OBA Community Website

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Talks to bring Powerboat Races back to Orange Beach scheduled

Press Release

November 19, 2019 - Orange Beach, AL - (OBA^®) - Race World Offshore (RWO), the offshore powerboat sanctioning body that formed in 2017, is preparing to expand its racing season in 2020, according to RWO President and founder Larry Bleil.

The organization held its inaugural race season in 2018 with a modest lineup, including races in Mentor, OH, and Dunkirk, NY. For 2019, RWO dropped the Mentor race but picked up two events in Florida: the Clearwater and Key West competitions formerly run by Superboat International. The Key West World Championships recently wrapped up its week-long extravaganza in the country’s Southernmost city to rave reviews from fans and racers alike.

OWA to host 3rd annual Tree Lighting Ceremony

Submitted

November 13, 2019 - Foley, AL - (OBA^®) - OWA welcomes the holiday season with festive flair during the 3^rd annual Tree Lighting Ceremony on Saturday, Nov. 16. Expanding upon previous years, Saturday’s ceremony will include more live entertainment, more holiday cheer, and more surprises for those in attendance. The ceremonial festivities will kick off in the streets of Downtown OWA at 5pm.

Have a traditional Thanksgiving at the beach without cooking

Several restaurants in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, Alabama will be open on Thanksgiving.

By John Mullen

November 12, 2019 – Orange Beach, AL – (OBA^®) – If you don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen cooking and cleaning this Thanksgiving, you’re in luck.

Several restaurants are opening on the day with most of those providing traditional fare in addition to serving their full regular menu as well. Others will be open but serving just the regular menu.

Gulf Shores Lighted Christmas Parade Dec. 6th at 6:30 pm

November 12, 2019 Gulf Shores, AL - (OBA^®) - The Lighted Christmas Parade will feature festive lighted floats, as well as appearances from holiday characters and marching bands. Large crowds of spectators looking to bask in the holiday spirit are anticipated along Highway 59 as parade entries make their way from Gulf Shores Public Beach to the Sims Park.

The making of Shabby Road, 10 years later

Shabby Road with Signatures

By John Mullen

November 11, 2019 - Orange Beach, AL - (OBA^®) - The 25th Annual Frank Brown International Songwriters Festival in 2009 was in full swing as patrons sat in the old Silver Moon Lounge taking in tunes.

While standing outside the Silver Moon, looking towards the Flora-Bama, OBA Community Website founder Ken Cooper noticed three musicians with guitar cases in the crosswalk. “Wow” he said, “that looks like an Abbey Road redo.”

Orange Beach to explore possibility of golf cart paths

Golf cart owners in Orange Beach, Alabama, will have to register vehicles, make other changes.

By John Mullen

November 10, 2019 – Orange Beach, AL – (OBA) – Making good on a promise from the Oct. 1 town hall meeting the Orange Beach City Council is discussing spending $18,000 to explore locations for new pathways in the city.

“The mayor would like to look into the feasibility of constructing golf cart paths,” Community Development Director Kit Alexander said. “Shared paths between golf carts, bicyclists and pedestrians. This is the first attempt to look at the feasibility of constructing multi-modal paths including golf carts on roadways that have a speed limit greater than 25 mph.”

Prescribed Burn Planned for Eagle Loop Section of Gulf State Park

November 8, 2019 - Gulf State Park, AL - (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 Eagle Loop section of the park near Lake Shelby sometime between November 11-30, 2019, weather permitting.

Charges filed after dozens of vehicle burglaries and thefts

Submitted

November 5, 2019 - Gulf Shores, AL - (OBA) - On October 26, 2019, dozens of residents woke up to find their vehicles had been entered illegally overnight. GSPD Detectives are investigating 28 cases of Unlawful breaking and entering a vehicle (13A-8-11) and 2 vehicle thefts, all believed to have been committed by the same suspects.

Alabama, Ole Miss advance to quarterfinals of SEC Women’s Soccer Championship; games resume Nov. 5th

November 5, 2019 - Orange Beach, AL - (OBA^®) - The 2019 Southeastern Conference Women’s Soccer Championship kicked off on a picture-perfect day at the Orange Beach Sportsplex on Sunday, Nov. 3.

Alabama and Auburn match kicks off 2019 SEC Women’s Soccer Championship in Orange Beach

November 2, 2019 - Orange Beach, AL - (OBA^®) - For the 15th year in a row, the Orange Beach Sportsplex welcomes the return of the Southeastern Conference Women’s Soccer Championship, November 3rd through November 10th.

The single-elimination tournament will be aired live on the SEC Network.

Bon Temps Poboys brings Cajun cooking to Orange Beach

Bon Temps Poboys and Specialty Meats in Orange Beach, Alabama.

