Baldwin County, Alabama News and Discussion
March 2nd, 2011 — Other News
Entering its second year of incorporation, Baldwin County’s youngest municipality is on the cusp of establishing guidelines that would help define the town
A 112-page proposed land-use and zoning ordinance recommended by the Planning Commission in September would regulate everything from signage to manufactured homes.
March 1st, 2011 — Other News
The 2010 U.S. Census statistics released last week seem to contradict predictions in recent years that hurricanes and insurance woes would slow down Baldwin County’s growth south of Interstate 10, county leaders said Friday.
Baldwin County’s 30 percent population growth in the past 10 years mostly took place in the south part of the county, particularly in the Foley area, and along the Eastern Shore
February 25th, 2011 — Other News
The population of Baldwin County shot up nearly 30 percent in the past decade to about 182,260, according to U.S. Census Bureau data released this afternoon.
That was the second-highest growth rate of any county in the state. Among the state’s 67 counties, only Shelby County south of Birmingham grew at a faster pace — 36 percent, according to the 2010 census.
Census 2010: Baldwin County 2nd-fastest-growing county in Alabama
February 11th, 2011 — Other News
Months of members and employees working together in the wake of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill have led to renewed discussions of merging south Baldwin County’s two chambers of commerce.
The boards of directors of the Alabama Gulf Coast Area Chamber of Commerce and South Baldwin Chamber of Commerce sent letters to members this week asking their opinions on merging the two organizations.
The Alabama Gulf Coast Area Chamber of Commerce serves the Orange Beach, Gulf Shores and Fort Morgan areas. The South Baldwin Chamber serves Foley, Elberta, Summerdale, Magnolia Springs and the surrounding areas.
January 24th, 2011 — Other News
The prospects for action in Congress to address the troubled coastal insurance market may have dimmed, after the 2010 elections swept out two leading advocates for the issue and ushered in lawmakers focused on shrinking government and lessening regulations.
Gene Taylor, the Bay St. Louis Democrat who had pushed insurance overhauls for years, but who lost his U.S. House seat in November, expressed little hope.
Federal coastal insurance reform prospects dim after November elections
January 23rd, 2011 — County Government, Other News, State News
Here is the full content of the ethics complaint against State Senator Lee “Trip” Pittman and County Commissioner Robert E. “Bob” James.
Please note the file is over 47 Mb so will take some time to download.
If you can’t wait that long, here is an abridged version of 7Mb.
January 19th, 2011 — Other News
They were sent here by God… that’s what a lawsuit-filing evangelist family from Southern Alabama says about their recent trip to Northern Kentucky. They also say they’ll be coming back soon, because they’re now suing a number of entities in Northern Kentucky, including law enforcement, school boards and teachers for allegedly violating their civil rights.
Orlando and Glynis Bethel are well known in courthouses all over Southern Alabama. They’re responsible for dozens of lawsuits, and millions of dollars in claims against judges, schools, sheriffs … you name it, they’ve sued it. Now, they’ve set their sights and lawsuits on Northern Kentucky.
Earlier this month, when Keziah Bethel was arrested for causing a disturbance at Boone County High School, her parents showed up at the sheriff’s office with camera and lawsuit in hand.
Evangelists Target Northern Kentucky
Watch Glynis’ videos:
January 12th, 2011 — Other News
The Oil Pollution Act does not require companies responsible for the massive Gulf oil spill to pay for restoring consumer confidence in the tourism and seafood industries, the final report of the federal commission investigating the spill said.
As a result, Alabama must rely on the goodwill of BP PLC and the spill’s other responsible parties to fund such economic restoration efforts, according to the report, released Tuesday
Report: BP not required to fund some economic restoration efforts after oil spill
January 9th, 2011 — Other News
handful of new insurers have trickled into the coastal markets of Alabama and Mississippi in the last year, offering new options to some homeowners.
In Alabama, insurers have announced plans to cancel wind coverage for more than 50,000 policyholders since 2004′s Hurricane Ivan. Farmers Insurance Group, Allstate Corp. and Alfa Mutual group are in the process of making significant cuts.
January 7th, 2011 — Other News
British Petroleum, Transocean, Halliburton, all responsible for the largest offshore oil spill in U.S. History. According to the Oil Spill Commissions report it all could happen again if significant changes aren’t made by the industry and government.
“Not unexpected,” says Gulf Shores Mayor Robert Craft. “I think that we all assumed that there was some management responsibility from all different players so, not unexpected but glad to see that we are at least being honest with ourselves about the problem.”
January 5th, 2011 — Other News
The Weeks Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve will add 820 acres of wetlands in the largest addition to the facility since it was created in 1986
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
