Editor’s note: Every day this week, the Times-Journal will look back on some of the top stories of 2015. Here’s the Year in Review for January and February.

Four arrested protesting shooting

Four individuals, including activist Rose Sanders, were arrested Jan. 7 for stopping traffic on the Edmund Pettus Bridge. A group of about a dozen convened on the bridge to protest the December 2013 shooting of 74-year-old Ananias Shaw and other police shootings across the country.

Police were aware the event, which was publicized on a Facebook page, would take place. The four were charged with misdemeanor disorderly conduct and posted bail a short time later.

“Selma” opens at Walton Theater

The movie “Selma” opened nationwide Friday, Jan. 9, including in the city where it all started.

Hundreds of people came out to the Walton Theater to see the film. Some who were extras in the film even looked up at themselves on the big screen.

Thousands come out for stars

The Queen City shined in the national spotlight Sunday, Jan. 18 as thousands of people welcomed the cast and the crew of the movie “Selma” to town and marched on the same bridge that changed history.

The film’s producer Oprah Winfrey and director Ava DuVernay as well as stars David Oyelowo, Common and John Legend were all in Selma on Martin Luther King Jr. weekend.

The day culminated in a concert on the Edmund Pettus Bridge, where Legend and Common sung their Academy and Grammy award winning song “Glory.”

Boynton attends State of the Union

Amelia Boynton Robinson, one of Selma’s most respected civil rights leaders, briefly shared the spotlight with President Barack Obama at this State of the Union address Jan. 20.

Cameras momentarily focused on the 103-year-old activist, who took part in the 1965 Bloody Sunday march on the Edmund Pettus Bridge.

Selma native and U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell invited Boynton Robinson as her guest to hear the speech.

Coach charged with sex crime

Ellwood Christian Academy head football coach Eric Martinear was charged with engaging in a sex act with a student under the age of 19.

Martinear was arrested Feb. 5 after officers received a report from DHR regarding an investigation they were conducting concerning a 17-year-old female being involved in a relationship with the first-year coach.

First dirt moved at Grow Selma garden

The first ground was moved Feb. 7 at what will become the Mill Village Community Garden and Food Park.

The garden is the dream of Grow Selma. Later in the summer and fall, volunteers harvested several vegetables that were used in October’s Farm to Feast banquet.

Marriage licenses issued to same sex couples

The Dallas County Probate Office started issuing marriage licenses to same sex couples Feb. 9.

Despite being personally opposed to same sex marriage, Probate Judge Kim Ballard said his office would comply with a federal judge’s order and issue licenses to all couples.

Ballard also stopped officiating any marriages after the decision.

After the summer’s U.S. Supreme Court ruling, most counties were granting licenses to all couples, but a few have stopped issuing licenses all together.