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Gray triggerfish season opens March 1 in Gulf state and federal waters

Press Release

February 25, 2020 - Orange Beach, AL - (OBA^®) - The recreational gray triggerfish season reopens to harvest in Gulf state and federal waters March 1, and will remain open through May 1, closing to harvest May 2, 2020.

The 3rd Annual Original Snowbird Hootenanny

Submitted

February 25, 2020 - Perdido Key, FL - (OBA^®) - Snowbirds will come down to the Florida-Alabama State-Line for one more Snowbird Hootenanny’s at the Flora-Bama! The Perdido Key Area Chamber of Commerce is ecstatic to host the last hoe-down of 2020 for their beloved winter guests!

Norma Lynch wants to keep seat on Baldwin school board

Norma Lynch of Orange Beach, Alabama, is seeking to retain her District 5 seat on the Baldwin County School Board.

By John Mullen

February 25, 2020 – Orange Beach, AL – (OBA^®) – It’s been an exciting two years for Norma Lynch serving as the District 5 representative on the Baldwin County School Board.

She was appointed to the seat in January of 2018 to fill the seat after Angie Swiger of Gulf Shores resigned when Gulf Shores formed its own city school system. Lynch will face fellow Orange Beach resident Robert Stuart in the March 3 Republican primary. There is no Democratic opposition for the seat.

Robert Stuart seeking seat on Baldwin school board

Robert Stuart of Orange Beach, Alabama, is running for the District 5 seat on the Baldwin County School Board.

By John Mullen

February 24, 2020 – Orange Beach, AL – (OBA^®) – Baldwin County native and Orange Beach resident Robert Stuart has spent a lot of time working with kids through more than 25 years of working with the Orange Beach Sports Association.

He’s looking to parlay that experience into a seat on the Baldwin County School Board as the District 5 representative. He will face off against incumbent Norma Lynch in the March 3 Republican primary. Lynch was appointed to the seat in January of 2018 when Angie Swiger resigned after Gulf Shores formed an independent school system. Swiger resides in Gulf Shores. There is no Democrat running for the seat.

Final Rule to Increase the Annual Catch for Red Snapper on Charter Boats

By NOAA Fisheries

February 24, 2020 - Orange Beach, AL - (OBA^®) - NOAA Fisheries announces a final rule to maintain a reduced buffer between the recreational for hire component annual catch limit (ACL) and recreational annual catch target (ACT) for Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) red snapper. The reduced buffer would result in an increased ACT, which determines the length of the federal for-hire fishing season.

Tacky Jack's Pam White wins Island Spirit Award

Pam White of Tacky Jack's in Orange Beach, Alabama, is Island Spirit Award winner for February.

February 22, 2020 – Orange Beach, AL – (OBA^®) – The Coastal Alabama Business Chamber and Beachball Properties recently presented the February Island Spirit Award to Pam White of Tacky Jacks in Orange Beach.

Ballyhoo coming to Gulf Shores March 7-8 at Lake Shelby

The Ballyhoo Arts Festival will be March 7-8 at Gulf State Park in Gulf Shores, Alabama.

Submitted

February 22, 2020 – Orange Beach, AL – (OBA^®) – Ballyhoo Festival celebrates six years as a fine arts and crafts festival promoting cultural exchange on the Alabama Gulf Coast. Ballyhoo is presented by the Gulf Coast Arts Alliance, a non-profit entity in Gulf Shores.

This is a family-friendly event with fine art vendors, live music, delicious food, performances by the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, fiddle and banjo competitions in partnership with the Frank Brown International Songwriters Festival and Flora-Bama, hands-on children’s activities and more/

Submissions are open for the 2020 Frank Brown Songwriters' Poster Contest

February 22, 2020 - Perdido Key, FL - (OBA^®) - The 36th Annual Frank Brown International Songwriters' Festival is scheduled for November 5th-15th on the Alabama/Florida Gulf Coast.

Festival organizers have opened up submissions for artists to submit their artwork for the 2020 festival. Submissions must be submitted no later than April 30, 2020 to be in the running for this year's contest.

Moe's brings a variety of tastes and sounds to Orange Beach

Moe's Original BAR B QUE in Orange Beach, Alabama.

By John Mullen

February 20, 2020 – Orange Beach, AL – (OBA^®) – This spring and summer Moe’s Original BBQ in Orange Beach will be bringing lots of variety to your taste buds and your ears.

The folksy barbecue joint on the beach brings variety to your taste buds every day with its ever-changing list of soul sides offered along with the daily specials.

Governor Ron DeSantis Announces 2020 Gulf Red Snapper Season

Press Release by Florida Fish & Wildlive

February 19, 2020 - Tallahassee, FL - (OBA^®) - Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced the popular 2020 Gulf red snapper recreational season is set to open June 11 through July 25, with a possible fall reopening if quota is available. This season will apply to those fishing from private recreational vessels in Gulf state and federal waters, and to charter vessels that do not have a federal reef fish permit and are limited to fishing in state waters only.

