Ruling allowing condos upheld

Sunday, September 30, 2007
By RYAN DEZEMBER, Mobile Press-Register Staff Reporter

The Alabama Court of Civil Appeals has upheld a Baldwin County judge's 2006 ruling that allows Orange Beach developer Larry Wireman to build the eastern half of his four-tower luxury resort, Turquoise Place.

A hotel and the estate of former landowners challenged the trial court's ruling, claiming that they own restrictive covenants -- limiting development to single-family homes -- on nine Gulf-front lots where Wireman plans to build a pair of 300-foot-plus towers.

Click here to see Birdseye-view of property from Microsoft Live Maps.

Click here to read the complete article from the Mobile Press-Register.

Orange Beach sued by Ken Wall

Ken Wall, convicted of bribing former mayor, says map error led to overpayment

Saturday, September 29, 2007
By RYAN DEZEMBER, Mobile Press-Register Staff Reporter

ORANGE BEACH -- Ken Wall, a developer serving a yearlong federal jail sentence for bribing former Mayor Steve Russo, has sued the city and its chief planner, claiming he overpaid for a sliver of land at Boggy Point because of an error on the municipal zoning map.

In turn Wachovia Bank, which lent Wall nearly $1.1 million in July 2005 to help him buy the parcel, has foreclosed on the property, bought it in an auction for $880,000 and is suing the developer for the remainder of the loan, or about $244,000.

According to the suit Wall filed in Baldwin County Circuit Court this summer, the 56-year-old said he paid $2 million for slightly less than an acre of wetland-surrounded land, believing, after a visit to City Hall, that it was unzoned property under the jurisdiction of Baldwin County, and not the city.

Click here to read the complete article in the Mobile Press-Register.

NOAA Swordfish/Billfish Online Reporting

September 28, 2007-- NOAA Fisheries announces the availability of internet reporting for recreational non-tournament landings of swordfish and billfish.

To simplify mandatory reporting, NOAA Fisheries is implementing a web-based portal where anglers can report landings of non-tournament Atlantic swordfish and billfish (Atlantic blue and white marlin and sailfish). The reporting of recreational landings plays an important role in effectively monitoring catch and effort directed toward Atlantic highly migratory species (HMS) and complying with international obligations.

Effective October 17, 2007, owners of HMS permitted vessels, or their designee, should report recreational non-tournament swordfish and billfish landings using a newly designed web-based reporting system at http:/www.hmspermits.gov to log-in and report a swordfish or billfish landing, vessel owners will need to provide: HMS Angling or Charter/Headboat category permit number; trip information (e.g. trip dates); and, catch and fishing gear/technique specifics.

After a landings report has been successfully completed, vessel owners will be provided with a confirmation number for each individual fish reported landed. There is an option to print the confirmation numbers or have them sent electronically to a personal email account. A swordfish or billfish landing report is not considered complete unless the vessel owner, or the owner's designee, has received a confirmation number.

The new web-based reporting system will be the primary reporting portal for recreational non-tournament swordfish and billfish landings; however, NOAA Fisheries will maintain and monitor the current toll-free reporting line to assist those vessel owners who do not have access to the internet.

As a reminder, owners of private vessels used to fish recreationally for Atlantic HMS, or on which Atlantic HMS are retained or possessed, are required to have an Atlantic HMS Angling category permit. Owners of for-hire vessels used to take anglers fishing for a fee are required to have the HMS Charter/Headboat category permit. For more information on the HMS Angling or Charter/Headboat category permit, log on to http://www.hmspermits.gov call the HMS Management Division's St. Petersburg office at (727) 824-5399. NOAA Fisheries also encourages all who fish for HMS to use circle hooks to help minimize injuries to, and mortality of, released fish.

NOAA Fisheries' HMS Management Division appreciates the cooperation of vessel owners in complying with these non-tournament recreational reporting requirements.

More Trophy Swordfish to come from the Gulf of Mexico is an article written and published by The Orange Beach Community Website that explains why it is important to report your swordfish and billfish catch.

House Approves Bill to Expand Flood Insurance Program

By Hugh Son and Erik Holm

Sept. 27 (Bloomberg) -- The U.S. House voted today to expand a federal flood insurance program to also include coverage for wind damage, a proposal that may reduce the role of private insurers in coastal areas.

