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Go Fund Me for Orange Beach girl explodes over weekend

By John Mullen

October 22, 2018 – Orange Beach, AL (OBA^®) – A Go Fund Me campaign for an Orange Beach Elementary School kindergartner exploded over the weekend to surge past $19,700. On Oct. 17 it was just shy of $4,000.

The campaign is for Annadelle Faulkner who began complaining with a variety of symptoms in the closing days of September but doctors couldn’t pinpoint the causes. She is the daughter of Neeli and Chris Faulkner of Orange Beach.

“We went to two different urgent cares in Baldwin County and all of them sent us home and said she just had a virus and would get better,” Neeli said. “Monday when she got up and couldn’t walk we decided we’re going to Children’s. The second we walked in the door they knew exactly what was going on with her.”

Message in a bottle carries story of tragedy and hope

Message in a bottle was a tribute to George Gumpert Jr. By John Mullen

October 18, 2018 – Orange Beach, AL – (OBA^®) - It came from the sea and to the sea, it shall return.

Tracy Arnette was taking a walk along Johnson Beach in Perdido Key recently and she saw a bottle washed up on the edge. She had found a message in a bottle that led her to unravel a mystery about its contents and the heart-wrenching story behind it.

The message read: George Gumpert, October 24, 1982 – BETA. And a quote below over a picture of a dock over some water read: What do you do when you realize that the answer you’ve been chasing your whole life is really just the next question?

Tracy found out that message was from a heartbroken George Gumpert whose son, named George also, who had taken his own life in September of 2010 at the age of 28.

Orange Beach, Baldwin rally support for hurricane victims

By John Mullen

October 18, 2018 – Orange Beach, AL - (OBA^®) – Several groups, businesses, churches and governments in Orange Beach, Gulf Shores and around the county are spearheading relief efforts for victims of Hurricane Michael.

While most group are collecting cleaning supplies, hygiene items, first aid kits and pet needs, the City of Orange Beach is planning a special effort for first responders who are also victims of the storm.

Orange Beach to spend $107,000 on recreation complex redesign

By John Mullen

October 17, 2018 – Orange Beach, AL (OBA^®) – Orange Beach is looking to spend about $107,000 to begin a redesign of the recreation complex at the northwest corner of Canal Road and Wilson Boulevard.

“We’re trying to maximize that property to get the most out of it because it’s shrinking fast,” Mayor Tony Kennon said during the Oct. 16 regular council meeting. The council also had a work session after the regular session and discussed how the city will send help to Bay County, Florida in the aftermath of Hurricane Michael.

Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association to land in Gulf Shores Oct. 26-27

Who:	Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA)

What:	Jack Edwards Airport is hosting the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association’s last fly-in for 2018. AOPA’s fly-ins are designed to give AOPA pilots and other aircraft enthusiasts the opportunity to connect with each other, learn more about aircrafts and have fun. This event is open to the public.

Gulf Coast Multi-Chamber Social to gather on the Line

October 11, 2018 – Perdido Key, FL - (OBA^®) - Those who live, work and play in the Gulf Coast may already know how lucky we are to be able to enjoy the most beautiful beaches, friendly community atmospheres and successful business ventures in our area. Being a part of a local Chamber of Commerce allows camaraderie and collaboration to business professionals and community members in the area where we strive to succeed and grow together. The Perdido Key Area Chamber of Commerce hosts a networking social every year to bring together the local Chambers in the area to commend the continuing hard work for our common purpose of promoting successful business along the gulf coast.

Orange Beach City Council meeting set Oct. 16th

October 13, 2018 - Orange Beach, AL - (OBA^®) - The Orange Beach City Council will hold its regular meeting at 5 p.m. Tuesday, October 16th, followed by the Committee of the Whole meeting.

Following are the agendas for the meetings. Please note that the information below may not be the most up-to-date information. For the full and most up-to-date agendas and attachments, go to https://orangebeach.novusagenda.com/agendapublic/.

Gulf Shores remains under Tropical Storm Warning due to advancing Hurricane Michael

October 9, 2018 – Gulf Shores, Ala – (OBA^®) - City of Gulf Shores officials continue to monitor Hurricane Michael as it continues on an eastern track and is forecast to make landfall as a Category 3 major hurricane between Destin and Apalachicola on the Florida Panhandle. Gulf Shores’ residents and visitors are urged to continue to monitor this situation closely and take necessary precautions.