Orange Beach fire getting $1.5 million in new equipment

Orange Beach received a 75 percent Homeland Security grant to fund the nearly $1M vessel.

By John Mullen

February 18, 2020 – Orange Beach, AL – (OBA^®) – The Orange Beach Fire Department scored some big-ticket items at the Feb. 18 regular session meeting of the city council totaling more than $1.5 million. But most of the money paying for a new engine at $534,000 and fireboat at $999,000 will not come from city coffers.

Thanks to a federal grant from Homeland Security, the agency will pay 75 percent of the cost of the nearly $1 million vessel through a Port Security Program Grant Award Agreement.

Orange Beach Area (OBA) Mardi Gras Festivities this week

February 18, 2020 - Orange Beach, AL - (OBA^®) - It's Mardi Gras week on the Gulf Coast. One week from today is Fat Tuesday.

Below you will find information about all of the Mardi Gras events in the Orange Beach Area, (OBA^®) starting Wednesday, Feb. 19th with a Mardi Gras Ball at LuLu's Gulf Shores.

Mardi Gras Returns to OWA with Krewe du Cirque on Feb. 23

Press Release

February 17, 2020 - Foley, AL - (OBA^®) - The good times are ready to roll for the second year at OWA as Mardi Gras returns in spectacular fashion on Joe Cain Day: Sunday, Feb. 23, 2020. The Gulf Coast’s largest entertainment destination is collaborating with local parading organization, Krewe du Cirque, for the second year in a row to bring locals and visitors an epic celebration, including parades, parties, music and fun.

Orange Beach police issue advisory to Spring Break 2020 guests

Orange Beach Police logo City of Orange Beach Police Press Release

February 15, 2020 - Orange Beach, AL - (OBA^®) - The City of Orange Beach welcomes all guests to the City of Orange Beach for Spring Break. Our city is a beautiful, family-oriented beach resort community. During Spring Break, we traditionally experience increases in underage drinking, disorderly conduct and illegal drug use.

States given control of recreational snapper season

State officials are still trying to decide on recreational red snapper fishing dates.

By John Mullen

February 14, 2020 – Orange Beach, AL – (OBA^®) – For two years, NOAA let the states have a hand in managing the recreational red snapper season in the Gulf of Mexico. With that experience under their collective belts, NOAA recently announced it is officially handing off management of the season to five Gulf states including Alabama.

“Under an exempted fishing permit (EFP), the five Gulf Coast states managed the private recreational red snapper fishery in the Gulf of Mexico for the 2018 and 2019 fishing seasons and saw remarkable success,” a release from the Coastal Conservation Association of Alabama states. “The EFP was the result of a multi-year effort to give the states control after the status quo federal management approach reduced the Gulf red snapper season to an astounding three days for private anglers in federal waters.”

2020 Spring Break Schedule

February 11, 2020 - Orange Beach, AL - (OBA^®) - Spring Break is just around the corner and as anyone who lives in the Orange Beach Area knows, we get a lot of visitors during this time.

The cities of Orange Beach and Gulf Shores have a low tolerance for rowdy spring breakers and caters more to families this time of year.

Orange Beach Arbor Day tree giveaway set for Feb. 22

February 8, 2020 - Orange Beach, AL - (OBA^®) - The City of Orange Beach will observe Arbor Day with a tree giveaway from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Saturday, February 22nd. The city will give away potted saplings in front of the Orange Beach Community Development building at 4101 Orange Beach Blvd. The 1- to 3-gallon containers will consist of a variety of hardwood trees for citizens to plant in their yards.

John Davis honored, given key to City of Orange Beach

By City of Orange Beach

February 7, 2020 - Orange Beach, AL - (OBA^®) - Mayor Tony Kennon and Orange Beach City Council honored longtime volunteer and community servant John Davis with a surprise presentation of a key to the city during the council meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 4.

For 16 years, Davis worked flipping burgers and turning hotdogs at the Sportsplex concession stand in addition to serving on the city’s Finance Committee, Healthcare Authority and Planning Commission.

January Island Spirit Posthumously Awarded To Amanda LaBrecque

Press Release

February 7, 2020 - Orange Beach, AL - (OBA^®) - The Coastal Alabama Business Chamber and Beachball Properties have posthumously presented the January Island Spirit Award to Amanda LaBrecque, who tragically passed away last year.

BBQ & Blues Cook-Off: Turn up the Heat to Support South Baldwin Schools

Annual BBQ & Blues Cook-off in Foley Alabama

February 7, 2020 - Foley, AL - (OBA^®) - The South Baldwin Chamber Foundation is cooking up a whole lot of fun while raising funds supporting Foley area schools during the Annual BBQ & Blues Cook-Off! On Saturday, March 14, in Heritage Park, located at the intersection of Hwy 59 & 98 in Downtown Foley, festival-goers will enjoy award-winning barbeque, popular blues bands including The Defrosters, craft and retail vendors, children’s activities.

