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Covering the Alabama/Florida Gulf Coast (AFGC)^tm since 2006!

It's Mullet Toss Week on the Gulf Coast

April 22, 2019 - Perdido Key, FL - (OBA^®) - The iconic Flora-Bama attracts thousands of folks from all walks of life when it holds its 34th Annual Mullet-Toss. Having developed into a 3-day beach party, it generates over $10 million in the local economy while raising over $30,000 for local charities and youth groups. Beginning at 10 a.m., Friday thru Sunday, the event consists of simply tossing a mullet, one of the areas most popular local fish, from a 10-foot circle in Florida towards Alabama on crystal, white sand.

Orange Beach pledges $1 million to help schools

From left are Orange Middle School Principal Robbie Smith, Orange Beach High Athletic Director Chase Smith and Orange Beach High Principal Erika McCoy. By John Mullen

April 19, 2019 – Orange Beach, AL (OBA^®) – Dr. Erica McCoy, the principal of the new Orange Beach High School, is looking for goal-oriented teachers to lead students when classes open in August.

“In every interview, I say that one question to every person that we have been interviewing with and it’s how are you going to help propel our students to the national spotlight,” McCoy told the city council on April 16. “Because if our kids are in the national spotlight then Orange Beach is in the national spotlight. Just having that vision of excellence from the very beginning is very important.”

Locally owned Island Fiber building network in Orange Beach

By John Mullen

April 15, 2019 – Orange Beach, AL (OBA^®) – Councilman Jerry Johnson has said time and again he believes several companies will eventually be running fiber into Orange Beach neighborhoods to bring high-speed internet. And, the first one to do it may be the newest and homegrown.

“We should have fiber in Burkhart within 60 to 90 days,” Island Fiber owner Mickey Franco said. “Our plan, once we got our franchise agreement, we had to get that to begin the permitting and the rest of the process. We’ve got a lot of that prepped and ready to go and we’ll be submitting permits for Burkhart the week of April 15.”

Bid to widen Canal Road could go out in June

Conceptual design for Wolf Bay bridge in Orange Beach, Alabama. By John Mullen

April 15, 2019 – Orange Beach, AL (OBA^®) – State officials say about half of the work moving utilities to make way for a fifth lane on Canal Road is completed and they are hoping to let the project out for bidding soon.

“We’re plugging along with the utility relocation out there on Canal,” Assistant Southwest Region Engineer Brian Aaron said. “I’d say we’re roughly 50 percent complete on that so we’re going to continue to work through that over the next few months.”

Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council Approves Alabama’s State Expenditure Plan for Gulf Coast Recovery

April 12, 2019 - Montgomery, AL - (OBA^®) - Governor Kay Ivey announced on March 29, 2019, the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council (Federal Council) has approved Alabama’s State Expenditure Plan for Gulf Coast recovery. This plan, developed by the Alabama Gulf Coast Recovery Council (AGCRC), proposes 28 activities for the Spill Impact Component of RESTORE funding (also known as Bucket 3) for a total estimated cost of $132,355,952. Now that the plan has been approved, individual grant applications must be submitted the Federal Restore Council and awarded before project activity can begin.

Conservation Advisory Board Meets at Gulf State Park on May 4

Alabama Conservation and Natural Resources April 11, 2019 - Gulf Shores, AL - (OBA^®) - The Alabama Conservation Advisory Board (CAB) will hold its second scheduled meeting of 2019 on Saturday, May 4, in Gulf Shores, Ala. The meeting will take place in the Gulfview Ballroom II at The Lodge at Gulf State Park, a Hilton Hotel, 21196 E. Beach Blvd., Gulf Shores, Ala., 36542.

Registration for those wishing to address the board will be from 8-8:30 a.m. The meeting will begin promptly at 9 a.m. Attendees with printed information they wish to share with CAB members should bring 16 copies of the material for distribution.

Celebrate Easter all along the Alabama-Florida Gulf Coast

Bear Point Easter Egg Hunt will be April 20 at the waterfront park.