The bill, approved 263 to 146, hasn't been voted on by the Senate. President George W. Bush threatened yesterday to veto the proposal, which his Office of Management and Budget called ``fiscally irresponsible.''

Click here to read the full story from Bloomberg.

Bridge plans pitched to public

Opponents fear financial failure, but mayor says he's confident development will justify span

Thursday, September 27, 2007

By RYAN DEZEMBER

Staff Reporter

ORANGE BEACH -- About a month after striking a deal with Goldman Sachs to split the cost of designing a bridge over Wolf Bay, city officials hosted a public meeting this week to update residents on the planned span.

This spring Florida-based Figg Engineering, which has a $5.7 million contract with Orange Beach and Goldman Sachs to design the bridge and a roadway linking the span to either U.S. 98 or Interstate 10, said that the project could cost as much as $110 million, depending on how far north the road extends.

But the engineer's study also concluded that the bridge could generate revenue up to four times that cost, via tolls, over 20 years.

Click here to read the complete article from the Mobile Press-Register.

Click here to see an aerial view of the proposed bridge landing in Orange Beach.

Coastal insurance legislation unveiled

Thursday, September 27, 2007
By Garry Mitchell
The Associated Press

IRVINGTON -- Legislation designed to help the Gulf Coast real estate industry and coastal homeowners hit by high insurance rates was unveiled Wednesday, but Gov. Bob Riley said there is no current consensus to address it in a special session.

The legislation, drawn up after damage from Hurricanes Ivan and Katrina made insuring coastal property far more expensive or unavailable, would create an authority to provide the insurance through an expanded "beach pool."

It would allow condominiums to use a form of self-insurance known as "captive insurance" and would provide tax incentives for hurricane-resistant home improvements.

Click here to read the complete article in the Montgomery Advertiser.

Proposal addresses state's coastal insurance concerns

Insurers would write more coastal policies to avoid penalties

Thursday, September 27, 2007

By DAN MURTAUGH

Staff Reporter

Proposed legislation unveiled Wednesday would force insurance companies to write more hurricane policies closer to the Gulf of Mexico in order to avoid penalties.

The bill would also give tax breaks to residents who make their homes more storm-resistant.

Click here to read the complete article from the Mobile Press-Register.

Doctorfish catch a first for Alabama

Thursday, September 27, 2007
By JEFF DUTE
Outdoors Editor

While taking a break from building a new church in Robertsdale, Moldovan missionary Pavel Malancea caught an Alabama-record 10.78-inch, 1.4-pound doctorfish Sept. 13.

The fish would also tie the existing world record, but Malancea has not yet begun the process of filling out the paperwork required by the International Game Fish Association to have it verified.

When Malancea brought the strange-looking fish over the side of David Baggett's 25-foot boat, the local members of his crew had no idea what it was, said Aubrey Grant, who set up the trip for Malancea and his nephew Vikalie Malancea.

Click here to read the complete article from the Mobile Press-Register.

Insurance bill to be released

Wednesday, September 26, 2007

By SEBASTIAN KITCHEN

Capital Bureau

MONTGOMERY -- Gov. Bob Riley will join state Sen. Ben Brooks and other legislators in Irvington today to unveil a bill intended to overhaul property insurance along the Alabama coast.

Key items in the bill will include restructuring and expanding beach pool coverage, offering tax breaks to homeowners who upgrade their properties to reduce the possibility of storm damage and allowing condominiums to use captive insurance, which provides a form of self-insurance.

Click here to read the complete story from the Mobile Press-Register.

Fire and Police Appreciation Dinner set for October 1st

In their annual event, the Orange Beach Community Center (click link for aerial view and map) Association is proud to host its Fire and Police Appreciation Dinner as each department recognizes its officer of the year and to recognized the entire departments for their dedication and hard work. The event and dinner is October 1, with the doors opening at 6pm for you to visit with friends and neighbors as the public is welcome to attend the potluck dinner.

The Association asks you to bring a vegetable or dessert to share with others. Dinner will be served at 6:30 followed by a short recognition presentation. For more information, contact Linda Tucker at 251-981-1942.

