a newly formed unified cheer squad that competed at the state Special Olympics and earned a gold medal. The high school basketball team competed in the state-level competition and won a silver medal in its division; the program also fields athletes in swimming and track and field and will send 15 athletes to the state Special Olympics swim meet in Troy in May.

Principal Joel Gulledge and board representative Sharon Maness thanked city leaders and staff for their support of Special Olympics and the school district. Council members presented challenge coins and city apparel to the athletes and coaches; Mayor Craig Ford was not present at the meeting because he was performing National Guard duties.

School leaders emphasized that Special Olympics participation builds students’ leadership, health and self‑esteem, and noted partnerships with Auburn University’s Eagles program for Gadsden students transitioning to post‑secondary opportunities.

The council heard both the STEM Fest invitation and the Special Olympics recognition during the proclamations and commendations portion of the agenda; no formal council action was required.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Gadsden City Council meeting 2025-04-08","oneSentenceSummary","School officials invited the council to STEM Fest on May 3, described scholarship and after-school partnerships, and Gadsden City High School Special Olympics basketball and cheer teams were recognized for state competition results.","taxTitle","Gadsden City, Etowah County, Alabama","taxId",53910,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6083704,"Gadsden Public Library reports record use, launches vending kiosks and previews May golf fundraiser",306,2229000,2535000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2928090-e6dac1156cf8863272c306c74da4cfcb&start=2229&end=2535","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2928090-e6dac1156cf8863272c306c74da4cfcb/thumbnail_2229000.jpg","/articles/6083704/Gadsden-City/Etowah-County/Alabama/Gadsden-Public-Library-reports-record-use-launches-vending-kiosks-and-previews-May-golf-fundraiser","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6083704-dc54d33f9386ed776f1abbf1880f4a7d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771151883&Signature=D6FPSOybu8VwSlVhnYInjCsswdhQGOZ6lDhoViY3EJ7Sb~Mml6XMJxjCuH4W3LY00-AC2RRTLdXuQ3G4zQsTF2c2mC8rWcFvhzXmUf7xhLFmL7tH9GW1qg233uYIwfU~bYsyDbrn83eDwj~-x7UuagFVlKsHWC~SyAbwy6vXDCriGoXCRLMBb192MGmhdjanh80oZz1gXdLyv8qGF9h37RMla3rrqclPpalI21NB2FGhEaObDU6muZKyJXBx1KCzK4oZCBfcY4HgWf9csklG6YgLi3BW42NmDjV4gKwm2u4tZSVYSpFyq1v0kOcKf3IHkqyn-3jQYgty~vamRafl6Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Craig Scott, director of the Gadsden Public Library, briefed the Gadsden City Council on the library’s 2024 activity and programs during National Library Week.

Scott told the council the library reported 22,803 registered cardholders and roughly 114,891 visitors for 2024, an increase from the prior year. He highlighted 2,612 volunteer hours recorded by the library’s “Friends” volunteer group, and he credited staff and community volunteers for supporting programs across children’s, teen and adult services.

Scott said the library installed two “LibCabinet” vending kiosks last October to expand access in the East Gadsden and Carver communities. He told council members the machines had a communications issue with the library’s integrated system that was resolved late the prior week; once active, patrons with a library card will be able to check out items. Scott said each kiosk holds about 150–160 items and includes children’s, teen and adult materials.

Scott also said he is the current president of the Alabama Library Association and that he will hand the statewide association’s gavel to James Galbreath of UAB at the statewide convention. He invited council members to the library’s golf outing fundraiser on May 9 at Twin Bridges and noted the library is partnering with Darden Rehab this summer to supply additional volunteers for the busy June–July summer reading period.

Council members asked for a zip-code breakdown of registered patrons; Scott said the library can report that data and noted a recent estimate that roughly 60% of cardholders live inside Gadsden and 40% live elsewhere in Etowah County.