Tropical Storm Force Winds ranging from 39 to 74 mph can be expected as local weather conditions deteriorate rapidly Tuesday evening through Wednesday.

Road closures related to the 47th Annual National Shrimp Festival

October 8, 2018 – Gulf Shores, AL - (OBA^®) - The City of Gulf Shores would like to make all residents and visitors aware of the following road closures and detours related to the 47th Annual National Shrimp Festival.

Tacky Jacks, Beach'N Buggys team up to help vets

Beach'N Buggys rents beach wheelchairs in Orange Beach, Alabama, and Gulf Shores, Alabama. By John Mullen

October 5, 2018 – Orange Beach, AL (OBA®) – Having access to the beach for handicapped vacationers can be a game changer for many potential travelers.

“We have so many people we service and people are changing their vacation plans,” Beach’N Buggys co-owner Marie Palmer said. “They’ve been able to see the beach but they’ve never been able to get onto the beach and it’s absolutely amazing.”

Palmer and her husband Chance Blaker have been in the business of making and selling the buggies with balloon-like tires that can make the beach accessible to more people since about 2010. About a year ago they went into the rental business and have about six in the fleet.

Recently Tacky Jacks restaurants and Beach’N Buggys teamed up to provide U.S. veterans with access to one of their chairs during their beach vacations. The restaurant purchased materials for chair and Blaker built it and painted it in Tacky Jacks’ color scheme. Veterans get a break on the rental fee when they ask for the chair.

Orange Beach taking ‘parallel track’ on ambulance service

Mayor Tony Kennon of Orange Beach, Alabama.

By John Mullen

October 5, 2018 – Orange Beach, AL (OBA®) – Even as MedStar tries to find solutions to problems with response times in Orange Beach the city is going to continue exploring starting an ambulance service if its own.

“We want to start a parallel track,” Mayor Tony Kennon said. “They may bring something that changes or turns all of our heads then that would be wonderful. If not, we’ll move forward with our plan. But we’ll start that parallel track.”

Kennon’s comments came during a joint city council session on Oct. 2 with the regular session first followed by a work session. The council also discussed subsidizing an increase in health insurance for employees coming in 2019.

Skins Game Tournament returns Oct. 7 to Orange Beach Golf Center

October 4, 2018 - Orange Beach, AL - (OBA^®) - The City of Orange Beach Golf Center will hold its first Skins Game Tournament of the 2018-19 fall/winter season on Sunday, October 7th, and then on the first Sunday of each month through April, with a shotgun start at 1 p.m. The public is welcome.

Each player places $5 to a pot for Skins and $2 in a pot for closest-to-the-pin on a designated hole.

Baldwin Pops concert at Library Green in Orange Beach

October 3, 2018 - Orange Beach, AL - (OBA^®) - The Baldwin Pops Band, conducted by Dr. Jason Rinehart, will present "Bernstein, Jazz, and Our Southern Roots" at 4 p.m. Sunday, October 14 at the Library Green in Orange Beach, overlooking Wolf Bay.

City of Orange Beach hosting informational meeting Oct. 22 on proposed Wolf Bay Bridge

Ocetober 2, 2018 - Orange Beach, AL - (OBA^®) - The City of Orange Beach will be hosting a public information meeting for the proposed Wolf Bay Bridge project from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday, October 22nd at the Orange Beach Community Center.

The proposed Wolf Bay Bridge will extend from Alabama 161 to County Road 95 over the Intracoastal Waterway, within the City of Orange Beach.

Orange Beach Middle/High School Update

Sept. 28, 2018: Update from Baldwin County Superintendent Eddie Tyler and staff:

October 1, 2018 - Orange Beach, AL - (OBA^®) - Baldwin County Public Schools Superintendent Eddie Tyler, along with his administrative staff, provided the following information about the new Orange Beach Middle/High School. District 5 Baldwin County School Board member Norma Lynch, who represents Orange Beach, as well as Mayor Tony Kennon and Council member Annette Mitchell share thoughts on the new school as well.

Boo at the Zoo set for Oct 21 in Gulf Shores

Face painting will be one of many fun activities at Boo at the Zoo.