Wal-Mart FLW Kingfish Series Championship set for Orange Beach

ORANGE BEACH, Ala. (Sept. 24, 2007) — The $1.78 million Wal-Mart FLW Kingfish Series will stop in Orange Beach, Ala., Oct. 4-6 for the season-ending Wal-Mart FLW Kingfish Series Championship, where top teams from five divisions will compete for a top award of $70,000.

Team “Baitmasters” captained by Robert Ayelsworth of St. Petersburg, Fla., will lead the Gulf Division qualifiers in Orange Beach while Ron Mitchell of Port St. Lucie, Fla., will captain team “Bandit,” winner of the East Florida Division points race. Team “Intense” captained by Neal Foster of Mobile, Ala., is the No. 1 qualifier from the Upper Gulf Division, and team “King of Kings2” led by Bart Wetherington of Richmond Hill, Ga., is the top team from the South Carolina/Georgia Division. The top qualifier from the North Carolina Division, team “Wrench Head,” is captained by Kevin Lawson of Ramseur, N.C.

Overall, 125 teams, the top three from each of 15 qualifying tournaments and the top 16 in the points standings from each division, will compete in the lucrative championship.

“Things worked out well for us last year,” said captain Kevin Alexander of Conroe, Texas, whose team “Force 10,” from the Upper Gulf Division, will be looking to defend its 2006 FLW Kingfish Series Championship title in Orange Beach. “To win back to back title would definitely vindicate some of the bad luck from the tuff season we have had this year. We are going to give it our best shot. We are planning to put in our time and do a lot of homework. All my guys are pumped and ready to go. We are a group of hard workers, and we are very committed to what we do.

“I think the key to winning this event will be finding the right forage the kings are after and staying with them. The key will be to locate bait and stay close to it. With the weather the area is getting right now, a few fronts could scatter the fish and throw everything off.”

Alexander predicted that is would take a kingfish in the 40-pound range to make the top-five cut on Friday. He also said that teams will have to follow things up on Saturday with one about the same weight, making a prediction for 70 to 80 pounds to win.

The winning team will earn as much as $70,000 cash, which includes $30,000 for the win plus a $20,000 bonus from Hydra-Sports, Scarab, Seaswirl or Wellcraft and a $20,000 bonus from Evinrude or Yamaha if contingency guidelines are met.

The full field will compete Thursday, Oct. 4 and Friday, Oct. 5. The top-five teams based on the heaviest kingfish from either day will continue competition Saturday, Oct. 6. The winner will be determined by the total weight of the heaviest kingfish from Thursday or Friday plus Saturday’s catch.

Teams will take off and weigh in daily at The Wharf located at 23101 Canal Road in Orange Beach. Takeoff is at 6:45 a.m. Thursday and Friday with the scales opening at 4 p.m. Saturday’s final takeoff is at 7 a.m. followed by the weigh-in at 4 p.m. The FLW Kingfish Series Family Fun Zone will open at noon Saturday and will include a National Guard HD theater, rock climbing wall and Humvee display. Admission to all activities is free.

As points champions in their respective divisions, teams “Baitmasters,” “Bandit,” “Intense,” “King of Kings2,” and “Wrench Head” will also advance to the $500,000 Wal-Mart FLW Kingfish Tour Championship presented by BP in Biloxi, Miss., Nov. 2-4, where they will compete against the top 50 teams in the FLW Kingfish Tour Land O’Lakes Team of the Year points standings for a top award of $150,000.

The Kingfish Series Championship will be featured in a one-hour episode of “FLW Outdoors” broadcast to 80 million FSN (Fox Sports Net) households in the United States and more than 429 million households in such countries as Germany, China, South Africa, Australia, Malaysia, Russia, Hungary and the United Kingdom on Dec. 9. This reach makes “FLW Outdoors” the most widely distributed fishing program in the world. Additionally, FLW Outdoors is proud to provide tournament coverage to more than 800,000 service members stationed around the world in 177 countries and aboard Navy ships through broadcasts on the American Forces Network.

The Alabama Gulf Coast Sports Commission is hosting the event along with The Wharf, Brett-Robinson, Live Bait at the Wharf and the cities of Orange Beach and Gulf Shores. For more information, visit www.gulfshores.com.