By John Mullen

October 31, 2019 – Orange Beach, AL – (OBA^®) – On a recent Thursday Jesse Sonnier was in his kitchen at Bon Temps PoBoys and Specialty Meats working on the night’s special.

“On steak night,” Sonnier said. “I hand cut all the steaks and I was trimming ‘em, trimming the fat. I was like man, I can’t believe I’m throwing this away. I’ve got to be able to do something with that.”

35th Annual Frank Brown International Songwriters' Festival - Nov. 7th-17th

October 30, 2019 - Perdido Key, FL - (OBA^®) - Legendary characters, infamous stories, notes of music across the gamut of genres and a plethora of performances across multiple venues can only mean one thing -- it’s time for the Frank Brown International Songwriters’ Festival.

'Gulf Coast Girl' headed to Hangout Oyster Cook-Off

Caroline Jones will sing at the Hangout Oyster Cook-Off Craft Spirit and Beer fest on Nov. 2.

By John Mullen

October 29, 2019 – Orange Beach, AL – (OBA^®) – Caroline Jones is fast becoming her own Gulf Coast girl and not just through her hit song.

The rising star will bring her talents and her hit song “Gulf Coast Girl” to the 12th annual Hangout Oyster Cook-Off Craft Spirits and Beer Weekend on the main stage in the Hangout courtyard on Nov. 2 at 2:15 p.m. It will be her first “official” gig on the Gulf Coast she shows the love for in the popular song. (See the complete schedule below.)

Alabama Marine Resources Division and Partners to Recycle Oyster Shells from 2019 Hangout Oyster Cook-Off Event

October 28, 2019 - Gulf Shores, AL - (OBA^®) - The 12^th Annual Hangout Oyster Cook-Off Craft Spirits and Beer Weekend is set for Nov. 1-2 in Gulf Shores. Again this year, event organizers — alongside Alabama Coastal Foundation (ACF) and Alabama Gulf Seafood — will align to recycle leftover oyster shells to aid in ongoing oyster restoration efforts.

Fishing at Gulf State Park Pier on Fire

October 25, 2019 - Gulf State Park - (OBA^®) - Those who love to fish the Gulf State Park Pier should not hesitate to head down to Gulf Shores-Orange Beach right away. Judging from what I witnessed last week, the fishing is on fire, especially for Spanish mackerel.

Anglers were reeling in Spanish after Spanish on the Gulf’s premier fishing pier, which juts some 1,540 feet into Gulf of Mexico waters. Throw in redfish (red drum), king mackerel and huge ladyfish, dubbed the poor man’s tarpon, and you can see how much fun the pier anglers are having right now.

Cruise in style to see the Blue Angels' homecoming show

Cruise OB is offering a Nov. 9 cruise, swim and air show in Pensacola.

By John Mullen

October 25, 2019 – Orange Beach, AL – (OBA^®) – Take a leisurely cruise to see the Blue Angels Homecoming Show on Nov. 9 onboard the Cruise OB’s new boat, Fintastic.

Owner Scooter Fredrickson said he is taking reservations for up to 40 people even though on dolphin cruises he can accommodate almost 80 passengers.

Skins Game Tournament tees off Nov. 3 at Golf Center

By City of Orange Beach

October 24, 2019 - Orange Beach, AL - (OBA^®) - The City of Orange Beach Golf Center’s monthly Skins Game Tournament will be held on Sunday, November 3rd, with a shotgun start at 1 p.m. The public is welcome.

There are Skins on all 18 holes, a closest-to-the-pin contest, and $250 for a hole-in-one on all 18 holes.

Fire and police awards to be part of Community Potluck on November 4th

Orange Beach 2018 annual awards at community potluck

October 23, 2019 - Orange Beach, AL - (OBA^®) - The November Community Potluck will feature the annual police and fire awards ceremony on Monday, November 4th at the Orange Beach Community Center. The Firefighter of the Year and the Officer of the Year will be announced.

Council approves paving of 20 city streets, repairs to paths on Backcountry Trail

By City of Orange Beach

October 21, 2019 - Orange Beach, AL - (OBA^®) - Over the next few months, 20 city streets will be repaved and numerous sections of paved paths on the Backcountry Trail will be repaired as the Orange Beach City Council voted unanimously on Tuesday, October 15th to award a low bid of $694,282.31 to Roads Inc. of NWF for the paving project. The project will also include a driveway and a small parking area at the Coastal Resources’ maintenance facility, and several locations at the Orange Beach Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Orange Beach man starts petition to pave Powerline Road

Jeb Smith says he believes Powerline Road we be improvement of an existing road not building a new one.

By John Mullen

October 21, 2019 – Orange Beach, AL – (OBA^®) – Local Realtor Jeb Smith was looking for a way to contribute to the community. After attending city council meetings for the past few years decided to take on what many in Orange Beach and Gulf Shores consider a “20-year fix” to traffic problems on the island.