By John Mullen

April 11, 2019 – Orange Beach, AL (OBA®) - Easter Sunday may not dawn until April 21 but there’s plenty of opportunities along the Alabama-Florida Gulf Coast to celebrate the weekend before, the day before and the day itself.

Included are sunrise services, Easter egg hunts, breakfast and photo ops with the Easter bunny and even a bunny dropping from the sky, an annual tradition at the Flora-Bama.

Pinson Valley High School clubs donate to Molly’s Patrol - Orange Beach Surf Rescue

Pinson Valley High School FCCLA and HOSA Club members

By City of Orange Beach

April 5, 2019 - Orange Beach, AL - (OBA^®) - On a sunny April morning about two dozen Birmingham-area students from Pinson Valley High School stood on the beach as a check was presented to Tommy and Becky Bryant to go toward Molly’s Patrol, the beach safety arm of the Orange Beach Fire Department named after the Bryants’ daughter.

Sea, Sand, & Stars will reopen to public this summer in Orange Beach

By City of Orange Beach

April 5, 2019 - Orange Beach, AL - (OBA^®) - Thanks to funding approved by the Orange Beach City Council, the Sea, Sand, & Stars Science and Nature Center at Orange Beach Elementary School will once again be open to the public during the summer.

Orange Beach Planning Commission to meet April 8th

Orange Beach Planning Commission Meeting

By the City of Orange Beach

April 5, 2019 - Orange Beach, AL - (OBA^®) - The Orange Beach Planning Commission is scheduled to meet at 2:30 p.m. Monday, April 8 for a work session followed by the 4 p.m. regular meeting in the Council Chambers at City Hall.

Alabama Receives Approval to Manage Recreational Red Snapper Fishery

By Outdoor Alabama

April 5, 2019 - Orange Beach, AL - (OBA^®) - The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council met this week in Biloxi, Mississippi, to take final action on Reef Fish Amendment 50: State Management for Recreational Red Snapper. The Council voted unanimously to delegate management authority of the private angling component for recreational red snapper fishing to each Gulf state, beginning with the 2020 fishing year. Under this amendment each state is allocated a portion of the recreational quota. Alabama was allocated just over 26% of the total recreational red snapper quota.

Orange Beach has two fixes planned for pass fishing park

Orange Beach, Alabama, continues to make improvements at the Perdido Pass Seawall Park. By John Mullen

April 4, 2019 – Orange Beach, AL (OBA®) – Orange Beach is making plans to expand the boardwalk and landscaping at Seawall Park underneath the Perdido Pass Bridge.

“That is for phase three for the park part is extending the boardwalk, installing the landscaping and benches at that final area over by the helipad,” Coastal Resources Director Phillip West said. “It will cost anywhere from $80,000 to $100,000.”

Gulf Council Votes to Allow State Management of Recreational Red Snapper for Private Anglers

By Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council

April 4, 2019 - Orange Beach, AL - (OBA^®) - The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council met this week in Biloxi, Mississippi and took final action on Reef Fish Amendment 50: State Management for Recreational Red Snapper.

Gulf Shores taking out-of-district student applications

Logo for city of Gulf Shores schools. By John Mullen

April 2, 2019 - Gulf Shores, AL (OBA^®) - The newly formed Gulf Shores City Schools is now taking applications from students who do not reside in the corporate city limits. Tuition will cost $1,500 for the first child in a family and $1,000 for each additional child.

Applications are open through April 30 and for more information visit gsboe.org. It cost $100 to apply and if the child is accepted that money will go toward the tuition. If a child is not accepted $50 of the fee will be refunded.

City of Gulf Shores announces hire of Lee Jones as Director of Planning & Community Development

April 1, 2019 - Gulf Shores, AL - (OBA^®) - Gulf Shores Mayor Robert Craft and the City Council members announced the hire of Lee Jones, AICP, to the position of Director of Planning & Community Development at the work session meeting on Monday, April 1.

