Baldwin County Public Schools scores 86 on state report card

Mandy Gipson working with her students on the first day of school at Spanish Fort Elementary School.
State report cards for each public school and overall districts in Alabama are in, and the 41 campuses that make up Baldwin County Public Schools (BCPS) have earned an overall score of 86. …
Happening Now - Local News

Fairhope's library director to retire after decades of service

FAIRHOPE — Tamara Dean, the longtime library director in Fairhope, has announced her retirement, effective Dec. 31. With over two decades of service to the library, Dean leaves an …
Wendy Congiardo's coworkers held a retirement part for her to celebrate the 20 years she worked at the Thomas B. Norton Public Library.

Gulf Shores' managing librarian, Wendy Congiardo, retires after 25 years in AL

GULF SHORES — After working as a librarian for 25 years, Wendy Congiardo retired from her position as managing librarian of the Thomas B. Norton Public Library, with her official last having …

Tea leaves and petal power: Camellias on the Gulf Coast - Cultivating the Coast with Kitti Cooper, presented by Saunders Yachtworks

If camellias could talk, they'd probably say, "Look at me!" And, honestly, who could blame them? These Gulf Coast divas are the full package: evergreen foliage, stunning blooms and a touch of …

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Obituaries
James “Bruce” Snellen, age 71, passed away on Nov. 26, 2024, in Robertsdale, Alabama.  He was a Vietnam Veteran who served for eight years. A Celebration of Life will be held in …
Barbara Jane Jones Sechrest was born in Oklahoma City Jul. 4, 1942, and danced into the arms of Jesus at her home in Elberta on Nov. 30, 2024. At almost three years old she was going to an orphanage …
Mrs. Kazuko Russell, age 76, of Foley, Alabama, passed away on Nov. 30, 2024. Funeral Service will be held Dec. 10, 2024, at 11 a.m. at Vernant Park Baptist Church in Foley Al., with visitation …

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Sports
Sports
Fairhope’s Brechman makes 4th-straight podium trip to highlight Baldwin County’s efforts at the AHSAA Swimming and Diving State Championships
Fairhope’s Riley Leonard bursts into the second level during the Pirates’ season-opening win over Spanish Fort on Aug. 20, 2020, at home. Four years later, Leonard finished the regular season with the fifth-most rushing touchdowns by FBS quarterbacks to help the Notre Dame Fighting Irish secure a spot in the inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff.
Fairhope alum Leonard helps Notre Dame clinch spot in first-ever 12-team College Football Playoff
The Orange Beach Sportsplex and Gulf Shores | Orange Beach Sports & Events will host the next three NAIA Men’s Soccer National Championship tournaments in 2025, 2026 and 2027 after they were selected by the association in a November 19 announcement. The same location previously crowned two men’s champions and nine women’s champions.
Orange Beach selected as host of next three NAIA Men’s Soccer National Championship tournaments for 2025, 2026, 2027
Sophomore Brody Cella and the St. Michael Cardinals hit the field at the new on-campus stadium in Fairhope for second-half action in the first round of the AHSAA State Football Championships on Nov. 7 against the Handley Tigers. St. Michael found the end of the road in the Class 4A semifinals against the Jackson Aggies, 49-28, Friday night on the road.
No. 1 Jackson advances to Class 4A state finals with 49-28 win over No. 5 St. Michael at home
St. Michael junior running back Noah Moss fights through arm tackles of Handley Tiger defenders during the Cardinals’ first-round home playoff game at the new on-campus stadium on Nov. 7. Moss ran for five touchdowns in St. Michael’s 42-25 quarterfinal victory over Fairfield to help extend the Cardinals’ historic postseason and push his season total to 31 rushing touchdowns through 11 games played.
St. Michael advances to first-ever state semifinal with 42-25 road win over Fairfield

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Baldwin County, Eastern Shore, Alabama Gulf Coast News
The Islander - Gulf Coast News

Thank you, Pastor Franks and the Island Church family

Christian Service Center's Children's Christmas Cheer is grateful to Pastor Franks and the Island Church family for their kindness and trust in allowing us to use their warehouse for our program's …

