Etowah County News

Authorities in eastern Alabama say a man who escaped the Etowah County Detention Center has been recaptured.

Justin Wade Hopkins, 30, of Collinsville, escaped from the jail shortly after 4 a.m. He was last seen running toward Tuscaloosa Avenue in Gadsden.

Heather New, president of the Chamber of Gadsden/Etowah County, said tickets are available at www.gadsdenriverfest.com . This is the first year the chamber has attempted online sales.

The Etowah County Sheriff's Office is offering another citizen's firearms course, the latest in a series for local residents.

James Taylor Wilder, 30, was arrested last Thursday. He is out of the Etowah County Detention Center on $5,000 bond.

Inmates from the jail are taking part in the " Renew Our Rivers " cleanup this week, and today concentrated on areas near Whorton Bend.

Randy Cornelius had just finished the 50 yard dash and was waiting to get his first place ribbon, when he saw one of the men he had just beaten.

The fact that it was a workday didn't stop fisherman from lining the banks of the Coosa River along Alabama 77 Monday, enjoying the warm morning and sights of Neely Henry Lake.

Volunteers for the annual "Renew Our Rivers" campaign can pick up their collection supplies Thursday as the annual conservation campaign kicks off next week.