CFB 25, reality TV candidates and more: 5 non-football takeaways from Gulf Coast Media Day 2024 in Orange Beach

The Baldwin County Tigers stepped into the spotlight Thursday at the Orange Beach Event Center for the third-annual Gulf Coast Media Day presented by Planet Fitness. The northern-most team in the county was one of the local football teams that was on hand to preview their season with seniors Keller Coston and Elisha Jones III alongside head coach Andrew Davis.
ORANGE BEACH — With dust settled on the third-annual Gulf Coast Media Day, high school football season has only gotten closer in Baldwin County. Forty local coaches and players cycled …
Happening Now - Local News

Little Bird, big legacy: New Fairhope restaurant to be a tribute to Chef Bill Briand’s mother, culinary journey

FAIRHOPE — The foodie community in Baldwin County has been buzzing with anticipation about a new culinary partnership coming to downtown Fairhope. In March, Robert and Bentley Evans, founders …

Chick-fil-A confirms plans for new Fairhope location

There has been a rumor circulating in social media groups that Chick-fil-A is coming to Fairhope. Yes, the news got this journalist excited but one can’t hang their hat on rumors or hearsay. …

CDC warns of pesticide dangers to reproductive health

Exposure to pesticides poses significant risks to reproductive health, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). These chemicals, widely used to control pests in both …
A walk through the Graham Creek Forest in October can be quite a scare. The half-mile Haunted Forest of Graham Creek trail through the park will get you and your friends into the Halloween spirit.

5 Baldwin County events to enjoy this weekend, July 26-28

Where did July go y'all? The children will be off to school before you know it, so it's time for back-to-school shopping. I don't know about you, but it can be my least favorite part of the …

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Obituaries
Wendell Merril Simmons, age 73, a resident of Summerdale, Alabama, passed away Jul. 17, 2024. Wendell Simmons was born and raised in Monroeville, Alabama, where he worked in the timber industry with …
Bette Jo Harrelson Shuster, 88, a beloved resident of Fairhope, Alabama, passed away peacefully at home on Thur., Jun. 27, 2024. Bette was born in Montgomery, Alabama, to Grady E. Harrelson and …
Mr. James E. Kleinschmidt, a resident of Foley, Alabama, passed away Sat., Jul. 20, 2024, at the age of 69. He was a graduate of Foley High school, 1973 and he proudly served his country in the US …

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Sports
Sports
David Offerle from St. Michael Catholic (fifth from right) represented the Cardinals at the Principals & Athletic Directors meeting on Friday, July 19, in Montgomery. The Class 4A school in Fairhope was one of 10 to receive a $1,000 Sportsmanship Grant from the AHSADCA. Also pictured, from the left, are AHSAA Associate Executive Director Kim Vickers, Berry’s Danny Raines, Alexandria’s Zac Welch, B.B. Comer’s Adam Fossett, Paul Bryant’s Eric Hines, Murphy’s Edwin Burke, Greensboro’s Luther Riley, Offerle, G.W. Long’s David Watts, Loachapoka’s Albert Weeden and Sardis’ Josh Wallace.
St. Michael Catholic, Bayshore Christian among 107 AHSAA schools to finish 2023-24 school year ejection free
Spanish Fort alum and South Alabama receiver Jalen Wayne looks to make a block on a Maryland defender in the fourth quarter of the Senior Bowl on Feb. 4, 2023, at Hancock Whitney Stadium in Mobile. The newest member of the Green Bay Packers, the former Toro and Jaguar pass catcher was signed to the NFC North team as a wide receiver as preseason training camp recently got underway.
Spanish Fort alum Wayne signs with Green Bay Packers as wide receiver
Elberta head football coach Nathan McDaniel reacts to a question during the second-annual Gulf Coast Media Day at the Orange Beach Event Center on July 27, 2023. Baldwin County head football coaches and players are set to return to The Wharf on Thursday to preview the 2024 season at the third-annual event presented by Planet Fitness in Foley, Fairhope and Daphne.
Gulf Coast Media Day schedule finalized for 3rd-annual event presented by Planet Fitness
The Spanish Fort Toros earned a Team Academic Award from the American Volleyball Coaches Association for the seventh-straight year after the team maintained a year-long GPA of 3.3 or higher. Spanish Fort was also in the top 20% of high school programs recognized nationally and earned a fourth-consecutive spot on the AVCA’s Team Academic Honor Roll.
Spanish Fort volleyball earns seventh-consecutive Team Academic Award from American Volleyball Coaches Association
Boys’ soccer MVP honors from the AHSAA North-South All-Star Game returned to Baldwin County with Spanish Fort’s Ethan Spuler who supplied the equalizing goal just before halftime. Spuler is the second local player to earn MVP after Gulf Shores’ Talan Galvan garnered the honor at last year’s competition.
Baldwin County All-Star roundup: Spanish Fort’s Spuler named MVP of North-South soccer game

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Baldwin County, Eastern Shore, Alabama Gulf Coast News
The Islander - Gulf Coast News
Shani, one of the new cheetahs, enjoying the view of the zoo from a rock found in their enclosure.