Named after the legendary founder of Ranger Boats, Forrest L. Wood, FLW Outdoors administers the Wal-Mart FLW Tour, Wal-Mart FLW Series, Stren Series, Wal-Mart Bass Fishing League, Wal-Mart Texas Tournament Trail presented by Abu Garcia, Ranger Owners Tournament Championship Series, Wal-Mart FLW Walleye Tour, Wal-Mart FLW Walleye League, Wal-Mart FLW Kingfish Tour, Wal-Mart FLW Kingfish Series, Wal-Mart FLW Redfish Series and Wal-Mart FLW Striper Series. These circuits offer combined purses of nearly $43 million through 241 events in 2007.

City of Orange Beach Fall Public Meetings

Submitted by Ken Grimes, Special Projects Coordinator

Communicating current information on key projects underway in the City of Orange Beach led to the planning of the Fall Public Meeting Schedule which is underway.

On September 18 a crowd of nearly one hundred gathered to hear the facts and proposal regarding the proposed Old River Boat Ramp on the north side of Highway 182 east of the Caribe development. Mayor Pete Blalock and members of the city council answered questions following a presentation by Phillip West, Coastal Resources Manager, for the City of Orange Beach. Feedback in the session was overwhelmingly in favor of the proposed amenities with comments like “every person has the right to access the public waterways and we commend the city on planning such a first class facility with every detail in place to minimally impact the environment of the area” adds Gene Myers.

Next in the series of Fall meetings is the Monday, September 24th “Wolf Bay Bridge Meeting” at 6pm in the Orange Beach Community Center. Third is the Tuesday, October 2nd “Medical Services Update” meeting at 7pm in the Orange Beach Community Center. The final scheduled event is the Thursday, October 18th “Town Hall Meeting” at 6pm in the Orange Beach Community Center.

The Town Hall meeting is slated to be a general discussion of issues facing the city and updates on other activities. “The attendance at our first meeting on the proposed Old River Boat Ramp was strong and we encourage residents to attend these meetings on key projects for Orange Beach. Our goal is to communicate as much fact as we can while providing opportunities for input on each critical project” adds Jeff Moon, City Administrator for the City of Orange Beach. Moon adds “as a reminder for our citizens, the regular City Council meetings are held on the first and third Tuesday of each month at 5pm at City Hall and are open to the public.”

For more information be sure to check out www.cityoforangebeach.com or call the City’s InfoLine at 980-INFO for upcoming events and notices. Be sure to tell a neighbor about these important meetings on projects affecting Orange Beach for many years to come.

Gulf State Park plans millions in upgrades

Sunday, September 23, 2007

By RYAN DEZEMBER

Staff Reporter

GULF SHORES -- From its Gulf fishing pier to stands of longleaf pine, a series of projects are planned at Gulf State Park to repair lingering storm damage and update facilities.

What will make most of the work feasible is an anticipated $8.4 million in federal money doled out as part of the Coastal Impact Assistance Program, which distributes oil and natural gas royalties among fossil-fuel-producing coastal states.

Alabama and its two coastal counties stand to receive more than $51.1 million to spend as part of the project, and according to an early budgeting plan a substantial portion of that -- more than 16 percent -- is slated to be spent on Gulf State Park.

(Pictured above left to right, Phillip West, City of Orange Beach & Hugh S. Branyon, Alabama Gulf State Parks Superintendent.)

Click here to view the rest of the story from the Mobile Press-Register.

Change of Seasons Update to The Orange Beach Community Website

September 23, 2007 -- With the change of seasons, we thought it would be a good time to do some fall cleaning on The Orange Beach Community Website, and recap some of the recently added features. Over the summer, we added a lot of new features to the Website including Interactive Orange Beach Maps, a new Orange Beach Community News Service, with RSS Feed capability, the Orange Beach News Index, the Orange Beach Weather Index, and a custom Orange Beach Vacation Rental Search Engine, to mention a few. Below you will find additional information about each of these new features...