Gulf Shores, Orange Beach Rotary Club member sparks generous donation from local business to support veterans' families

GULF SHORES — The Rotary Club of Gulf Shores/Orange Beach recently witnessed the power of community collaboration and generosity when a heartfelt mission inspired an extraordinary act of giving …

Gulf Coast family navigates rare CTNNB1 diagnosis with determination and hope

ORANGE BEACH — If you know Crawford McWilliams, you know just how stylish she is and therefore how many hats she wears. Wife. Artist. Advocate. Foodie. Interior decorator. Businesswoman. …

Gulf Shores agreement with ALDOT will speed up Hwy. 59 construction permit approvals

GULF SHORES — Gulf Shores City Council approved a cooperative maintenance agreement between the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) and the City of Gulf Shores that allows for a …
With an overall district score of 95, Gulf Shores City School has tied with seven other schools for fourth place in the top report card scores in the state.

Gulf Shores City Schools state report card A among top in Alabama

GULF SHORES — Report card scores are out for the 2023-2024 school year, and Gulf Shores City Schools received an overall score of 95, which is four points higher than they scored last year. In …

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National and State Data Trends
Is a bottle of Macallan 1926 a better investment than a bar of gold? The RealReal used Knight Frank data to explore wearable luxury investment trends.
Being a quarterback is the toughest position in football. ATS.io compiled a ranking of the 10 best NFL rookie QBs since 1960 using data from StatHead.
The Onlooker - Central/North Baldwin

Coastal Pediatrics opens up new clinic in Summerdale

Downtown Foley Christmas Fest happening this weekend

Free Bike Rescue event rolls into Bay Minette

Silverhill Elementary School prepares for major move, new campus to open in 2025

Shoppers flock to Foley Art Center’s Trim-A-Tree market for unique holiday finds

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The Courier - Eastern Shore News
MICAH GREEN / GULF COAST MEDIA

Prodisee Pantry serves Thanksgiving turkey boxes to nearly 1,500 families across Baldwin County

Bayside Academy earns gold distinction on AP School Honor Roll

Decision on demolishing old Fairhope Hardware building delayed

Fairhope Farmer's Market closes for season

New Daphne Animal Shelter also a community center

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Local News
Mitchell Lee at the offices of Lee Charities in Foley.

Lee Charities and their mission for Baldwin County

Lee Charities is here to help the nonprofit and social services network within Baldwin County. The organization's work, which was created in 2024, has included connecting nonprofits through a …

Ascension Sacred Heart plans new freestanding emergency room in Perdido Key area

Ascension Sacred Heart is set to expand access to emergency medical services with the construction of a new freestanding emergency room in the Perdido Key area of southwest Escambia County. …

Baptist Health Care Foundation honors 2024 Hollinger Award recipients

Celebrating a tradition of generosity and community leadership, the Baptist Health Care Foundation announced the recipients of the 2024 Hollinger Awards at its annual meeting held Nov. 20 at the …

Bayside students shine in South Alabama Land Trust Photo Contest

Bayside Academy students captured the spotlight in the 2024 South Alabama Land Trust (SALT) Photo Contest, a competition celebrating the natural beauty of coastal Alabama through the eyes of amateur …
The students seemed excited to receive the new equipment as they applauded at the presentation of the car.

Baldwin Prep students receive 2024 Chevy Trailblazer from Terry Thompson Chevrolet

Students at the new Baldwin Preparatory Academy received a 2024 Chevy Trailblazer as a donation from Terry Thompson Chevrolet on Dec. 2. Terry Thompson said in the press release from the event, "We …

Religion column by Dr. Franklin L. Kirksey: Shepherds take heed

As Paul says farewell to the Ephesian elders, he exhorts them as follows: "Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the …

Municipal meetings throughout Baldwin County for the week of Dec. 9

Curious about when your city council or local board is meeting next? Whether you attend in person or follow along online, staying connected with your community starts here. This guide …

Local DAR chapter and Mayor LeJuene honor Gabriel Hunter with Community Service Award

The Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) have recognized Daphne local Gabriel Hunter as a nominee for their prestigious Community Service Award. The Ecor Rouge chapter of the DAR covers a …