Cheetahs arrive for the first time at the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo

GULF SHORES — The Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo announced two new arrivals, cheetahs Taj and Shani, as the first-ever cheetahs for the zoo. Taj and Shani were brought in as a part of the Zoological …

What happened at the July 18 Little Lagoon Preservation Society meeting?

GULF SHORES — Attendees of a recent Little Lagoon Preservation Society (LLPS) meeting were given an overview of Mobile Baykeeper's history and current and upcoming projects to protect local …

Orange Beach makes donation to Habitat for Humanity Baldwin County

The City of Orange Beach recently purchased property at 26192 Canal Road, including a house that is set to be demolished, and as the contents of the house were not needed for any public or municipal …

Gulf Shores announces W.C. Holmes Bridge set for temporary nighttime lane closure July 22-24

The City of Gulf Shores  has announced a temporary closure of the right, southbound lane on the W.C. Holmes Bridge starting Monday, July 22, through Wednesday, July 24. This closure will only …

Gulf Shores Police investigate a fatal accident on Gulf Shores Parkway

On Thursday, July 18 around 10:42 a.m., Gulf Shores Police and Fire Rescue responded to a two-vehicle accident in the 3700 block of Gulf Shores Parkway. Authorities determined that a 2016 …

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National and State Data Trends
Nursing Homes analyzed nursing home inspection data from the CMS to provide an update on the post-COVID-19 challenges to oversight.
Drowning deaths have increased over the past few years. Swimply identified seven things event hosts can do to create a safer pool environment.
The Onlooker - Central/North Baldwin

Alabama Forestry Commission announces "Trees4AL" grant program

MICAH GREEN / GULF COAST MEDIA

Why visit Elberta: Discover 5 Best of Baldwin 2024 winners in town

(Left) Brittany Clay, vice president of the Kiwanis Club of Bay Minette, presented a $500 donation to Chosen Youth Outreach representatives Regina Curry and Danyl January to support the Back to School Bash. (Right) Nancy Dean, secretary of the Kiwanis Club of Bay Minette, presented a $500 donation to Melissa Gaines Phillips of the Women’s Divine Organization in support of the Back to School Giveaway.

2 back to school events planned in Bay Minette

A new entertainment district is proposed for areas of downtown Foley west of Alabama 59. The district is intended to encourage revitalization efforts in the downtown area.

Foley moving forward with entertainment district in Downtown Foley

Foley plans to clear debris from the Magnolia River basin south of U.S. 98. The city and Baldwin County will be working to remove material from the stream.

Foley to work on debris removal in Magnolia River

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The Courier - Eastern Shore News

Recovery treatment center opens 1st Baldwin location

Gather up your gal pals, mothers, daughters and aunts and get ready for Girls Night Out at the Eastern Shore Centre Tuesday, July 30, from 4-7 p.m.

Join the fun at Girls Night Out: Eastern Shore Centre's first event under new ownership, July 30

Daphne redistricting public hearing set for Aug. 19

The Haven, Fairhope receive no-kill award

Fairhope closes Veterans Drive to install pedestrian tunnel

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Local News
The 2022 GulfCorps orientation at the Beckwith Camp and Conference Center in Fairhope included removing invasive species during the Service Project Field Day.

Nature Conservancy recommended to get $12M grant for Gulf community resilience projects

Nature-based solutions are a priority across the Gulf Coast, and a federal grant may help spur young adults to action in making their coastal communities more resilient. The Nature Conservancy's …
Rendering and plans for the addition of Into the Darkness: A Journey to the Deep Sea at the DISL Alabama Aquarium.