Scott’s written “scorecard” for the council emphasized the library’s role as a community hub, including increased in-person visits, volunteer engagement and outreach programs.","Library Director Craig Scott told the council the Gadsden Public Library had 22,803 registered cardholders and about 114,891 visitors in 2024, described new ‘LibCabinet’ vending kiosks recently brought online and announced the library’s annual golf fundraiser for May 9.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6083709,"Gadsden City Council adopts liquor license, three budget and property resolutions",218,1838000,2056000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2928090-e6dac1156cf8863272c306c74da4cfcb&start=1838&end=2056","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2928090-e6dac1156cf8863272c306c74da4cfcb/thumbnail_1838000.jpg","/articles/6083709/Gadsden-City/Etowah-County/Alabama/Gadsden-City-Council-adopts-liquor-license-three-budget-and-property-resolutions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6083709-f431da9ea63db09ecd2851db3921e7d1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771151883&Signature=Nu3WVurrki9Tzke0-mYs6J9vXfD86nyBeaiNQBC-lGam1IkxZeDh-LNIkSMWD~NEzeK0g3eQ0OVQqr0uFGFPr7rfBBNlWsPR3n298WRc9JQjzbxcMZdGTvJZjkuMjZSGaZTgZY0Ff3gSgVl8FKdGEWJk10q8-IwxC1-TaR3GmxfM7VcvSUQPmtXWhsWNUMJ9PXy5sX8LHi3rKz52FqOr~xV9tsL9zNv4TdhljYsTaKf~gxJHQCIP7xN~smiCLGLe2V0fXASFSxWaBfrKLWf2SS-RxejSn7dQSrpDGfAQIPrvpHBH9bEZlqExz9EEbrVcobaqIPEwNFOCeVRZLmBPCQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Gadsden City Council voted unanimously on a series of resolutions Tuesday, approving a lounge retail liquor license for Quickity Split Liquor Mart, adopting appointments to a local development authority, authorizing two construction change orders tied to capital projects and authorizing the purchase of property on Irby Boulevard.

The council adopted a resolution to grant a class 2 package store liquor license to Quickity Split Liquor Mart LLC, doing business as Quickity Split Liquor Store, at 1401 East Broad Street, Suite A in District 2. There were no speakers for or against the application during the public hearing and the resolution carried on voice vote.

Council members also approved a resolution appointing Jason Wilson, Gil Isbell and Bethanne Mashburn to the Gadsden Commercial Development Authority with terms expiring April 30, 2028. The motion to adopt carried with one recorded abstention.

Under new business, Councilman Brandon Robinson (introducing items for the engineering and legal departments) moved and the council approved three additional resolutions by voice vote. The council adopted change order No. 1 with Boettner Construction for the Fire Station No. 5 project (resolution 2025-378), and adopted change order No. 1 with Bob Smith Construction Company for work related to Noccalula Falls (resolution 2025-374). The latter vote included one abstention. The council also adopted a resolution authorizing the purchase of a property at 107 Irby Boulevard (resolution 2025-377); council members said the parcel sits between two city-owned properties across from the falls and that the acquisition would allow future coordinated work.

Clerk Ivan Nelson recorded voice votes for each motion; when recorded tallies were given the meeting transcript reports unanimous ayes except where an abstention was noted. None of the adopted resolutions included a recorded roll-call tally with named yes/no votes in the meeting transcript.

The actions were described as straight approvals; council members did not add conditions or direct additional study during the votes. Councilman Robinson identified the funding source for the two construction items as the fiscal-year 2025 capital projects account, and the property purchase was described as an opportunity to consolidate ownership of adjacent parcels, but the meeting transcript did not record a purchase price.

Votes at a glance
- Resolution approving lounge retail liquor license, Quickity Split Liquor Mart, 1401 E. Broad St., Suite A (District 2) — adopted by voice vote.
- Resolution appointing members to Gadsden Commercial Development Authority (Jason Wilson, Gil Isbell, Bethanne Mashburn), terms to 04/30/2028 — adopted; one abstention recorded.
- Resolution authorizing Change Order No. 1 with Boettner Construction for Fire Station No. 5 (2025-378) — adopted by voice vote.
- Resolution authorizing Change Order No. 1 with Bob Smith Construction Company for work at Noccalula Falls (2025-374) — adopted; one abstention recorded.
- Resolution authorizing purchase of property at 107 Irby Boulevard (2025-377) — adopted by voice vote.

City staff identified the capital projects account as the funding source for the construction change orders. The meeting transcript did not include the dollar amounts for the change orders or the purchase price for the Irby Boulevard parcel.","At its regular meeting the Gadsden City Council approved a new package liquor license, appointed members to the Gadsden Commercial Development Authority, authorized two construction change orders tied to capital projects and authorized purchase of a small parcel on Irby Boulevard.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Gadsden City Schools announce STEM Fest, honor Special Olympics teams at council meeting

Gadsden Public Library reports record use, launches vending kiosks and previews May golf fundraiser

Gadsden City Council adopts liquor license, three budget and property resolutions