“We are excited to welcome Lee Jones as the Director of Planning & Community Development of Gulf Shores,” said Mayor Robert Craft. “With his extensive background and experience in planning and development, we believe that Lee will be a wonderful asset to our team and provide effective leadership to ensure high quality planning for the current and future development of Gulf Shores.”

Gulf Shores Police seek help locating missing woman

Amanda LeBrecque has been missing since March 28. April 1, 2019 – Orange Beach, AL (OBA^®) – The family of 33-year-old Amanda Noelle Harrison, or Amanda LeBrecque, and the Gulf Shores Police Department are asking for the public’s assistance in locating Amanda who has been missing since Thursday, March 28.

Amanda is a resident of Gulf Shores. Relatives told police it is out of character for her not to communicate with friends and family and they are concerned about her safety. Amanda was last known to be leaving South Baldwin Regional Medical Center in Foley.

Orange Beach City Council to meet April 2

April 1, 2019 - Orange Beach, AL - (OBA^®) - The Orange Beach City Council will hold its regular meeting at 5 p.m. Tuesday, April 2nd, followed by the Committee of the Whole meeting.

New Extension Plant Diagnostic Lab Now Accepting Samples

By Ann Chambless, Communications & Marketing, Alabama Co-op. Ext. System

March 29, 2019 - Gulf Shores, AL - (OBA^®) - The new Auburn Plant Diagnostic Lab in Gulf Shores is offering services to Alabama residents and those in surrounding areas. Diagnostics include plant pest identification services, management advice and education for all agricultural crops, landscapes, home grounds and public gardens. The lab is dedicated to accurately identifying plant pests and providing science-based options for management strategies resulting in minimizing pesticide applications.

Gulf Shores named 2019 Greenest City in Alabama

By City of Gulf Shores

March 26, 2019 - Gulf Shores, AL - (OBA^®) - The City of #GulfShores is pleased to announce their recognition as the Greenest City in Alabama, and one of the 2019 Greenest Cities in America by Insurify. Award recipients were evaluated on environmentally-friendly living and driving behaviors.

Gulf State Park Pier Managed Shark Fishing Season Reopens March 31

This spinner shark was caught during a previous shark-fishing event. (Photo by David Rainer)

By David Rainer
Outdoor Alabama

March 26, 2019 - Gulf Shores, AL - (OBA^®) - The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ permitted, managed shark fishing season at the Gulf State Park Pier reopens this Sunday. The first two managed shark fishing events will take place on the south end of the pier – called the octagon – from 7 p.m. Sunday, March 31, until 7 a.m. Monday, April 1, 2019, and from 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 2, until 7 a.m. Wednesday, April 3, 2019. The remaining events take place on most Sundays and Tuesdays from April through September.

Harbor hopes to be in on Orange Beach fiber effort

Harbor Communications has cable in Mobile, Alabama, and Baldwin County. By John Mullen

March 25, 2019 – Orange Beach, AL (OBA^®) – One of the solutions to getting fiber into residential neighborhoods in Orange Beach could come from a homegrown company, Harbor Communications. It’s one of several companies the city is talking with about expanding the speedy internet technology into homes.

“Right now, Orange Beach has five companies interested in putting fiber in the ground,” Councilman Jerry Johnson said. “I don’t think it will be one company but I think it will be two or three that will end up doing it. And can you survive with that small of a penetration?”

Harbor Communications is hoping to eventually ease into getting fiber to homes in Orange Beach on an experimental basis.

Orange Beach to develop north end of Powerline Road

Orange Beach to develop north end of Powerline Road. By John Mullen

March 23, 2019 – Orange Beach, AL (OBA®) – The City of Orange Beach is moving forward with plans to pave a small portion the north end of Powerline Road as soon as a lawsuit over the acquisition of the land is settled in court.

“The question now becomes what is the value of the land in the court and hopefully it will be resolved in about 30 days,” City Administrator Ken Grimes said.

