Community Corner
🌱 Why so many emergency vehicles will be at Rogers School Wednesday
Also, don't miss AL - Shoals Antique Tractor and Engine Show on the Florence Patch calendar
Hey there, Florence! Let's get started with what's happening in and around town. Read on and stay in the loop. ☀️
Hosting an event in Florence? Let Patch get the word out for you. Post it to the Patch calendar.
In today's newsletter:
- Why so many emergency vehicles will be at Rogers School Wednesday
- Planning a Shoals trip? See why Florence belongs on the itinerary
- Why Florence ranks among the South's best affordable hometowns for 2026.
Also on today's calendar: Free Bra Fittings to Support Breast Cancer Awareness and 9 more events.
Today's riddle: What do you call a one-legged Big Foot? 🤔 (Answer below!)
- Tuesday: Sunny and very warm, with a high of 88 and low of 54 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
- Wednesday: Partly sunny and hot, temps: high: 92, low: 66.
- Thursday: An afternoon t-storm; hot, with a high of 92 and low of 69 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Large emergency response expected at Rogers School for active shooter training exercise (rocketcitynow.com) — Rogers School in Florence will host a large active-shooter training exercise on Wednesday, Sept. 30, bringing a heavy presence of law enforcement and emergency vehicles to campus. Officials stress there is no active threat, and no students will be present because it's a teacher workday. The drill helps Florence-Lauderdale agencies and school staff practice coordinated emergency responses. 
2. Where Music Found Its Soul (leisuregrouptravel.com) — Florence gets a starring role in this suggested Muscle Shoals group itinerary, with visitors encouraged to dine downtown and tour the Frank Lloyd Wright–designed Rosenbaum House. The piece outlines how tour groups can pair Florence with FAME Studios, Muscle Shoals Sound Studio, and Alabama Blues Trail stops. It positions the Shoals as a compact but rich music and culture destination.
3. 10 Best Places To Call Home In The Southern United States In 2026 (worldatlas.com) — Florence earns a spot among the South's best places to live in 2026, praised for its Tennessee River setting, River Heritage Trail, and nearby Shoal Creek Preserve. The article notes downtown's lively music and dining scene and emphasizes that Florence's home prices and overall cost of living sit well below state and national averages, appealing to budget-conscious residents and newcomers.
4. North Alabama HS volleyball: Week 6 top teams, players highlighted (al.com) — Florence-area fans can celebrate Central-Florence's volleyball squad, which has ripped off eight straight wins and climbed to No. 3 in Class 3A behind star hitter Ta'Maya Coman's 2,000th career kill. The roundup also spotlights other top North Alabama teams and standout players, giving local readers a sense of how area programs stack up statewide.
5. Sweet Home Harmony: Alabama's Rich History of Vocal Legends (gulfshoresnews.com) — Florence gets a proud shout-out here as the birthplace of W.C. Handy and a northern anchor of Alabama's music legacy alongside the Muscle Shoals studios. The story walks through Alabama's deep bench of influential singers and bands, from early blues and soul pioneers to today's country and Americana stars, showing how the state still shapes American music.
📸 Around Florence
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 Florence
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
- AL - Shoals Antique Tractor and Engine Show →
Shoals Antique Tractor, 83 St Florian Road, Florence
Friday October 2
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- Open Play Court A
YMCA of the Shoals, 2121 Helton Drive, Florence
5:00 am - Muscle Works (Emilie)
YMCA of the Shoals, 2121 Helton Drive, Florence
5:15 am - All 6 Lanes Available
YMCA of the Shoals, 2121 Helton Drive, Florence
5:30 am - Body Pump (Christy)
YMCA of the Shoals, 2121 Helton Drive, Florence
8:10 am - Step & Strength (Angela V.)
YMCA of the Shoals, 2121 Helton Drive, Florence
8:15 am - Joints in Motion (8:30am)
YMCA of the Shoals, 2121 Helton Drive, Florence
8:30 am - HIIT Cycle (Lauren)
YMCA of the Shoals, 2121 Helton Drive, Florence
9:10 am - Water Workout
YMCA of the Shoals, 2121 Helton Drive, Florence
9:15 am - Pickleball (Courts A&B)
YMCA of the Shoals, 2121 Helton Drive, Florence
10:00 am - Muscle Works (Angela D.)
YMCA of the Shoals, 2121 Helton Drive, Florence
10:10 am - Free Bra Fittings to Support Breast Cancer Awareness →
Dillard's, 301 Cox Creek Pkwy, Florence
10:00 am
Thursday October 1
Thursday October 15
📣 Florence Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- There is a lil white n black cat that has come up at my apartment building!
It sends very friendly n has a home some where cause it will let me pet it! It has a bobtail too if anyone knows of its owner! Just hate to say… (Nextdoor Rose Park) - Give me a call for any fence sealing/painting/staining, new construction fences, barbed wire, wood privacy, chain link, any and all repairs.
Small or big job we will handle them all. 256-627-6816 decks, porches etc (Nextdoor Darby Drive)
- Chick-fil-A posted a job opening for Back of House Team Member in Florence. Apply here.
- Panera posted a job opening for Restaurant Team Member in Florence. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Florence here.
Ok Florence! 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: Hop Squatch! (Thank you Terri R. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
👉 Help make Patch AM better
- Help us grow by suggesting local news sources.
- Shape this newsletter with your feedback.
- List items for sale or services offered
We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what's happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.