JANUARY

Daphne gets new fire chief
DAPHNE — Retired Mobile District Chief LeAnn Tacon became Daphne's fifth fire chief Jan. 4, the first woman to head the department. Tacon replaced Melvin Brown, a former Birmingham battalion chief, who was hired in June and resigned in December. Brown was hired to replace James "Bo" White who retired at the end of December 2019 after 12 years as chief.

Daphne girls win state wrestling title
DAPHNE — Daphne High School emerged as team champion at the first statewide AHSAA girls-only wresting tournament.

Gulf Shores wins money to fix Hwy 59
GULF SHORES — Gulf Shores was awarded $2 million in grant funding for improvements to Hwy. 59 from the state's transportation rehabilitation and improvement program. The improvement will add a third southbound lane from Coastal Gateway Boulevard to Cotton Creek Drive.

Strawberry Festival canceled again
LOXLEY — For the second year in a row, the Baldwin County Strawberry Festival in Loxley was canceled over concerns due to the coronavirus. A benefit for ARC of Baldwin County and Loxley Elementary School, the festival draws more than 50,000 visitors each year and raises an average of $8,000 each year for its two beneficiaries.

State investigates Robertsdale nursing home after large COVID-19 outbreak

ROBERTSDALE — The Alabama Department of Public Health conducted an infection control survey at Robertsdale Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center on U.S. 90 in Robertsdale after more than 40 residents and 20 employees tested positive for COVID-19 over a two-week period.
A report by ADPH on Feb. 26 cited a lack of testing at the facility. The center had 140 cases, including at least four deaths, between December and February.

Roach appointed CEO of South Baldwin Regional Medical Center
FOLEY — Eric Roach assumed the title of CEO of South Baldwin Regional Medical Center on Jan. 18. Soon after, the hospital received a certification of need approval from the Alabama State Health Planning and Development Agency allowing it to move forward to finalize design work on its $186 million project to expand and modernize. The construction project is the largest ever undertaken at the hospital.

FEBRUARY

COVID-19 cancels Mardi Gras
DAPHNE — COVID-19 continued to hit Baldwin County stopping many 2021 Mardi Gras celebrations. Parades and balls were canceled along the Eastern Shore, at OWA, Orange Beach and Gulf Shores.

Legendary Foley High School coach Ivan Jones dies
FOLEY — Ivan Jones, longtime educator, administrator and coach at Foley High School, died at his home Feb. 3 at the age of 94. Jones spent 35 years as a teacher, coach and administrator at FHS, including 14 seasons as Foley's Head Coach, compiling a record of 108-28-3 with back-to-back undefeated seasons in 1961 and 1962 in which the Lions were declared state champions.

Gulf State Pier re-opens, again

GULF SHORES - Gulf State Park Pier opened after renovations one day before Hurricane Sally hit on Sept. 16, 2020. The pier was destroyed again in the storm. A portion of it reopened to the public in February 2021.

Spanish Fort post office closes
SPANISH FORT – The city of Spanish Fort lost its post office when the U.S. Postal Service closed the facility Jan. 15 despite local pleas to keep it open. Spanish Fort postal patrons now must go to the Daphne Post Office on Daphne Avenue.

Officials break ground on ALDI warehouse
LOXLEY — Ground was broken for a new regional headquarters and distribution center at the intersection of County Road 49 and Industrial Park Drive for ALDI, one of America's fastest-growing retailers. The 564,000 square-foot office and warehouse, which is scheduled for completion in 2022, is set to bring approximately $100 million in capital investment in Baldwin County.

Robertsdale High School 2020-21 Teacher of the Year dies from COVID
ROBERTSDALE — Robertsdale High School 2020-21 Teacher of the Year recipient William Peck died Feb. 14 from complications of COVID pneumonia at a Pensacola hospital. A native of Louisiana, longtime resident of Elberta and graduate of the University of South Alabama, Peck spent his entire career as a social studies teacher at RHS, teaching government and economics.

MARCH

Orange Beach principal resigns amid cloud of questions
ORANGE BEACH - Orange Beach High School Principal Erika McCoy resigned from the Baldwin County Public School System one month after being placed on paid administrative leave. The Baldwin County Board of Education voted Feb. 25, 2021, to approve McCoy's resignation. The board voted without comment on an unpublished list of resignations and McCoy's name was not released until after the meeting.

