Baldwin County, Alabama News and Discussion
September 22nd, 2009 — Other News
On the same weekend President Barack Obama commented on the military’s request to sent more troops to Afghanistan, a mother received the Purple Heart in honor of her son.
Lance Corporal Bruce Ferrell, 21, was killed in Afghanistan last month by an improvised explosive device, or IED.
“I don’t think they should be over there. That’s just a momma speaking, that doesn’t want her child in harm’s way,” said Pam Ferrell.
September 11th, 2009 — Other News
Three of Alabama’s four largest home insurers are raising rates, although State Farm Fire & Casualty Co., the state’s largest, is giving coastal residents something of a break.
No. 1 State Farm, No. 2 Alfa Mutual group and No. 4 Farmers Insurance Group — the firms that have won state approval for increases — together control 57 percent of the state’s homeowners market.
Company officials said costs to policyholders will vary on where they live, their house and other factors. All said the rate increases are meant to make sure they have money to cover future losses
Three of the four largest homeowners insurance companies in the state are raising their rates
September 1st, 2009 — Other News
United Way of Baldwin County announced today that its fundraising goal this year will be a record $1.1 million, up from $1,038,750 last year.
United Way of Baldwin County provides support for 44 agencies serving area residents.
August 23rd, 2009 — Other News
Some 4 months old, the town of Perdido Beach, though still without laws, money or even a City Hall, now has leaders.
On Thursday evening, members of the inaugural town council took their oath of office in a half-hour ceremony at the Perdido Beach Baptist Church.
About 100 people filled the small church, meaning that nearly 20 percent of Baldwin County’s least populated municipality turned out to see Mayor Patsy Parker and council members Al Thompson, William Kelley, Ronnie Resmondo, Patti Larsen and Dennis Kaiser sworn in by Baldwin County Probate Judge Adrian Johns
August 20th, 2009 — Other News
An Indiana investor and pilot accused of crashing his plane in Milton, Fla. to fake his death was handed his sentenced Wednesday.
Marcus Schrenker will spend 51 months in federal prison and was ordered to pay restitution to the U.S. Coast Guard for their search and rescue efforts.
August 18th, 2009 — Other News
The first mayor and council of the new town of Perdido Beach will be sworn in this week after an October election was canceled when each race drew only one unchallenged candidate, Baldwin County officials said.
Incorporation was approved in April and a municipal election was set for Oct. 6. But when the July 13-31 qualifying period ended, there was only one candidate in each spot, county officials said
August 17th, 2009 — Other News
The Alabama Marine Police arrested five people Saturday on charges of minor possession of alcohol, according to Marine Police Lt. Michael Coleman.
The arrests were part of a special enforcement detail that was organized after the Marine Police received numerous complaints about illegal alcohol and drug use, lewd conduct, trespassing, disorderly con duct and vandalism along the river, Coleman said
August 14th, 2009 — Other News
Insurance is a major issue along the entire Gulf Coast, not just Alabama, and officials in several states are working together to resolve issues such as cost, availability and concerns that legislation could increase rates in areas away from the coast, state Rep. Steve McMillan, R-Gulf Shores, said Thursday.
Addressing a meeting of the South Baldwin Chamber of Commerce in Foley, McMillan said officials are sharing information from studies and looking at combining resources in insurance pools in efforts to help residents and businesses.
“The Mississippi insurance commissioner (Mike Chaney) described it as the No. 1 quality of life issue on the Mississippi coast and the No. 1 economic issue and as far as I can determine that’s about the way it is here too,” McMillan said. “It’s having a real ripple effect
August 11th, 2009 — Other News
Bruce Ferrell, Jr., 21, was a member of Fox Company - 3rd Platoon, and had been deployed to Afghanistan in May. His patrol had left their Humvee and were on foot when a roadside improvised explosive device, or IED, detonated and took his life.
Officials told the Ferrells that their son was initially listed as missing in action, but his body was later recovered. This is the second time the family has had to cope with the loss of a child.
August 6th, 2009 — Other News
The school year starts Monday, but many students and parents haven’t yet finished their back-to-school shopping. Some may have been having too much summer fun to think about school, but others say they are waiting for the upcoming tax-free weekend to buy their students’ khakis, pencils and backpacks.
From 12:01 a.m. Friday to midnight Sunday, shoppers can buy designated items without paying the 4 percent state sales tax. Baldwin County will also suspend its 2-cent tax on those items and all municipalities except Magnolia Springs and Silverhill will also waive local taxes.
Any clothing items priced at $100 or less, school supply and some office supply items priced at $50 or less, books under $30 and even computer equipment at $750 or less will be tax exempt.
August 5th, 2009 — Other News
As many as 23 percent of Baldwin County’s children and working-age adults may lack health insurance, according to figures issued this week by the Census Bureau. In Mobile County, the number could reach 17.7 percent.
The new figures — based on 2006 projections for all U.S. counties — come at a time that President Barack Obama pushes for extensive changes in America’s health care system.
Theresa Atkins, development director at Victory Health Partners in Mobile, a medical clinic that treats those without insurance, said she believes the numbers have swelled during the economic difficulties of the past two years
August 4th, 2009 — Other News
The Baldwin County Commission has adopted Resolution 2009-76, which allows the exemption of Baldwin County sales and use tax for certain items such as school supplies, computers and clothing.
The Sales Tax Holiday will begin at 12:01 a.m., Friday, August 7, 2009, and continue through 12:00 a.m., Sunday, August 9, 2009.
For a complete list of items that will be exempt, according to the Alabama Department of Revenue Rule No. 810-6-3-65, visit the Baldwin County Sales & Use Tax link .
August 4th, 2009 — Other News, Spanish Fort
Baldwin County teacher Gene Ponder on Monday became the second Republican to declare his candidacy for the 2010 Alabama lieutenant governor’s race.
Ponder, who teaches history at Spanish Fort High School, joins state Sen. Hank Erwin, R-Montevallo, who launched his campaign in April. The winner of the GOP primary is expected to face Lt. Gov. Jim Folsom, a Democrat who is seeking re-election next year.
Ponder has never held public office and lost two campaigns for the state House of Representatives, running as a Libertarian and a Democrat
Baldwin County teacher seeks GOP nomination for lieutenant governor
July 30th, 2009 — Other News
The United Way of Baldwin County received a check for more than $300,000 from the settlement of a class action lawsuit against a number of national chain drug stores.
The lawsuit netted more than $1 million for local charities.
Wright Drugs in Foley filed the initial suit in 2002 against other larger drug stores claiming some discount pharmacy cards were unfair to customers.
July 28th, 2009 — Other News
The 2009 hurricane season has been quiet so far, but with the most active part of the year just ahead, local emergency agencies said they want residents to be prepared if that changes.
The Fish River-Marlow Volunteer Fire Department will sponsor a hurricane expo Saturday at the group’s station on Baldwin County 32.
The free event from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. will include displays from the Baldwin County Emergency Management Agency, American Red Cross, local building materials suppliers and firefighters, said Gib Hixon, Fish River fire chief