October 1 2018 – Orange Beach, AL – Boo at the Zoo returns on Oct. 21 1-4 pm. Have your little ones don their favorite costumes for a fun time at the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo's Boo at the Zoo. Be wacky and kooky because this celebration is not so spooky.

Dress up as your favorite ghost or goblin, have fun as a kangaroo or monkey, or show up as the best superhero or pumpkin. as our keepers will be walking around with golden tickets looking for costumes that catch their eye. Each ticket may be redeemed in the gift shop for a T-shirt.

Orange Beach City Council Agenda for Oct. 2nd Meeting

October 1, 2018 - Orange Beach, AL - (OBA^®) - The Orange Beach City Council will hold its regular meeting at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 2, followed by the Committee of the Whole meeting.

Senior Center announces October 2018 Excursions and Events

Orange Beach Senior Center September 30, 2018 - Orange Beach, AL - (OBA^®) - The Orange Beach Adult/Senior Activity Center has announced its October 2018 Excursion and Events. Call 251-981-3440 to sign up for any of the events listed below.

October 1 at 6 p.m. - Community Potluck at Orange Beach Community Center”: Bring a Dish to Pass. Speaker: Community Development Director—Kit Alexander. Additional Info: Contact Mike O’Rourke at 251-981-6060.
October 10 at 10 a.m. - Grief Support Group: This group will be led by Community Hospice
October 10 at 10 a.m.: Senior Expo at Robertsdale Coliseum. The Senior Center group will depart at 10 a.m.. There is space available for 12 individuals.
Read more: Senior Center announces October 2018 Excursions and Events

Orange Beach considering starting ambulance service

By John Mullen

September 27, 2018 – Orange Beach, AL (OBA^®) – The City of Orange Beach is taking preliminary steps to run its own ambulance service for transporting patients from the city.

“The foundation, what’s it going to take, how much will it cost and how do we move forward,” Fire Chief Justin Pearce said. “Right now, we’re in the how do we move forward stage.”

At the Sept. 18 council meeting the effort got a boost in a memo from Financial Director Ford Handley and the city’s Finance Committee.

Prescribed Burn Planned for Sections of Gulf State Park Campground

by Outdoor Alabama

September 27, 2018 - Gulf State Park - (OBA^®) - A prescribed burn is planned at Gulf State Park as part of a forest management plan associated with longleaf pine restoration, fuel reduction and invasive species control. The planned burn will take place in the park’s campground between Possum Road and Raccoon Road (sites 317-394 and sites 409-439) on October 1-4, 2018, weather permitting.

Texas company making plans to revive Bama Bayou

Bama Bayou developers are planning a Gulf World feature at the new park in Orange Beach, Alabama. — Bama Bayou developers are planning a Gulf World feature at the new park.

Submitted

September 25, 2018 - Orange Beach, AL (OBA®) – The City Council for the City of Orange Beach on Sept. 25 had a public hearing and then voted unanimously to approve a Development Agreement with a private developer for the redevelopment of the abandoned and partially completed Bama Bayou.

Wildflowers boutique debuts ZSupply curated shop-in-shop

Terri Long and Candice Duncan of Wildflowers Boutique in Orange Beach, Alabama. — Terri Long and Candice Duncan of Wildflowers Boutique.

Submitted

September 24, 2018 – Orange Beach, AL (OBA^®) – Wildflowers boutique is excited to announce the launch of a specially curated ZSupply brand shop-in-shop. The Z SUPPLY collection is known for fashion essentials focused on simplicity, comfort and premium fabrics, and the shop-in-shop will be designed with this in mind. Wildflowers is owned and operated by the mother-daughter duo of Terri Long and Candice Duncan.

GSHS alumni kickoff social set for Sept. 28 at Big Beach

Click above to visit the Gulf Shores High School Alumni Association Facebook page.

By John Mullen

September 21, 2018 - Orange Beach, AL (OBA^®) - Gulf Shores grads are getting together to form a alumni association to be involved in the school and the community and are planning a kickoff social on Sept. 28 at Big Beach Brewing.