Safe Harbor Animal Coalition opens facility
FOLEY - The non-profit Safe Harbor Animal Coalition began operations from its new facility which houses a prepping room, surgery center, a recovery room, an isolation room for animals with illnesses, three large rooms for adoptable cats to stay, as well as staff and utility rooms. Safe Harbor and local rescue organizations work towards a goal of reducing the feral and stray cat population in Baldwin County.

Former Foley Mayor Arthur Holk dies
FOLEY - Former mayor of Foley and lifelong Foley resident Arthur Holk passed away on March 13 at the age of 95 after suffering a major stroke. Before him, his father served as the fifth mayor of Foley. Arthur Holk was elected to the city council in 1952, where he served for 20 years before being elected as Foley's fifteenth mayor. He went on to serve as mayor for 20 years.

APRIL

Fairhope raises trash rates
FAIRHOPE – Residents and businesses in Fairhope began paying more for garbage collection. The city increased residential rates from $15.80 a month to $20. Business fees increased from $20.26 to $25.

Amazon cancels Baldwin County plan
SPANISH FORT – Amazon considered plans to build a distribution center on Bass Pro Drive, but the company later canceled the plan. The facility would have employed about 115 people, according to city officials.

Silverhill resident tapped for Purple Heart Patriot Project

SILVERHILL — In April, Silverhill resident Edward P. "Ed" Evans was tapped as Alabama's honoree for the 2021 Purple Heart Patriot Project. The multi-day salute to service brought together Purple Heart recipients representing each state and territory in the nation.

Ono Island fire station holds groundbreaking
ONO ISLAND - The groundbreaking ceremony for the new Ono Island Fire Station No. 4 was held April 14. The new 6,085 square foot facility will be built across the street from the existing station.

Summerdale plans fire station
SUMMERDALE - Summerdale approved a bond issue of $3,135,000 for the new Summerdale Volunteer Fire Station. The station will be located at the corner of Highway 73 and Highway 32.

RHS students receive first Tim Cook scholarships
ROBERTSDALE — Seven 2021 graduates from Robertsdale High School were the inaugural recipients of $7,500 scholarships donated by Apple CEO and RHS graduate Tim Cook.

Alabama maintains congressional seats after census count
The Census Bureau announced the 2020 resident population in the U.S. with data showing total population in each of the 50 states. The population numbers from individual states are used for apportioning the seats in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Fairhope Arts and Crafts Festival presses on

FAIRHOPE – More than two years after the last celebration, artists, visitors and vendors lined downtown streets for the Fairhope Arts and Crafts Festival and Eastern Shore Art Center Outdoor Arts Show that began April 30. The events have been held each March in the past but were canceled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 outbreak and postponed in 2021.

Foley Boys & Girls Club opens
FOLEY - The Foley Boys & Girls Club opened after a merger between the Boys & Girls Club of South Alabama and the Snook Youth Club finalized. The Boys & Girls Club of South Alabama returned to Baldwin County after withdrawing from the area approximately 15 - 20 years ago due to cost and economic downfall. The location in Foley marks the first Boys & Girls Club to return to the county.

MAY

Orange Beach girls' softball claims state title

ORANGE BEACH - The Orange Beach High School girls' softball team won the 2A State Championship trophy. It was the team's first year as a varsity program. The young team was comprised of mostly seventh, eighth and ninth graders. The Makos defeated 10-time State Champions Pisgah to clinch the title.

Schools end year maskless
Baldwin County Schools ended the 2020-2021 school year with masks removed after a downtrend in cases across Alabama through the spring months. It was a celebrated end to a school year that began with uncertainty as thousands of students moved to the virtual school to avoid COVID-19 exposure. Graduation ceremonies were also held across the county without restrictions.

New law limits city's reach
SPANISH FORT - The Alabama Legislature passed Senate Bill 107, sponsored by Sen. Chris Elliott, R-Spanish Fort, which sets police jurisdictions and establishes regulations for how far a city can exercise its planning jurisdiction to enforce subdivision regulations. Under the law, a city can exercise a planning jurisdiction as far as three miles outside the corporate limits. On Jan. 1, 2023, that jurisdiction will be reduced to a maximum of 1.5 miles, he said.

Traffic lights synced on Hwy 59
FOLEY - The Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) performed a synchronization project on Foley traffic lights along Highway 59. Which allows all the signals to be green simultaneously, allowing for improved traffic flow.

Elberta's first class graduates
ELBERTA - Elberta High School held its first graduation ceremony celebrating over 130 seniors. The ceremony finished with a surprise firework show. The inaugural senior class received approximately $4 million in scholarships.