Big plans are in the works for the strip of road from Canal Road south to Sewer Plant Road. Orange Beach is hiring Sawgrass Consulting for about $175,000 to design the roadway and make bring some other city roadways between Powerline Road and the Sportsplex up to code.

Marine Resources Considering Changes to Flounder, Sea Trout Limits

By David Rainer
Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

March 22, 2019 - Orange Beach, AL - (OBA^®) - Alabama’s inshore anglers are aware that fishing for two of the most popular species – southern flounder and spotted seatrout – has not been up to normal Gulf Coast standards in the past few years.

Gulf Shores, Baldwin County reach agreement to finalize separation

By Gulf Shores City Schools

March 21, 2019 - Gulf Shores, AL - (OBA^®) - Today at 3:30 p.m., the Gulf Shores City Board of Education and Baldwin County Board of Education are pleased to announce an agreement to settle the pending lawsuit and finalize all matters in order for Gulf Shores City Schools to complete its transition to an independent city school system on June 1, 2019.

Bar 45 at ONE CLUB offers, food, music, golf and more

Bar 45 at ONE CLUB offers quality dining, championship golf.

By John Mullen

March 21, 2019 – Orange Beach, AL (OBA^®) – ONE CLUB is fast becoming a one-stop shop for a variety of fun events, live music, weddings and receptions, vacation rentals and even team or group dinners.

And, of course, access to the Best 45 holes in Golf.

“We have nine holes at ONE CLUB, an executive golf course and we partner with our neighbor Craft Farms which has 36 holes,” Director of Property Operations Laurie Farris said.

Youth Summer Sail Camp back for 2019

By City of Orange Beach

March 20, 2019 - Orange Beach, AL - (OBA^®) - The first week-long camp begins in early June and the last one finishes in early August. The only exception is 4th of July week.

Following are details on each course being offered during the Summer of 2019. Registration will open in mid March.

Southern California bar honors Gulf Coast icon Flora-Bama

Joe Gilchrist posing at the Flora-Bama wall at Moonshine Beach in San Diego. By John Mullen

March 18, 2019 – Orange Beach, AL (OBA^®) – When Ty Hauter has bands flown in from Nashville and Texas to his Moonshine Beach music venue in San Diego, the up-and-coming artists flock to the club’s Flora-Bama wall to take pictures.

“So, when bands come into town they always get their picture taken by it just like the owner did,” Hauter said. “It’s become this special wall that everybody gravitates to for selfies and what not before they take off out of town.

Orange Beach City Council meeting set March 19

Orange Beach City Council Meeting By City of Orange Beach

March 16, 2019 - Orange Beach, AL - (OBA^®) - The Orange Beach City Council will hold its regular meeting at 5 p.m. Tuesday, March 19th, followed by the Committee of the Whole meeting.

Following are the agendas for the meetings.

Ride the country road to make music at Admiral Bean Studio

Anthony Crawford at the drum set in Admiral Bean Studio in Loxley. By John Mullen

March 15, 2019 – Orange Beach, AL (OBA^®) – The country charm is practically dripping from the trees as you find your way to the middle of 2,400 acres in Loxley. Waiting for you there is the cozy but professional Admiral Bean Studio.

Nationally touring singer-songwriter Edward David Anderson gets it.

“Traveled down that red dirt road in Loxley and threw 10 new tunes at the supremely talented Anthony Crawford today at Admiral Bean Studio,” Anderson recently posted on Facebook. “The dude gets me. And my songs. Interested to see what this stuff turns into.”

4th Dollar General for Orange Beach? Not so fast

Lauder Place and Canal Road intersection will likely require a new traffic signal.

By John Mullen

March 14, 2019 – Orange Beach, AL (OBA^®) – A proposed fourth Dollar General for Orange Beach was denied site plan approval in a unanimous vote by the city’s Planning Commission on March 11. At least four concerns were raised about the project including a change in the required buffer and safety questions.

Also this week, the city council in a regular session and work session on March 12 heard plans for a new subdivision for Lauder Lane that could bring another traffic light on Canal Road at the intersection there.