“We decided to form the Gulf Shores High School Alumni Association recently to basically help establish some traditions for the community moving forward,” one of the officers, Johnny Armstrong, said. “We also wanted to be able to have a channel for alumni to give back, mentor current students and alumni and support everything alumni-related. Whether it be business, athletics and just really have an outlet for alumni to go to and voice their opinions on education, athletics and in the business community.”

Accident at Orange Beach Blvd. and Perdido Beach Blvd.

Suspect Left Scene of accident By Orange Beach Police Dept.

Sept. 20, 2018 - Orange Beach, AL - (OBA^®) - On September 20, 2108 at approximately 6:10 AM Orange Beach Police responded to the intersection of AL161 and AL182 for a reported accident.

Upon arrival officers determined that a Black Nissan Xterra had caused damage to the pedestrian crosswalk signal on AL182 to Al 161 North.

According to witnesses the vehicle had driver side front damage and a shattered windshield.

Long-time employee finds new home at Rouses in Orange Beach

John Bullard working hard at Rouses Supermarket in Orange Beach. He's worked at the store location for 22 years.

Rouses Supermarket in Orange Beach, Alabama. By John Mullen

September 14, 2018 – Orange Beach, AL (OBA®) – John Bullard was a fixture and an icon pushing buggies for 22 years at a grocery store in Orange Beach. But when the store closed, John was not out of luck.

Word around town was Rouses Market, a chain based in Louisiana, would take over that space and is in there today. While Rouses was getting the new location in ship shape, John could be seen pushing buggies at the Rouses in Gulf Shores.

“When we first came in we saw John and talked with John and I asked him if he’d be interested in coming to work for Rouses,” Orange Beach Store Director Kenneth Jones said. “John said, sure, and he was all excited about it. I talked to his mom and got a little information from her and we brought him over to the Gulf Shores for training. Once we got him in everybody just fell in love with John. He was welcomed go the Rouses’ family. He’s a pleasure to have on the team.

“Customers, a lot of them thanked us for keeping him on.”

John has autism. He can recite sports scores and issues and teams. He can talk about all the political issues that are raging around the country. He’s also a voracious reader and has taken some college-level courses mostly in accounting because he’s great with numbers. In his free time, he helps out at his church’s food pantry and is a volunteer reader for WUWF’s Sightline program for the vision impaired.

When he’s not working hard he always has time to greet customers or help them find items in the store.

“Since we’ve transitioned into the Orange Beach store he’s just been Johnny-on-the-spot telling us everything about sports and politics,” Jones said. “He’s always just busy, busy. Walking, looking, learning. He can tell where just about anything is in the store if you need to know something.”

Orange Beach buys land to relocate Public Works

From left are Beach Safety Director Brett Lesinger, Lifeguard of the Year Johnny Menke and Mayor Tony Kennon. — At the Sept. 11 city council meeting Johnny Menke was announced as the 2018 Lifeguard of the Year. From left are Beach Safety Director Brett Lesinger, Menke and Mayor Tony Kennon. *Orange Beach Photo by Marc Anderson.*

By John Mullen

September 13, 2018 – Orange Beach, AL (OBA®) – With the new Orange Beach High School and Middle School being built at the former wastewater treatment site it put the squeeze on the Public Works Department located at the eastern edge of that property.

On Sept. 11 the city agreed to buy $2.1 million for 56 acres on Powerline Road from Georgene Connor to build a new Public Works complex.

“It’s next to Powerline Road and 23 acres of it is dry which is all that matters,” Mayor Tony Kennon said. “We will now be able to use and move Public Works there and be able to keep it on the south side of the canal which is where we think it needs to be.”

Also, during the meeting, the council accepted a bid of $29,000 from Modern Signs for a new digital sign for the Coastal Arts Center of Orange Beach. The council also promised resident Tem Blalock they would act, if necessary, to dim or redirect new lights at Zeke’s Landing Marina that are blinding to residents along the north side of Cotton Bayou.

The council also finalized the takeover of Canal Road from the state from Doc’s to Perdido Gate. The city will net almost $3 million from the takeover, some of it from the Alabama Department of Transportation.

“Which means we are able to do a lot more that we deem needs done on Canal,” Kennon said. “They gave us $650,000 in cash for taking it over which gives us about 15 to 17 years of maintenance cost.”

Soon the city hopes to begin adding a third center lane from Doc’s to Wilson Boulevard or to the recreation complex.