JUNE

Deputy drowns on Fort Morgan
FORT MORGAN — In June, Baldwin County Sheriff's Deputy William "Bill" Smith died while attempting a water rescue of a swimmer in distress on Fort Morgan Road. Smith was the first Baldwin County Sheriff's Deputy to die in the line of duty since 2012.

Orange Beach buys a beach
ORANGE BEACH – The city of Orange Beach finalized the historic purchase of over 4 acres of beachfront property, part of a public-private collaboration between the city and Orange Beach Land Company, LLC.

OWA builds indoor water park

FOLEY - OWA continued major expansion projects, including the ongoing construction of the future indoor water park, expected to open spring 2022. The entire expansion is approximately $70 million.

Officials break ground at Imperial Dade Logistics Hub in Loxley
LOXLEY — Dade Logistics broke ground on a 220,000 square foot logistics hub that is set to bring more than $20 million in total investment and 55 jobs to Baldwin County.

600 homes repaired by volunteers
SUMMERDALE - Ecumenical Ministries' program Repair Baldwin completed its 600th home repair project in 7 years.

Foley market voted best in nation
FOLEY - The Coastal Alabama Farmer's and Fisherman's Market was voted as one of the 2021 USA TODAY 10 Best Reader's Choice Award Winners for Best Farmers Market.

Magnolia Springs begins drainage study
MAGNOLIA SPRINGS - The Magnolia Springs Town Council began developing strategies to combat the town's drainage issues and alleviate the problems for citizens.

JULY

Robertsdale celebrates Centennial
ROBERTSDALE — The city of Robertsdale kicked off the celebration of the city's 100th anniversary with events on July 4 at the PZK Hall and Garrett Park. Additional events, including a chili cookoff and booth, were held at the city's Honeybee Festival on Nov. 6. A Centennial Parade is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 19, followed by the Centennial Ball following the theme "Roaring 20s" which is set for Feb. 26 at the PZK Hall.

Freestanding Emergency Department opens in Gulf Shores
GULF SHORES – The ribbon was cut on the South Baldwin Regional Medical Center's Freestanding Emergency Department, a 14,000 square-foot facility, open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Foley votes to collect impact fees

FOLEY - The Foley City Council approved the implementation of an impact fee on new developments within city limits. Funds collected will be put towards improvements to city parks and streets.

North Baldwin Chamber director resigns
BAY MINETTE —Ashley Jones Davis resigned as director of the North Baldwin Chamber of Commerce after 9 years in the position in July to accept a job with JJPR in Daphne. Kristina Angelone-Pittman, who had previously worked as coordinator of special events and projects at the Chamber, was named as her replacement.

Foley improves Beach Express
FOLEY - The Foley council voted to enter into an agreement with the Alabama Department of Transportation to make improvements to the Foley Beach Express. Planned improvements included shoulder widening, super elevation corrections and rumble strips.

Mack named state's Sheriff of the Year
Baldwin County Sheriff Huey "Hoss" Mack was named 2021 Sheriff of the Year by the Alabama Sheriff's Association.

AUGUST

COVID-19 cases surge, temporary morgues arrive
FOLEY - A refrigerated trailer was placed at South Baldwin Regional Medical Center in anticipation of rising deaths due to the continued spread of the Delta variant of COVID-19. Over the summer intensive care units and emergency departments across the county were overwhelmed with Coronavirus patients. The large volume of deaths caused funeral homes to reach capacity leaving hospitals nowhere to store the bodies.

Census shows rapid growth in Baldwin
More results were released for the 2020 Census, revealing Baldwin County as the fastest-growing county in Alabama. Over the last decade, Baldwin County welcomed 49,502 new residents to the area, growing from a population of 182,265 in 2010 to 231,767 in 2020. These numbers show a 27.16 percent population increase over the course of ten years. Gulf Shores is the fastest growing city in Alabama, followed by Spanish Fort in second, Fairhope in fourth, and Foley in seventh.

Bridge project put on hold
GULF SHORES - A proposed bridge connecting the Foley Beach Express to State Highway 180 East was put on hold after leaders agreed to a three-month negotiating period with the Baldwin County Bridge Company.

Freshman Academy opens in Fairhope

FAIRHOPE – The first ninth-grade academy intended to take growth pressure off crowded campuses and provide freshmen with an easier transition to high school opened in August at Fairhope High School. Another academy building is under construction at Daphne High School. The facilities are the first of a series of academies planned for schools across Baldwin County.