American Christmas Tree Association offers tips for safe and careful holiday tree care

As the holiday season approaches, the American Christmas Tree Association (ACTA) is offering crucial advice for consumers to keep their Christmas trees — both live and artificial — safe …

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National and State Data Trends
Vivian Health shares 11 tips to add mental health and wellness practices into the daily routines of healthcare professionals.
Best Baby Names analyzed data from the Social Security Administration to see how celebrities can impact what parents name their children.
St. Michael senior Cooper Kurth hits the open field en route to a 33-yard touchdown catch from sophomore Gunner Rivers that gave the Cardinals’ a 20-19 lead with only 5:34 left in regulation against the John Carroll Cavaliers in the first regular-season game at the new on-campus stadium on Aug. 30. Kurth remembered dreaming about scoring a game-winning touchdown just like this one when he and his family traveled across Mobily Bay for treatments in his battle with Leukemia from kindergarten until third grade.

St. Michael senior, cancer survivor Cooper Kurth relishing Cardinals’ historic playoff football run

FAIRHOPE — Cooper Kurth remembers envisioning himself catching a game-winning touchdown when he and his family traveled across Mobile Bay for treatments in his battle against Leukemia from …
The 17th-annual Brett/Robinson Alabama Coastal Triathlon took over Gulf Place Public Beach in September. This year, 55% (455 athletes) of the competitors were first-time participants and 20% (166 athletes) were first-time triathlon racers.

Foley Sports Tourism, Gulf Shores | Orange Beach Sports & Events named winners of Sports Destination Management awards

When Sports Destination Management announced its Champions of Economic Impact in Sports Tourism, a pair of Baldwin County institutions were recognized. Foley Sports Tourism and Gulf Shores | …
Daphne Middle School took home an AHSAA state title after the Trojans won the Junior High Large Division on Wednesday, Nov. 20. Daphne Middle School was also represented in the Junior High Game Day Large division and finished eighth overall.

Orange Beach wins 4A Varsity Game Day State Cheerleading Championship, Daphne Middle wins Junior High Large division

While their job is usually to hype up the crowd, Baldwin County cheerleading teams had their community cheering for them as Orange Beach High School and Daphne Middle School returned with AHSAA State …
Mississippi College assistant head coach and offensive coordinator Joel Williams works with the Choctaws during early-season practices on campus. Most recently the offensive coordinator at Fairhope High School, Williams is now also searching for a new college home after Mississippi College announced the discontinuation of the football program Monday afternoon.

Baldwin County football alumni searching for new college homes after Mississippi College announces end of program

Four local football players who graduated from Baldwin County high schools are among the Mississippi College Choctaws who are suddenly searching for a new home after the school announced it was …
St. Michael senior captains including Cooper Kurth, Toby Edmiston and Rocco Faiupu walk out for the coin toss ahead of the Cardinals’ first-round playoff game against the Handley Tigers at their new on-campus stadium on Nov. 7. With a trip to the state semifinals on the line this weekend, St. Michael will square off with the Fairfield Tigers in the Cardinals’ first-ever quarterfinal appearance where they’ll be looking to improve upon a 7-0 record in away games this season.

State semifinal trips on the line as St. Michael, Bayside Academy hit the road for third-round matchups in AHSAA State Football Championships

With a trip to the state semifinals on the line, Baldwin County representatives including Bayside Academy in Class 3A and St. Michael Catholic in Class 4A were set to hit the road for a …
Bayside Academy junior Billy Neill looks for running room at the line of scrimmage during the Admirals’ Class 3A Region 1 contest against the Flomaton Hurricanes on Sept. 20 at Freedom Field in Daphne. The all-state linebacker used his fourth two-touchdown effort of the season as the Wildcat quarterback to help Bayside Academy earn a 23-7 win over Alabama Christian on the road Friday night in the second round of the AHSAA State Playoffs.

Bayside Academy, St. Michael advance to AHSAA football state quarterfinals

With their postseasons on the line, a pair of Eastern Shore squads leaned on their strengths and advanced to the state quarterfinals of their respective classifications with road wins Friday night.

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