“We’ve got $1.9 million from the RESTORE Act to three-lane it with a roundabout at the arts center/library for a U-turn and to repave it,” Kennon said. “So we have about 30 years of maintenance including all that cash and all the improvements at no cost to the city. I think we got a pretty good deal on that.”

Your team and great wings are playing at the Daiquiri Bar

By John Mullen

September 9, 2018 – Orange Beach, AL (OBA®) – It’s football season and your team is playing at Island Time Daiquiri Bar at The Wharf.

“It’s the biggest little sports bar on the island,” owner Bobby Graves said. Graves recently shut down for a few days to make improvements like a shiny new bar top, new coating for the floor and some new furniture.

Most importantly, he’s added a bunch of TVs, too, "We turned some 55-inch screens to 65s and a couple of 65s to 80s."

Oh, and he’s added a football game-day food to the Daiquiri Bar, the first time he’s sold food in this location.

“Wings, wings and wings,” Graves said. “What is football without wings? We just completed adding a small kitchen and now we’re working on the flavors.”

One flavor for sure will be the international award-winning Wild Bill’s Wing Sauce. Serving them up will be Graves’ long-time friend Bill Howard himself.

“At first we’ll just have wings on Saturdays and Sundays and see how that goes,” Graves said. “We may look into expanding it to more days if there’s a demand. They will be big, tasty wings just right for the big game.”

Graves started the Daiquiri Bar about five years ago in the season-ending month of August.

“You’re crazy for opening that place,” Graves said he was told. “And you’re opening it at the end of the season. It’ll never make it.”

That was hardly the case. His first foray into the beach economy, the Daiquiri Bar, has been a success story.

Gulf Shores natives coming home for album pre-release party

Band picture — Roadside Glorious members, from left, Aydan Closson, Basch Jernigan, Tyler Self and Evan Hall.

Brawn and Bones by Roadside Glorious album cover. — Brawn and Bones by Roadside Glorious

August 30, 2018 – Orange Beach, AL – (OBA®) New Orleans southern rock and soul band Roadside Glorious, founded by Gulf Shores natives Basch Jernigan and Aydan Closson, is having a special pre-release party for their soon-to-be-released debut album “Brawn and Bone” at Big Beach Brewing Company in Gulf Shores.

The band will be in town on Sept. 14 from 6-10 p.m. and play from 8-10 p.m. The album was recorded at legendary FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals by 2018 Grammy-nominated engineer John Gifford III and mixed/mastered by 2018 Grammy-nominated engineer Don Syrgley. Gifford has worked with the likes of Greg Allman, Alicia Keys, Phish and Royal Southern Brotherhood, among other well-known artists.

Orange Beach Police arrest two people for theft

August 27, 2018 - Orange Beach, AL - (OBA^®) - On August 26th, 2018, at approximately 4am, the Orange Beach Police Department received multiple calls from concerned residents of suspicious individuals in the area walking around their houses and vehicles.

After police responded to the location in question a female subject was eventually located hiding in the wood that was identified by police as Hannah Lea Edwards, 19.It was later determined that several vehicles had been entered unlawfully where items were taken.

After further investigation, it was determined that a second subject, later determined as, Levi Caleb Bowman, 20, was involved in these crimes as well.

Orange Beach planning expansions in services, facilities

The city's programs for children, like Expect Excellence shown above, is taxing city facilities.

By John Mullen

August 23, 2018 – Orange Beach, AL (OBA^®) – It’s a fact of life that Orange Beach is growing in leaps and bounds with new homes sprouting in formerly empty lots all over East Orange Beach. Combine that with several subdivisions building houses or permitted for houses, two townhouse developments underway and two condo towers under construction and two more approved it is beginning to stretch city services.

“It’s grown and we’re busting out at the seams,” Councilman Jeff Silvers said.

One of the places it’s most evident is the recreation center and the adjoining tennis and aquatic centers.

“We have had numerous workshops about our recreation center complex,” Silvers said. “We have met with some architects and different firms and we’re going to use a couple of those firms to come up with a comprehensive plan for that whole rec center, swim center. We’ll have some exciting plans to show people real soon.”

But that’s not the only area where the burgeoning population is taxing city resources, Mayor Tony Kennon said.