“Just took it upon myself to find where I could help out the best way that I could just as a regular citizen,” Smith said. “That was one of the main things that as far as relieving traffic pressure we needed another north-south corridor in Orange Beach. That was the only logical thing to do.”

Gulf Shores resident killed in motorcycle crash in Foley

Submitted by Foley Police Dept.

October 20, 2019 - Foley, AL - (OBA^®) - At approximately 2:30 am, Foley Police responded to an accident involving a motorcycle and a pickup truck near the 8000 block of Hwy 59 S.

A preliminary investigation leads us to believe that both vehicles were southbound and the BMW motorcycle ran into the back of the Toyota Tundra. Excessive speed of the motorcycle was a major contributing factor.

Jan Spence bringing message of encouragement to Orange Beach

By John Mullen

October 20, 2019 – Orange Beach, AL – (OBA^®) – Jan Spence found part of her life’s calling in one of the most unlikely of places – on the football field during tryouts for a new women’s football team in Jacksonville, Florida.

“I had always wanted to play women’s professional full-tackle football but there were no women’s teams at the time,” Spence said via phone recently. “As a child mother instilled that in me being from the south and good old SEC college football fan. I had that dream and carried it into my adulthood. Finally, my husband said there’s a women’s full-tackle football team coming to Jacksonville why don’t you go try out.”

Spearfishers Cash in on Lionfish Money

By Outdoor Alabama

October 18, 2019 - Orange Beach, AL - (OBA^®) - The red lionfish population off the Alabama Gulf Coast is a little smaller now that the second of two spearfishing tournaments finished a two-week run, with the final weigh-in last weekend at Tacky Jack’s in Orange Beach.

Alabama Oysters, Alabama Music, Alabama Hospitality

Jimmy Hall and the Muscle Shoals All Start at Oyster Cook off

October 18, 2019 - Gulf Shores, AL - (OBA^®) - As Alabama’s 200th birthday celebration concludes, there could be no more fitting way to celebrate Alabama’s beautiful beaches, Alabama oysters, and Alabama hospitality than with the Alabama music and musicians who have helped create the soundtrack for so many lives.

Orange Beach Elementary gets highest grade ever

Staff Report

October 18, 2019 – Orange Beach, AL – (OBA^®) – Orange Beach Elementary school received the highest rating ever from the Alabama Department of Education in its latest report card on schools in the state.

Stories in Rhyme - Documentary about the Frank Brown Songwriters' Festival

Stories in Rhyme - Documentary about Songwriters Festival

October 18, 2019 - Orange Beach, AL - (OBA^®) - The public is invited to a free Special Screening of “Stories in Rhyme - The Songwriters of the Flora-Bama Lounge” at 6 p.m. Wednesday, October 23rd at the Gulf State Park Conservation Hall. Doors open at 5:45 p.m.

Plans coming together for Orange Beach on Terry Cove

The footprint of the new Coastal Resources office on city property near Pleasure Island Tiki Bar in Orange Beach, Alabama.

By John Mullen

October 17, 2019 – Orange Beach, AL – (OBA^®) – Orange Beach officials have long talked about developing the old Walker Marina property next to Pleasure Island Tiki Bar. At the Oct. 15 council regular and work sessions the city began putting into motion a plan for the property.

Construction on a new office facility for the Coastal Resources could start in early 2020 and bids are expected to go out this fall. The council also passed a resolution on a ground lease for property on the site with Auburn University for its planned Gulf Coast Engineering Research Station. They will first develop 1.3 acres closest to the boat basin with plans to extend north onto the remaining 1.5 acres that go all the way to Canal Road.

Updated info on Hangout Oyster Cook-Off

October 15, 2019 - Gulf Shores, AL - (OBA^®) - The 12th Annual Hangout Oyster Cook-Off Craft Spirits and Beer Weekend has added a Craft Spirits & Beer Night kickoff party on Friday, November 1st to the extraordinary lineup of events happening November 1-2 in Gulf Shores. The opening night party will feature hard-to-find rare bourbons, rums, and tequilas paired with cuisine created by top chefs and legendary pitmasters. Live music will round out the night from Crawford + Power and Boy Named Banjo.

Health Department Issues Public Notice on Sewage Spill

By Alabama Dept. of Public Health

October 15, 2019 - Foley, AL - (OBA^®) - According to a report received from Foley Utilities Board, a hydraulic overflow at the wastewater treatment plant resulted in an estimated 24,700 gallons of partially treated effluent being discharged into Wolf Creek.

Orange Beach Planning Commission to meet October 14

Orange Beach Planning Commission Meeting Agenda

October 11, 2019 -Orange Beach, AL - (OBA^®) - The Orange Beach Planning Commission is scheduled to meet at 2:30 p.m. Monday, October 14th for a work session followed by 4 p.m. regular meeting in the Council Chambers at City Hall.