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🌱 How Donald Bennett’s one-vote win could reshape Marion and Perry County
Marion, Alabama Patch AM: a 4 min readHi Marion! We have the latest buzz right here. Let's keep you in the loop and get this morning started right! ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- How Donald Bennett’s one-vote win could reshape Marion and Perry County
- How a single vote just reshaped Perry County politics in Marion
- Marion-born novelist Gwen Bristow’s path from Judson College to bestseller lists
Today's riddle: What did the carpenter ant say when he walked into the bar? 🤔 (Answer below!)
- Wednesday: Sunny; pleasant, less humid, with a high of 84 and low of 58 degrees.
- Thursday: Pleasant with plenty of sun, temps: high: 84, low: 60.
- Friday: Partly sunny, with a high of 87 and low of 62 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
📰 News we're reading
• Newly elected Perry County commissioner discusses priorities for first 100 days (wsfa.com) — Marion residents will soon see new leadership as Donald Bennett, certified winner of the Perry County Commission District 1 race by a single vote, outlines his first 100 days. The Marion businessman plans to focus on infrastructure, downtown redevelopment, tourism, and business recruitment, while emphasizing unity after the tight election and continuing work tied to Judson College’s former campus and the Perry County Airport. 
• Perry County probate judge rejects Turner's challenge after one-vote commission race (wsfa.com) — A razor-thin Perry County Commission race based in Marion has been upheld after Probate Judge Carlton Hogue rejected Commissioner Albert Turner’s challenge to a one-vote loss. Hogue says the recount request was late and all lawful ballots were counted, while Turner disputes the deadline and claims the race is actually tied. Turner now plans to appeal to the Alabama Democratic Party’s State Executive Committee.
• 'B' is for Bristow, Gwen (1903-1980) (southcarolinapublicradio.org) — Longtime novelist Gwen Bristow was born in Marion and graduated from Judson College before launching a journalism and fiction career that took her to New Orleans and California. Her historical novels, including the bestseller “Deep Summer,” earned wide praise for vivid settings, strong characters, and emotional sincerity, ultimately selling millions of copies.
📸 Around Marion
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📣 Marion Shout Outs!
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🗓 Events Nearby
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Office Open
Calera High Calera, AL 35040
8:00 am -
FREEPLAY — Chilton Clanton Public Library →
Chilton/Clanton Public Library, 100 1st Ave, Clanton
10:00 am -
Community Knit/Crochet Group →
Tuscaloosa Public Library, 1801 Jack Warner Pkwy, Tuscaloosa
11:00 am -
Board Work Session
Chilton County Clanton, AL 35045
1:00 pm -
Clanton City Council Work Session →
Clanton, AL Calendar, 505 2nd Avenue North, Clanton
4:30 pm -
Central Office Closed
Chilton County Clanton, AL 35045 -
Teeny Tiny Time at Albert L Scott Library →
Albert L. Scott Library, 100 9th St NW, Alabaster
10:00 am -
JAN THE SCIENCE LADY — Chilton Clanton Public Library →
Chilton/Clanton Public Library, 100 1st Ave, Clanton
2:00 pm -
Live at the Plaza →
Government Plaza, 618 Almon Ave, Tuscaloosa
6:00 pm -
Marvel City Caribbean Food and Music Festival →
DeBardeleben Park, 1623 2nd Ave N, Bessemer
11:00 am -
Your Story, Your Voice, Memoir Workshop →
Tuscaloosa Public Library, 1801 Jack Warner Pkwy, Tuscaloosa
2:00 pm -
Alabaster Cityfest 2026 →
Thompson High School, 1921 Warrior Pkwy, Alabaster
7:00 pm
Wednesday June 3
Thursday June 4
Friday June 5
Saturday June 6
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
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💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Cluster of Storms Moving Through The State Today
https://ema.alabama.gov/14561/cluster-of-storms-moving-through-the-state-today/ (Nextdoor ) - 2026 Hurricane Season Outlook and Long-Range Forecast for Alabama
https://ema.alabama.gov/14546/2026-hurricane-season-outlook-and-long-range-forecast-for-alabama/?fbclid… (Nextdoor )
- Allied Universal Security posted a job opening for Surveillance Investigator in Selma. Apply here.
- Tractor Supply posted a job opening for Merchandising Sales Associate in Selma. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Marion here.
🗞 Nearby News
Selma
- What not to miss in Selma, Alabama, according to a local artist (atlantamagazine.com)
- Selma partners with GCU to boost workforce (selmatimesjournal.com)
- Softball recap for 2026 season (selmatimesjournal.com)
Demopolis
- ALEA releases report for Memorial Day, urges safety (blackbeltnewsnetwork.com)
Ok Marion! 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: Is the bar tender here? (Thank you W. M. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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