Fairhope Public Library to keep two challenged books within teen section amid funding pause

After state funding was taken away over certain books in the teen section, the Fairhope Public Library has decided to keep two of its books in their original places. On April 21, the Fairhope …
Happening Now - Local News
The structure of the old Wesleyan Church building that once sat on the property and has since been subdivided as Lot 1 is a distant memory now.

Magnolia Springs moving forward with new Town Center development

MAGNOLIA SPRINGS — If you have driven past Magnolia Springs lately, you may have noticed a pile of rubble along Magnolia Springs Highway. No need to be alarmed; this destruction marks the …
"The Big Momma" sandwich, which is one of the establishment's most popular menu items.

The Beli opens new location at the Wharf in Orange Beach

ORANGE BEACH — The Beli has opened the doors to its new location at The Wharf in Orange Beach. Having opened over Easter weekend, the Beli has been a favorite of locals and visitors since …

Name revealed for Amtrak rail between Mobile, New Orleans

Almost 20 years after Hurricane Katrina devastated passenger rail infrastructure across the Gulf Coast, Amtrak is set to bring intercity train "Mardi Gras Service" between Mobile and New Orleans. …

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Obituaries
Charles William (“Charlie”) Davidson, 74, of Foley, Alabama, passed away on Apr.15, 2025 at Select Specialty Hospital in Pensacola, Florida. Born in Fort Payne, Alabama on Jan. 25, 1951, …
William Thomas Byrd, 86, of Stapleton, Alabama, passed away on Apr. 22, 2025. Funeral services were held on Apr. 25 th , from the chapel of Mack Funeral Home. The burial will be in the Mt. Zion …
Wanda B. Reetz, 76, of Silverhill, Alabama, passed away on Apr. 20, 2025. Funeral services will be held on Apr. 29 at 11:30 a.m. from the chapel of Mack Funeral Home, with the visitation at 10:30. A …

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Sports
Sports
Former Fairhope standout Riley Leonard drafted by Indianapolis Colts in NFL Draft
Beyond his school-based leadership, Laatsch has been a visible and influential figure at the state level. From 2018 to 2024, he represented District 5 on the AHSAA Basketball Committee and currently serves as president of the Alabama Association of Basketball Coaches.
Orange Beach boys basketball coach Chris Laatsch named assistant AD
'Hey Coach' live taping to feature Alabama football at Baumhower's in Foley
Cooper Kurth and the St. Michael captains meet with Handley Tiger representatives at midfield before the Cardinals’ first-ever home playoff game on Nov. 7, 2024, in Fairhope. In his final season as a St. Michael Cardinal, Kurth helped the team register its best regular-season record at 9-1 to earn the first-round playoff game at the new on-campus stadium.
St. Michael senior Cooper Kurth, cancer survivor, wins $5K W. Edgar Welden Scholarship
Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa was the third SEC football stadium visited by Gulf Coast Media Sports Editor Cole McNanna on Dec. 7, 2023, as the Gulf Shores Dolphins played in the AHSAA Class 5A state title game. After three years covering sports in Baldwin County, McNanna has resigned from his post.
Thank you, sports fans; GCM Sports Editor Cole McNanna bids farewell to Baldwin County sports section after three years

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Baldwin County, Eastern Shore, Alabama Gulf Coast News
The Islander - Gulf Coast News
Junior City Councilmembers sold produce from the Gulf Shores High School greenhouse.

Gulf Shores Junior City Council hosts market with live music, student grown produce

Gulf Shores Junior City Council, made up of high school students, hosted their Spring Market at the Waterway Village as their first event since the group formed last October. Hosting a community …

Local business owner Guthrie announces run for Gulf Shores City Council

GULF SHORES — A local small business owner has announced her bid to run for Gulf Shores City Council in this year's election. As a Gulf Shores resident, mother of three kids and owner of …

Historic Tolstoy Park and 'Hermit Hut' looks to move as fundraiser reaches milestones

Efforts to relocate Tolstoy Park and the famous "Hermit Hut" are underway through a local fundraising initiative. The Tolstoy Park Committee, comprised of residents, has been seeking to raise …

Orange Beach, Gulf Shores' Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail named best in nation — again

In a state known for fierce competition on the football field, Alabama is proving it's also a national champion in outdoor recreation. For the third consecutive year, the Hugh S. Branyon …
From left to right: fourth grade teachers Kristy Phillips, Donna Holderfield, Stacey Smith; CSC vice president Janice Moss; MOW chairperson Dolly Crewes; and fourth grade teacher Christy McCarty.

Gulf Shores Elementary students put together 40 Easter baskets for Meals on Wheels recipients

Gulf Shores City Schools held its annual Give Back Day earlier this year and while most students instantly brought joy with their service throughout the city, the fourth-grade class has been working …

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The Onlooker - Central/North Baldwin
Crews replace metal storm drain pipes on West Peachtree Avenue near the Foley Airport. The city is replacing about 570 feet of lines with new concrete culvert after some aging metal pipes collapsed.

Foley council approves major drainage repairs to smooth West Peachtree Avenue

Scenes from the 2024 Oktoberfest 5K Run. The next one will be held Oct. 4.

Foley Sister Cities unveils brand new international cookbook, 'Cooking Connects'

Foley Police investigation leads to federal sentencing in multi-state fake gold scheme

Foley will buy the parking lot near the corner of South McKenzie Street and West Laurel Avenue. The city currently leases spaces at the site for public parking.

Foley to improve downtown parking with key property purchase

Foley city trucks collect limbs and yard debris from homes in the city. The city plans to add a fifth truck and expand collection service in the upcoming fiscal year.

