Baldwin County, Alabama News and Discussion
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
April 15th, 2009 — Other News
Recent storms contributed to another sewage spill in our area. This time, Hollinger’s Creek in Baldwin County was overflowed. The sewage came from the Harry Still Sr. Wastewater Treatment Plant off of Hwy. 31 after heavy rain swept through.
The Baldwin County Health Department is not sure exactly how much sewage overflowed, but still warns people to be careful if they use Hollinger’s Creek for recreation. Any seafood caught there should be thoroughly washed and cooked. Remember to always wash your hands after handling the seafood
April 14th, 2009 — Other News
The state Senate District 22 GOP primary will be held today in 15 precincts of Baldwin as well as in seven other southwest Alabama counties.
Republicans Greg Albritton of Range, Judy Belk of Citronelle and Danny Joyner of Brewton are on today’s ballot, with the winner to face Democrat Marc Keahey of Grove Hill in special election June 2 (if a GOP runoff is not needed) or July 21 (if a runoff is needed.)
Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. today
April 12th, 2009 — Other News
Republican voters in Baldwin County will join those in seven other southwest Alabama counties Tuesday to start the process of filling the vacant state Senate District 22 seat.
Pat Lindsey, a Democrat from Butler, was the seven-term incumbent at the time of his death in January.
Nearly 15,000 Baldwin County residents are among an estimated 87,500 total voters in District 22, according to Alabama Secretary of State figures. It also covers all or parts of Mobile, Escambia, Conecuh, Monroe, Clark, Choctaw and Washington counties
April 12th, 2009 — Other News
The 2009 Atlantic Hurricane Season could produce fewer storms this year, according to Colorado State University forecasters. A CSU report, issued Tuesday and co-authored by Dr. Philip Klotzbach and Dr. William Gray, indicates the team is predicting an average season, with the Atlantic basin generating 12 named storms between June 1 and Nov. 30.
Six of the storms are projected to become hurricanes. Only two of those are expected to develop into major hurricanes (Saffir/Simpson Scale Category 3-5) , with sustained winds of 111 mph or more.
