🌱 How will 2026 county road work change your drive around Marion?

Good morning Marion! We're back again in your inbox, keeping you updated with what's happening in and around town. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• How will 2026 county road work change your drive around Marion?
• What did Marion’s hometown Guard battalion face during nine months overseas?

Also on today's calendar: Norbert Leo Butz and 3 more events.

Today's riddle: What did one tuna say to the other after getting caught stealing files from work? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Thursday: Mostly cloudy and chilly, with a high of 39 and low of 35 degrees.
• Friday: Low clouds, temps: high: 44, low: 22.
• Saturday: Very cold with low clouds, with a high of 30 and low of 8 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!

📰 News we're reading

• County advances major road projects for 2026 (bnd.com) — Williamson County commissioners in Marion have approved major 2026 road and trail projects, including resurfacing Skyline Drive and upgrading the Wolf Creek overpass area near Carterville. They also advanced removal of an aging mine-era bridge on Nixville Road and reviewed construction progress on the new county animal control facility, while beginning long-term planning for county-owned buildings around the courthouse.
   

• Illinois Army National Guard Soldiers return from overseas deployment (statenews.net) — Soldiers from the Illinois Army National Guard’s 2nd Battalion, 130th Infantry Regiment, headquartered in Marion, are returning home after a nine‑month deployment across the Middle East. About 265 troops were welcomed back in ceremonies this week, with more to follow, after completing demanding security missions that earned numerous combat awards and international training credentials.
   

📸 Around Marion

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 Marion

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Friday December 12

• Boys Basketball (JV-V): Marion
  Marion High School, 1700 Wildcat Rd, Marion
  6:00 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Friday December 12

• Norbert Leo Butz
  Marion Cultural and Civic Center , 800 Tower Square Plaza , Marion
  7:00 pm

Saturday December 13

• Season's Beatings - A Roller Derby Scrimmage
  The Pavilion , 1602 Sioux Dr , Marion
  5:00 pm
• Newsong Christmas - ChildFund Volunteers - Marion, IL
  Marion Cultural and Civic Center , 800 Tower Square Plaza , Marion
  5:30 pm
• Colton Dixon
  Marion Cultural and Civic Center , 800 Tower Square Plaza , Marion
  7:00 pm
• NewSong’s Very Merry Christmas Tour
  Marion Cultural and Civic Center , 800 Tower Square Plaza , Marion
  7:00 pm

📣 Marion Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

Thursday December 11

• Bowling-V Boys @ Marion High School (Game)
  Marion High School Away - MARION HIGH SCHOOL
  4:00 pm
• Bowling-V Girls @ Marion High School (Game)
  Marion High School Away - MARION HIGH SCHOOL
  4:00 pm
• HERRIN: Healthy Horizons Program — Healthy Southern Illinois Delta Network
  SIH Herrin Hospital , 201 S 14th St , Herrin
  4:30 pm
• TIME TBD- Basketball-JH Boys @ Pinckneyville Middle School (Game)
  Pinckneyville Middle School Away -
  5:30 pm
• Basketball-V Girls @ Anna-Jonesboro High School (Game)
  Anna-Jonesboro High School Away - ANNA-JONESBORO HIGH SCHOOL
  6:00 pm
• Tri-C 3rd Grade Holiday Program
  Carterville High School , 1415 W Grand Ave , Carterville
  6:00 pm

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

• Aisin Corporation posted a job opening for Maintenance Stock Cage Attendant- 3rd Shift in Marion. Apply here.
• Drury Hotels Company, LLC posted a job opening for Housekeeper in Marion. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Marion here.

🗞 Nearby News

West Frankfort

• A Focus on History: December 11 through December 17 (thevoice.us)
• 2025 12/12 – Rickey D. West (southernillinoisnow.com)

Carbondale

• SIU's Paul Simon Institute hosts leading diplomat to discuss global challenges (siu.edu)
• 19-year-old to graduate SIU with aviation management degree (siu.edu)
• Carbondale PD: Two juveniles arrested for theft from a motor vehicle (wpsdlocal6.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: I could get canned for this!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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