Hurricane Ida hits
SPANISH FORT – Hurricane Ida missed Baldwin County, but the surge from the storm covered the Mobile Bay Causeway, closing the highway, on Monday, Aug. 30. The storm caused about $750,000 in damage in Baldwin County, which was not enough to allow the area to qualify for federal disaster assistance.

Foley fire chief named best in state
FOLEY - Foley Fire Chief Joey Darby was recognized as Fire Chief of the Year for the State of Alabama by the Alabama Association of Fire Chiefs.

Fairhope starts sewer system improvements
FAIRHOPE – Fairhope moved forward with plans for sewer system improvements, requesting about $10 million in funds from the federal RESTORE Act.

Mental Health Court receives donation
BAY MINETTE — In August, two days after legislation to perpetually fund a Mental Health Court in Baldwin County took effect, the Baldwin County Legislative Delegation presented a $100,000 grant to start immediate funding for the program. After almost a decade of waiting, Baldwin County is now able to offer direct help to people with mental health issues through its newly created Mental Health Court.

Loxley meets requirements to become a city

LOXLEY — The town of Loxley's population rose from 1,632 in 2010 to 3,710 in 2020, an increase of 127.3 percent, officially making it a city. Town leaders began the transition to city operations this month.

Cattle industry pioneer George Campbell dies
ROBERTDALE — A pioneer in the cattle industry George William Campbell, known by many as "Uncle George" died Aug. 15 at the age of 80 in Robertsdale, where he lived his entire life. Campbell worked at the Robertsdale Livestock Auction from the time it opened in 1950, until the final auction was held in 2014; served as a Board member of the Baldwin County Cattle and Fair Association for 40 years, including many years as president and was a longtime member of the Baldwin County Cattlemen's Association, having been named a lifetime Board member; and was a charter member of the Baldwin County Sheriff's Posse and a 25-year member of the Robertsdale Masonic Lodge #821.

Fourth Robertsdale High ROTC cadet receives high honor
ROBERTSDALE — Robertsdale High School Naval Junior ROTC cadet Ashlynn Simmons received the Legion of Valor Bronze Cross for Achievement, the highest honor a Navy Junior ROTC cadet can earn. It is the fourth time a Robertsdale cadet has received the award. Only two are handed out each year in Area 8, which includes 49 schools and over 5,000 cadets from Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and the Florida panhandle.

SEPTEMBER

Cities set development moratoriums
DAPHNE – City officials in Daphne and Fairhope set moratoriums on new development during 2021. The Daphne City Council restricted changes in zoning for apartments, mid-rise condominiums, townhomes and planned unit developments for six months. The Fairhope City Council voted in December to set a one-year moratorium on new subdivisions in the city planning jurisdiction outside the municipal limits.

St. Benedict's celebrates a century
ELBERTA - St. Benedict's Catholic School celebrated its 100th Anniversary on Sept. 6, 2021.

National Shrimp Festival canceled again
GULF SHORES - The 49th Annual National Shrimp Festival was cancelled. It was the second year the event was put on hold due to COVID-19.

Fairhope names justice center for Petties
FAIRHOPE – On the 20th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, Fairhope renamed the city's justice center for former Police Chief Joseph H. Petties. Petties served the city of Fairhope for almost 36 years, starting in the Public Works Department before joining the Police Department and working his way up through the ranks to chief in 2012. He left the position in 2018.

Orange Beach Performing Arts Center opens

ORANGE BEACH – THE $11 million Orange Beach Performing Arts Center welcomed theater goers for the first time as student actors took the stage for their production of Disney's Frozen, Jr. The facilility includes a 710-seat main stage auditorium with an orchestra pit, a 200-seat black box theater and classrooms.

Cities begin long-range plans
FAIRHOPE – Residents and officials in Fairhope and Daphne began working on comprehensive land-use plans to prepare for growth in the upcoming decades. Fairhope began public meetings on the city plan on Sept. 22. Daphne held its first meeting in November.

Orange Beach Elementary recognized nationally
ORANGE BEACH - Orange Beach Elementary was one of five schools in Alabama recognized as National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2021. Only 325 schools across the U.S. received the designation.

Central Baldwin voters approve 3 mil tax for schools
ROBERTSDALE — By less than two dozen votes, residents in Central Baldwin County approved a 3-mil property tax that will be used to fund education opportunities for local students.

Baldwin County Fair celebrates 70 years
ROBERTSDALE — The Baldwin County Fair, held at the Fairgrounds, Coliseum and Arena in Robertsdale celebrated its 70th anniversary after being canceled last year due to COVID-19.