Suspect arrested in Florida related to string of thefts in Orange Beach

February 6, 2020 - (OBA^®) - Beginning in May of 2016, Orange Beach began experiencing a three and a half year crime spree in which newer model Garmin GPS systems were being stolen off of vessels.

The thieves would strike approximately every six months getting away with ten to fifty thousand dollars’ worth of Garmin systems.

Private video cameras caught the same suspect on two different occasions, but efforts to identify the perpetrator were still fruitless.

Orange Beach considers expansion of after-school program

Expect Excellence, Orange Beach, Alabama afterschool program

February 6, 2020 – Orange Beach, AL – (OBA^®) – When kids sign up for the Expect Excellence afterschool program in Orange Beach and sign up for a culinary class, the next stop is a waiting list.

Program coordinators Jonathan and Jessica Langston told the city council on Feb. 4 the reason is lack of space. The classes use the kitchen in the community center but its size and availability limits the class size. About 40 kids are currently on the waiting list for the class.

Perdido Beach Resort to host the Perdido Key Area Chamber's 35th Anniversary

Perdido Key Chamber at Perdido Beach Resort

February 6, 2020 - Orange Beach, AL - (OBA^®) - Perdido Beach Resort is proud to host the Perdido Key Area Chamber of Commerce 35th Anniversary at February's Business After Hours on Wednesday, February 19, 2020! From 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm, the Perdido Chamber will welcome professionals of the Perdido Area to a cocktail social network with potential partners and clients and learn about the benefits of being a chamber member! We will be welcoming our newest members, giving away door prizes and recognize the member of the month!

Operation ReConnect salutes military veterans and their families with free, week-long beach vacations

Orange Beach Vacations for returning military vets

February 6, 2020 - Orange Beach, AL - (OBA^®) - American military veterans and their families will soon enjoy a one-week stay in paradise, thanks to Operation ReConnect. It’s the third consecutive year that the City of Orange Beach, property owners, rental management companies and many other local businesses come together and give more than a “Thank You” as a way to give back to U.S. military families who sacrifice so much. Veterans and their families will begin arriving on Saturday, April 18th at 3:00 p.m. Initial check-ins will take place out front of the City of Orange Beach Council Chambers.

22nd Annual Brat Fest returns on February 8th

2020 Brat Fest February 6, 2020 - Orange Beach, AL - (OBA^®) - The 22nd Annual Pleasure Island Firefighter Benefit (Bob Gilray Memorial Brat Fest), a community event sponsored by Snowbird Clubs, will be held Saturday, February 8th at the Orange Beach Community Center. The Brat Fest starts at 11 a.m. run until the brats are sold out.

The cost is $4 per Jacksonville Brat with fixings. Beverages will be sold including coffee, tea, and soda. Carryout and a Drive Thru will be available as well as indoor seating

Since its inception, more than $114,000 has been raised by the Snowbird Clubs for the fire rescue departments in Orange Beach and Gulf Shores and on the Fort Morgan peninsula.

2020 Mardi Gras Parade Schedule for the Orange Beach Area

February 5, 2020 - Orange Beach, AL - (OBA^®) - Mardi Gras is underway on parts of the Gulf Coast and is just around the corner for our area. Below are the parade schedules for all parades in the Orange Beach Area. Click on the links for more information about the parades.

Thunder on the Gulf cancelled for 2020, looking toward 2021

February 5, 2020 - Orange Beach, AL - (OBA^®) - Thunder on the Gulf will not take place in Orange Beach this year. Organizers will try again for a 2021 race.

Park at OWA Reopens for 2020 Season Feb. 8

Press Release

February 4, 2020 - Foley, AL - (OBA^®) - After a month of sprucing up, Team Member training and new improvements, OWA’s amusement park will reopen its gates for the year this Saturday, Feb. 8 at 11am.

Co-ed Youth Sand Volleyball registration opens February 10th

February 4, 2020 - Orange Beach, AL - (OBA^®) - Registration for Orange Beach Co-ed Youth Sand Volleyball will be open from February 10-February 28, 2020.

Lucy’s Retired Surfers Bar & Restaurant opens at OWA Feb. 8

Submitted

February 3, 2020 – Foley, AL – (OBA^®) – Lucy's Retired Surfers Bar & Restaurant is bringing family-friendly, coastal cuisine to Foley, Alabama’s newest entertainment district, OWA, on Saturday, Feb. 8.

To celebrate the expansion, Downtown OWA’s newest tenant is giving back to local nonprofits with two Friends & Family Charity Days on Thursday, Feb. 6, and Friday, Feb. 7.