Grocery Isle claims crown at 2025 Blue Marlin Grand Championship

ORANGE BEACH -- With a 124-inch, 746.2-pound blue marlin boated in the Gulf and hoisted high at The Wharf Marina, Grocery Isle sealed its place in Gulf Coast sportfishing history as the 2025 Blue …
Happening Now - Local News

Baldwin County municipal meetings for the week of July 14

Before I get into my usual spiel, a quick note: If you're running for office in any upcoming municipal election, please reach out to me directly or email editor@gulfcoastmedia.com to be sure we have …

Way Back When in Baldwin County with Harriet Outlaw: Summerdale was Sumatra Tobacco Company

Way Back When we were on a road trip through Virginia I saw my first tobacco fields. I just had to get out and pick a leaf to bring home to show my students. Ha, joke was on me. I knew so …

Letter to the editor: Thanks for your service, Dr. Dykes

I would like to take this opportunity to recognize Dr. David Dykes, Dykes Veterinary Clinic, in Foley. Dr. Dykes has recently chosen to retire after years of exemplary service. I have been a client …
Obituaries
Joretta Dyess Knight, of Loxley, Alabama passed away on Jul. 8, 2025. Funeral arrangements by Mack Funeral Home & Crematory, Hwy. 59 Robertsdale, Alabama. 251-947-7781. www.mackfuneral.com.
Roy Alex Graves, a native of Birmingham, but a resident of Fairhope since 1970. Died this Jul. 8th, 2025, at age 98. He was predeceased by his parents Kate Alva Bulloch Graves and Alexander Benjamin …
Walter Richard “Screwball” Nelson, age 90, of Robertsdale, Alabama, passed away on Jul. 4, 2025.  A graveside service will be held at Old Cooper Cemetery on Jul. 9 th . Funeral …
Sports
Baldwin County, Eastern Shore, Alabama Gulf Coast News
The Islander - Gulf Coast News
Orange Beach Mayor Tony Kennon from governor's signing of the Beach Express bridge ownership to the state in May 2024.

Orange Beach Mayor Tony Kennon: 'Up to the people' to decide truth of '24 city office incident

ORANGE BEACH — After reporting of a past incident alleging the inappropriate use of city office space and city-paid harassment settlements have been circulating over the last week, Orange Beach …

The Galley on the River reborn with new ownership

BON SECOUR — The new owners of The Galley on the River, Jason and Sara Rees, are bringing fresh life to the riverside favorite. Jason and Sara Rees moved to Baldwin County around five …

Expect Excellence culinary camp returns to instill foundational skills

ORANGE BEACH — During Orange Beach's Expect Excellence summer program, kids went home with new knowledge on cooking thanks to a week of culinary teachings and activities with local chefs. …

Billy's Gourmet Hot Dogs opens in Orange Beach, Beach Expressway coming soon

Billy's Gourmet Hot Dogs has expanded to the coast of Alabama with a new location open in Orange Beach. Billy's started around 20 years ago in Denver, Colorado, with the intent of creating …

National Shrimp Festival to re-select poster art after finding similar design from different artist

The Annual National Shrimp Festival committee is rescinding its 2025 poster and will select a new one after it found the originally selected art is “similar in design to a poster from an event …
Local News

13 things to do in Baldwin County this weekend, July 17-20

Summer shows no signs of cooling off in Baldwin County, with a weekend that packs in fresh flavors, glowing games and a chance to make a difference in your community. Sample local bites at …

Kiddie Compass: 7 family-friendly things to do in Baldwin County, July 17-23

Looking for new ways to keep the kids entertained this summer? Baldwin County is packed with family-friendly activities that spark curiosity, boost creativity and make the most of sunny days. …

Foley to spotlight WWII heritage at Baldwin County Historical Society's summer gathering

The Baldwin County Historical Society will shine a light on Foley's wartime legacy during its summer quarterly meeting July 19 at the historic Gift Horse Restaurant Banquet Hall in downtown Foley. …

Baldwin County Superintendent tells parents what to expect with new phone ban in public schools

Gov. Key Ivey signed the FOCUS Act into law on May 14, creating legislation prohibiting student use of cell phones while in Alabama public schools. Baldwin County Public Schools (BCPS) …

The Renewal Project launches to help Alabamians afford mental health care

A new nonprofit aims to remove one of the biggest hurdles standing between Alabamians and the mental and behavioral health care they need: the cost. The Renewal Project, officially launched this …

Alabama Hospital Association names 1st woman president and CEO as Dr. Williamson announces retirement

After nearly a decade at the helm, Dr. Don Williamson will step down as president and CEO of the Alabama Hospital Association next summer, paving the way for Danne Howard to become the first woman to …

Ivey awards $6.2 million to expand Alabama broadband infrastructure

Baldwin County is among a dozen counties in Alabama set to benefit from a new $6.2 million investment aimed at bridging the digital divide in underserved communities. Gov. Kay Ivey announced the …

RECIPE: Sizzling seafood is a summertime staple

It's grilling season, and people are on the lookout for delicious recipes they can easily cook outdoors. Many fall back on tried-and-true favorites because they may be apprehensive about grilling …

ALEA reports zero July 4 weekend boat accidents, drownings, car crashes in Baldwin County

MONTGOMERY – As the summer season reaches its peak, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s (ALEA) is releasing highway and marine patrol enforcement results from the Fourth of July travel …

Gulf Shores High names Laura Davis head volleyball coach

Gulf Shores City Schools announced late last week the appointment of Laura Davis as the new head volleyball coach at Gulf Shores High School. Davis brings to the Dolphins a wealth of playing and …

Golfer makes hole-in-one on Par 4 at One Club Gulf Shores

Last week, Joel Dixon's "good friend and fellow Australian James Telfer did something incredibly rare in the world of golf — a hole-in-one on a par 4 at One Club in Gulf Shores." Telfer …

Czarkowska, Smeraglia named Players of the Year; Chamberlain, Havard earn top coaching honors on Coastal Alabama Soccer list

A record-tying performance and two deep playoff runs headlined this year's Coastal Alabama girls soccer honors, as standout athletes and coaches from across Baldwin County were recognized for their …

Orange Beach completes ‘Drive for Five’ to win softball state championship

OXFORD – Five years ago, Orange Beach student Ava Hoda – then a seventh-grader – hit a dramatic game-winning home run to give the upstart Makos a state softball championship in the …

Bayshore Christian wins 1st ever state golf title

Bayshore Christian took home a Blue Map trophy this week after the boys' golf team earned low-scoring honors in the 76th AHSAA State Golf Tournament at Oxmoor Valley RTJ Golf Course in Birmingham. …

Baseball playoffs: Elberta ends historic season

It didn't end how they wanted, but Elberta High School's baseball team made an historic run this postseason. Round three marked the farthest the Warriors had ever gone in the playoffs, where …