Dauphin Island Sea Lab to renovate Alabama Aquarium

DAUPHIN ISLAND — The Alabama Aquarium will soon premiere expanded offerings for young visitors and those interested in the deep sea. The Dauphin Island Sea Lab (DISL) announced plans for …

Healthy Vision Month 2024: Reframe your future with eye health awareness

The National Eye Institute, a division of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), marks July as Healthy Vision Month, spotlighting eye health and celebrating opticians and other eye care …

New food-themed festival coming to Foley

Move over Chocolate & Cheese Festival, there's a new festival in Foley's fall lineup. The Burger's, Brats & Beer Festival is the newest addition to the Beach Life Events festival …

Cook what 5-time James Beard nominated Chef Bill Briand cooks

Summer Shrimp and Grouper Ceviche By Chef Bill Briand, Little Bird Fairhope Serves 8 Ingredients: • 12 ounces grouper, medium chop • 10 large shrimp, peeled and deveined • ¼ cup …

Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries issues biosecurity measures for livestock shows

MONTGOMERY — The Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI) is issuing guidelines to protect animal health in response to the detection of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) …

AltaPointe Health announces hiring events across Baldwin County

AltaPointe Health, a leading provider of primary and behavioral healthcare, is launching a hiring initiative to fill various positions across its expansive healthcare system. Serving Alabama for …
MICAH GREEN / GULF COAST MEDIA

Public invited to meeting about Clotilda preservation plans in Mobile River

A public meeting is set to discuss a report on the Clotilda Phase III investigation. The meeting, which is free and open to the public, will feature the Alabama Historical Commission and U.S. …

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National and State Data Trends
BestColleges highlights several of the standout student-athletes who qualified to compete for Team USA at this year's Summer Olympics in Paris.
The Daily Yonder reports that since the inception of the Inflation Reduction Act, small-scale funding for the Rural Energy for America Program is down, with the greater number of grants going to the largest projects and salaries.
Baldwin County High School’s Madilyn Byrd poses for a photo with Tiger head softball coach Anthony Cox during all-star festivities in Montgomery Wednesday afternoon. The Florida Atlantic commit provided 3 strikeouts over 3 innings of work as part of the South’s 3-0 win in Game 1 of the AHSAA North-South All-Star doubleheader.

Daphne’s Moten adds to trophy case with MVP honors from AHSAA North-South All-Star Game

Daphne’s Vic Moten is quickly running out of room in her trophy case after she picked up MVP honors from the Alabama High School Athletic Association’s North-South All-Star Game Wednesday …

Coastal Alabama, Bay Minette Recreation Department teaming up to host junior tennis camp July 24-25 at Hartner Complex

Coastal Alabama Community College and Bay Minette Recreation Department are collaborating to host a junior summer camp July 24-25, open to youth athletes aged 5-18. Led by the CACC tennis team …
Fairhope head baseball coach Kyle Hunter made the trip to Montgomery to see Harrison Cook start the AHSAA North-South All-Star Game on Monday, July 15, at Riverwalk Stadium. Cook helped kick off a dominant pitching performance with a strikeout and no hits allowed over the first two innings of the contest to help the South All-Stars score a 4-1 victory.

Fairhope’s Cook starts North-South All-Star baseball game with 2 no-hit innings to kick off week

Fairhope’s Harrison Cook helped kick off the Alabama High School Athletic Association’s North-South All-Star Week festivities with two shutout innings on the mound in the South’s …
Perry Thompson is “In the Game.” The former Foley Lion standout and soon-to-be Auburn Tiger pass catcher opted into an NIL deal with EA SPORTS to be featured in their College Football 2025 video game as an incoming freshman. Thompson is just one of the Baldwin County alumni that locals can play with starting this week.

EA SPORTS launches College Football 2025 video game featuring Baldwin County alumni

For the first time since 2013, gamers are picking up their controllers and playing a new college football video game. However, now that college student-athletes can benefit from their Name, …
Head softball coach and athletic director Shane Alexander received a proclamation from the Orange Beach School Board honoring the Makos' national championship title bestowed by MaxPreps. The squad was recognized during the regular meeting on Thursday, July 11.

Orange Beach school board recognizes national champion Mako softball team

The Mako softball team was a distinguished guest of the Orange Beach City School Board during July 11’s regular meeting where a proclamation was made to honor the state's first-ever MaxPreps …
Team Supreme celebrates their second-straight Gulf Coast Triple Crown trophy with a champagne shower at The Wharf’s Marlin Circle Saturday night in Orange Beach. The boat from Destin, Florida became only the third multi-time winner of the four-tournament event that starts and ends at The Wharf.

Blue Marlin Grand Championship stays in Orange Beach with Miss Ma’am as Yancey reels in winning fish

The Blue Marlin Grand Championship is once again staying in Orange Beach as Miss Ma’am sprayed champagne at Marlin Circle Saturday night with a 123-inch, 650.4-pound prize fish. Cooper …

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