Skip to main content

Nearby Communities

State Edition

National Edition

Stay in the loop with what's happening in Bessemer

Never miss out on local news and events that matter to you.

🌱 What mold and hot buses mean for Bessemer students this fall

Bessemer, Alabama Patch AM: a 4 min read

Good day Bessemer! We're here again with what you need to know today. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • What mold and hot buses mean for Bessemer students this fall
  • Why Bessemer’s mayor refuses to hand over the keys Monday
  • Ready for FearFest nights at Alabama Adventure in Bessemer?

Also on today's calendar: Southern Soul Extravaganza and 6 more events.

Today's riddle: What has a cap but no head? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Saturday: Showers and a heavier t-storm, with a high of 87 and low of 72 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
  • Sunday: A shower and thunderstorm, temps: high: 76, low: 69.
  • Monday: Humid with periods of sun, with a high of 85 and low of 63 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Staff, families unite to close moldy school in Alabama (aft.org) — Families in Bessemer have seen J.S. Abrams Elementary closed indefinitely again after recurring mold and building problems, forcing students and staff to relocate to other city schools. Union leaders also won a commitment to install air conditioning on every school bus in the Jefferson County district, but they say Bessemer City Schools still lack transparency and owe the community clear answers.
   

2. ‘I'll be here bright and early Monday': Bessemer Mayor Kenneth Gulley refuses to vacate office early, citing 2010 ordinance (wbrc.com) — Bessemer residents face uncertainty at City Hall as Mayor Kenneth Gulley says he will stay in office through November, citing a 2010 ordinance, despite state code suggesting Mayor‑elect Louise Alexander could take over Monday. The dispute also affects Gulley’s ability to qualify for city retirement benefits after nearly 16 years of service, and Alexander has not yet publicly outlined her plans.
   

3. 42 October 2026 events in Birmingham: Magic City Classic, Furnace Fest + more (bhamnow.com) — Bessemer residents can dive into spooky fun close to home with FearFest: Halloween After Dark at Alabama Adventure, running October 3 through November 1 with haunted houses, trails and rides. The broader guide also spotlights dozens of October events across the Birmingham metro—from festivals and concerts to charity runs and museum exhibits—offering plenty of options for quick trips beyond Bessemer.
   

4. 14 Jefferson County restaurants fail health inspections in September (wbrc.com) — Two Bessemer food retailers, Walmart Deli on Academy Drive and 9th Avenue Market, recently failed Jefferson County health inspections with scores of 80 and 84, citing issues like unsafe food temperatures and grime in ice machines. They’re among 14 Jefferson County establishments scoring below 85 in September, all of which must pass follow-up inspections within 60 days to regain satisfactory status.
   

5. West Alabama High School Football Scores: Week 6 (praise933.com) — Bessemer football fans saw the Bessemer City Tigers notch a 36–17 home win over the Central Falcons, led by standout Vernon Slaughter. The roundup also highlights big victories and tough losses for other West Alabama high school teams, giving local readers a quick look at how neighboring programs are faring midway through the season.
   

📸 Around Bessemer

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

🗓 Upcoming Events in Bessemer

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

📣 Bessemer Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

🗓 Events Nearby

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Does anyone use Verizon home internet?
    I currently have AT&T fiber, which has been great, up until the last month. I have had several outages including today. I don’t know the reason, but… (Nextdoor Shannon/Ross Bridge)
  • Arby's posted a job opening for Team Member in Bessemer. Apply here.
  • Wendy's posted a job opening for Shift Manager in Bessemer. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Bessemer here.

Ok Bessemer! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: "What has a cap but no head?" — A bottle (Thank you Glo M. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

👉 Help make Patch AM better

We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what’s happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.

Share to NextDoor     Share to Facebook

Stay in the loop with what's happening in Bessemer

Never miss out on local news and events that matter to you.

Stay in the loop with what's happening in Bessemer

Never miss out on local news and events that matter to you.