Niche names MMI state’s top community college 
Marion Military Institute has been ranked the number one community college in Alabama in Niche.com’s 2026 Best Colleges rankings, and placed 11th among all community colleges in the United States. Niche, a Pittsburgh-based platform used by more than 70 million people annually, bases its rankings on federal data from the U.S. Department of Education and... Read More
Muckle’s Ridge Festival will return to Marion May 2, vendor signups open
The Muckle’s Ridge Festival is returning to the Perry County Courthouse Square in historic downtown Marion on May 2 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The family-friendly festival, which has not been held in more than a decade, will feature live music on the courthouse steps and a food truck row. Car clubs, motorcycle clubs and musicians are also being invited to participate. Vendor and food... Read More
Perry leads Alabama in gas prices, and the gap is growing
Motorists in Perry County are paying more at the pump than anywhere else in Alabama, a pattern that has persisted for months and widened sharply in recent weeks as a surge in global oil prices drives up costs statewide. According to AAA data, Perry County’s average price for regular unleaded stood at $3.40 per gallon... Read More
Johnny Earl Bennett
Johnny Earl Bennett, 72, passed away peacefully on March 11, 2026, at his granddaughter’s home, with his wife by his side. Johnny was born July 19, 1953, in Perry County, to William Glenwood and Emma Bell Bennett. He spent his life as a hardworking man who took pride in providing for his family. He worked... Read More
Perry organization receives $370,875 grant for business incubator
A Perry County organization has been awarded a $370,875 grant through the Innovate Alabama Network program to establish the Harris Business Incubator, a small business development facility planned for downtown Marion. The incubator will be located adjacent to the Harris Technology Hub at 401 Washington Street and is intended to provide entrepreneurs with co-working and... Read More
Marion installs new pump at water treatment station
The City of Marion Water Department installed a new high service pump at the city’s Water Treatment Plant this week, requiring a brief shutdown of water service while the work was completed. The city notified residents in advance that water would be cut off between 3:30 and 4:00 p.m. on the day of installation. The... Read More
Sewell hosting grants workshop this Friday, March 20, in Tuscaloosa
U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell is hosting a 2026 Grants Workshop on Friday, March 20, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the New Heights Community Resource Center, Children’s Center & STARS Academy Gymnasium, located at 3834 21st Street, Tuscaloosa. The workshop, themed “Funding Beyond Federal: Building Grant Ecosystems,” is aimed at local officials, nonprofit leaders,... Read More
Meeting on septic tank program is March 25 in North Perry
Black Belt Women Rising will hold a septic tank interest meeting on March 25 at 6 p.m. at the North Perry Fire Department, County Road 29, Marion. The organization is accepting applications for free septic tanks for residents of unincorporated Perry County. Households earning less than $100,000 per year are eligible for the program. For... Read More
Council considered water contracts, garbage truck purchase at postponed Wednesday meeting
The Marion City Council met Wednesday evening with a full plate of spending decisions, including a proposed garbage truck purchase approaching a quarter-million dollars and a pair of water system infrastructure contracts totaling more than $316,000. The meeting, originally scheduled for Monday, was pushed to Wednesday, March 18, which was too late for coverage of... Read More
Rail trail project feasibility study on track for April completion
A feasibility study examining the potential for a multi-use rail trail connecting Selma, Marion, Greensboro, and Newbern is on track for completion by April, with a public consultation phase planned for May. The study is part of Sweet Trails Alabama, a broader initiative to develop recreational trail infrastructure across the state. The Marion leg of the project has been organized through Main... Read More