Spring cleaning surge delays Foley limb collection services

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The Courier - Eastern Shore News

Fairhope Public Library celebrates its 125th anniversary

Support the skyward journey: 100+ women pilots to soar in 48th Air Race Classic

Veterans Benefits Fair set for tomorrow in Daphne

A Safe Haven Baby Box will be installed at Foley’s main fire station, providing a secure, anonymous option for parents who are unable to care for a newborn.

Foley, Daphne prepare to launch Safe Haven Baby Boxes

Daphne and Spanish Fort declare emergencies following heavy rain and flooding damage

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Local News

Fungal disease affecting pine trees

Last year, southern pine beetles devastated approximately 52,000 acres of pine forests across the state. Now, this spring, another problem is affecting loblolly pine trees. The Alabama Forestry …

Bay Watch Boat Ramp set to temporarily close for parking area renovation

The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) will temporarily close the Bay Watch Boat Ramp facility in Baldwin County for renovations on May 5, 2025. The facility is …

Alabama Extension: Buyer's guide for Alabama azalea varieties

AUBURN UNIVERSITY — Birds are chirping, grass is growing, pollen is floating on the breeze and azaleas are bursting with blooms. Springtime is showtime for azaleas in Alabama landscapes. Lucy …

Impact 100 Baldwin County to award $564,000 in grants

At its 2025 "Big Reveal" at Oak Hollow Farm, Impact 100 Baldwin County leaders announced they will award six $94,000 grants in the fall to nonprofits serving Baldwin County. Totaling $564,000, …
Historian John Sledge will guide guests on the tour.

Historic Blakeley Park to offer cruises to SS United States, live music May 9

Historic Blakeley State Park will showcase its reputation as one of the Gulf Coast's most vibrant educational and recreational destinations with two special events Friday, May 9. In the …

19 things to do in and around Baldwin County this weekend, May 1-4

It's May and I'm sure you already feel it right? It's getting hot. I'm not going to lie. I miss the snow we had in January. Well, I digress. While the Gulf Coast is heating up, so is the …

Kiddie Compass: 6 family-friendly things to do in Baldwin County, May 1-6

Looking for ways to spark some excitement and creativity in your child's week? We've got just the thing. Keeping young minds active is about more than staying busy — it's about …

Alabama to temporarily close inside waters to shrimp harvesting May 1

The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources announced that all inside waters will close to commercial and recreational shrimp harvesting at 6 a.m. Thursday, May 1. The closure, …

Jax State opens doors to Alabama's Option B high school graduates

High school seniors graduating through Alabama's Option B diploma pathway now have a clear route to Jacksonville State University, thanks to a vote by the university's Board of Trustees on April 15. …

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The Abbott World Marathon 6-Star Hall of Fame is reserved for athletes who complete the six major marathons in Boston, New York, Chicago, London, Berlin and Tokyo. Orange Beach resident Joshua Miller started in Chicago in 2016 and reached the mark in seven years when he finished in Boston.

Monday’s Boston Marathon set to feature Orange Beach resident, Abbott World Marathon 6-Star Hall of Famer Joshua Miller for 4th-straight year

ORANGE BEACH — When some of the best long-distance runners in the world toe the starting line in Hopkinton, Massachusetts at the 129th Boston Marathon on Monday, Orange Beach resident Joshua Miller will be among them.
The last thing the Elberta Warriors see when they leave the locker room at John T. Cobb Stadium is a sign that says “48 for 48” in honor of their late teammate Avery Pickle who passed away last summer leading up to his senior season. Head football coach Nathan McDaniel is pictured tapping the sign before the season-opener against Orange Beach on Aug. 23, 2024.

Nathan McDaniel steps down from Elberta head football coaching post after five seasons

After five seasons as the head football coach and athletic director of the Elberta Warriors, Nathan McDaniel announced his resignation on Friday, April 11. McDaniel had previously spent six …
Eighth-grader Harleigh Brockett, junior Christiana Holmes and sophomore Jamaya Bronson helped represent the Foley Lions on the all-tournament team after they helped their team claim the second-annual Tommy Cleverdon Invitational.

Foley softball hosts and wins second-annual Tommy Cleverdon Invitational Tournament as Brockett, Holmes, Bronson earn all-tournament honors

For the second season in a row, the Foley Lions hosted and won the Tommy Cleverdon Invitational Tournament behind a total team effort. Foley beat Elberta 8-6 and Booker T. Washington 17-1 to …

Renaud named new head golf professional at Gulf Shores Golf Club as of April 1

GULF SHORES — Gulf Shores Golf Club recently welcomed its newest staff addition when Sean Renaud, a third-generation golf professional with a lifelong passion for the game, moved to the Baldwin …
The groundwork is being laid by Sports Turf Company and Bear General Contractors for the new Orange Beach Sportsplex that is set to include an eight-lane running track around the artificial turf field in the competition stadium.

PHOTOS: Construction well underway on new $46 million Orange Beach Sportsplex

Work on the new $46 million sports complex in Orange Beach is well underway thanks to Sports Turf Company and Bear General Contractors. A specialty sports construction and surfacing company, …
Gulf Shores head football coach Mark Hudspeth is interviewed after the Dolphins’ first-ever state title with a 21-14 win over the defending champion Ramsay Rams on Dec. 7, 2023, at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa. This year’s coverage schedule for Alabama Public Television’s football season will include 16 regular season and playoff games, as well as December’s All-Star games, on top of the Super 7 state championships.

Alabama Public Television expanding coverage of Alabama High School Athletic Association football into regular season

Alabama Public Television is expanding its coverage of Alabama High School Athletic Association football into the regular season and playoffs beginning with the 2025 season. APT Executive …

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