OCTOBER

Spanish Fort to create delta nature center
SPANISH FORT – Spanish Fort received $8.5 million from the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act to create a park and nature center on a 142-acre parcel south of Bay Minette Creek at the entrance to the Mobile-Tensaw Delta.

Foley announces plans for parks, library
FOLEY - The City of Foley announced plans to modernize all city parks with ADA equipment, modern playground equipment, LED lighting and new facilities. The city also unveiled plans for a new public library at a cost of $8 million to be completed by 2024.

Fairhope medical center construction begins

FAIRHOPE – Construction began on the USA Mapp Campus at the southeast corner of Alabama 104 and Alabama 181 that will include a surgery center and medical office building. Work should be complete in about two years.

School growth continues
As new subdivisions spring up on the Eastern Shore, Baldwin County school officials are working to keep up with growing enrollment in the area with the most rapid population increases in Alabama's fastest growing county, local officials said. Bill Harbour, planning and redistricting coordinator for the Baldwin County School System, said the Spanish Fort, Daphne, Fairhope feeder patterns contain nearly 43 percent of newly occupied homes. The same three feeder patterns contain nearly 83 percent of the available lots, not developed lots, and these same three feeder patterns contain nearly half of all the new students added since 2017.

Citizen's Academy opens
ELBERTA - The first graduating class of the Elberta Citizen's Academy graduated. The program gives residents a chance to work with Elberta police officers face to face and learn about the department.

Foley Main Street wins awards
FOLEY - Foley Main Street received two awards during the Main Street Alabama Annual Conference, for the annual Snowbird Coffee, and for Excellence in Public Relations for the Downtown Foley Branding public relations campaign.

Elberta Police Chief retires
ELBERTA - Elberta Police Chief Clif Roberts retired after 30 years in law enforcement. He was named Elberta police chief in 2018 and was instrumental in the formation of the Elberta Citizen Police Academy and the construction of the town's new saferoom. Assistant Chief Brandon Booker was appointed the interim police chief.

NOVEMBER

Students dedicate art to veterans
GULF SHORES - Gulf Shores High School students unveiled a Turtle Tracks public art project as a memorial honoring Vietnam Veterans. The turtle can be viewed at the Gulf Shores Museum.

Gulf Coast Eco Center breaks ground
GULF SHORES - The Gulf Coast Eco Center for Ecotourism and Sustainability (Gulf Coast Eco Center) broke ground. The center is funded through $9.7 million in RESTORE Act funds and will be located adjacent to Gulf Shores City Schools and Gulf State Park. It will offer a range of camps, classes and recreational activities for school groups, residents and visitors.

South Baldwin Workforce Training Campus takes shape

GULF SHORES – A task force is lobbying towards bringing the South Baldwin Workforce Training Campus to life. The $210.5 million project includes 1,000 transient housing units for seasonal workers.

Air Traffic Tower opens
GULF SHORES – The air traffic control tower was opened at the newly renamed Gulf Shores International Airport. The airfield will be known as Jack Edwards Field.

DECEMBER

MPOs endorse bridge plan

DAPHNE – After discussing the project throughout the year, the Eastern Shore Metropolitan Planning Organization voted unanimously Dec. 15, to endorse a plan that would call for the Interstate 10 bridge over the Mobile River and the new Bayway to be built in one phase over the next five years instead of three phases taking a total of 25 years. The Mobile MPO also unanimously endorsed the same proposal. The plan would include a possible toll of up to $2.50.

Dredge spoil wetlands site proposed near Causeway
SPANISH FORT – City Council members said they want more time to study a proposal to use material dredged from Mobile Bay to build a 1,200-acre wetland south of the Causeway.

Gulf Shores votes to increase lodging tax
GULF SHORES - The Gulf Shores City Council voted unanimously in favor of the 3% lodging tax increase implemented over a two-year period. A 2% lodging tax increase will go into effect Sept. 1, 2022, for an overall lodging tax rate of 15%. An additional 1% increase will go into effect Sept. 1, 2023, for an overall lodging tax rate of 16%.

Mystery cannon found in Spanish Fort
SPANISH FORT – A large iron cannon excavated in Spanish Fort is scheduled to go on display at City Hall in 2022. In the four years since the gun was found, experts have not been able to confirm its age or origin.

Pocket park planned in Foley
FOLEY – If approved, the small park will be built beside Foley Middle School, and will include an amphitheater, a tree buffer along Highway 98, and permanent musical instruments to be placed beside the handicap accessible stage.