Interactive Orange Beach Maps: We have built several custom maps that show points-of-interest for anglers, vacationers, pet owners, and residents in Orange Beach. The Map List Page includes links to maps for Orange Beach's Finest Restaurants, Golf Courses, Fishing Charters, Pet-Owner Points-Of-Interest, Boat Launches, Public Beaches, and a custom map showing the location of all Condo Buildings in Orange Beach. Each of the custom maps contain push-pins with links to additional information about points-of-interest in Orange Beach.

Orange Beach Community News Service: This page contains up-to-date news specific to Orange Beach. Articles on this page are updated daily. This new Orange Beach Community News Service allows you to subscribe using RSS feeds. (Click here for more information about how RSS Feeds work and how to use them.)

Orange Beach News Index: This is an updated index of news sources related to Orange Beach. This page contains links to The Orange Beach Community Website's Current News, as well as the News Archives. You will find links on this page that will let you easily search worldwide news sources for news about Orange Beach.

Orange Beach Weather Index: On this page you will find weather information specific to Orange Beach, including local forecasts, radars, satellites, and tropical updates. This page also includes links to a Custom Weather Charts for Orange Beach. These charts include Sunrise & Sunset Times, Moon Phase, Moonrise & Moonset Times, Tide Charts and Schedules for Perdido Pass, as well as Average High & Low Air and Water Temperatures.

Orange Beach Vacation Rental Search Engine: This is a Custom Search Engine that helps visitors planning a trip to Orange Beach, locate accommodations in Orange Beach. This Custom Search Engine also benefits Vacation Rental Property Owners in Orange Beach because it only searches for vacation rental properties located in Orange Beach.

A Special Thank You to
The Orange Beach Community Website Sponsors
Click on the above link to see a list of the local businesses that support The Orange Beach Community Website. The support of these local businesses that make these services possible.

Please visit, support, and let these businesses know you appreciate what they are doing for the Orange Beach Community. With the continued support of our sponsors, we have a lot more useful features planned for The Orange Beach Community Website.

'Possession' new saltwater license basis

Thursday, September 20, 2007

By JEFF DUTE

Outdoors Editor

A new wrinkle in Alabama's saltwater fishing license regulations will bring the state in line with other Gulf states and provide additional revenue for marine resource management.

Alabama Marine Resources director Vernon Minton said when the Alabama legislature approved across-the-board hunting and fishing licenses fee increases, including raising the recreational saltwater license from $16 to $24, it also changed that license from a "take or attempt to take" license to a "possession" license.

Prior to the new regulation, Minton said it was possible for a non-resident to legally launch at an Alabama port, pass outside Alabama state waters, take or attempt to take fish on reefs built with Alabama money and return to an Alabama port without ever having to buy an Alabama saltwater license.

Click here to read the complete article from the Mobile Press-Register.

Lynyrd Skynyrd song turns Ala. tourist theme

ORANGE BEACH, Ala. (AP) — At the start of Sweet Home Alabama, Lynyrd Skynyrd singer Ronnie Van Zant shouts "Turn it up!" And that's what the state of Alabama plans to do with its new tourism campaign.

At a state tourism conference Monday on the Alabama coast, Gov. Bob Riley announced Alabama's tourism agency will use the line "Sweet Home Alabama" to market the state in 2008.

Click here to read the full story on the USA Today Website.

4th Annual Alabama Coastal BirdFest

The 4th annual Alabama Coastal BirdFest is fewer than six weeks away, and registrations are pouring in. “Many of our guided trips are filling up nicely. As in years’ past, we’ve got registrants from all over – from Georgia, Louisiana, Florida, Mississippi, Texas, Ohio, Illinois, and Kentucky, and from all across Alabama. People realize that this is a prime spot for birding during the fall migration and BirdFest is a great time to come visit,” said John Borom, president of Mobile Bay Audubon Society, one of the event sponsors.

This year’s festival is Oct. 18-21; it features18 guided birding tours to prime spots – by land and on the water –two evening events with great speakers, and a free, daylong Bird & Conservation Expo.

Guided trips include Fort Morgan and the Hummer/Bird Study banding site, Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge, Dauphin Island, Bayou La Batre and Forever Wild Grand Bay Savanna, boat trips on the A.E. Verrill, the Dauphin Island Sea Lab research vessel, boat trips in the Mobile/Tensaw River Delta, backyard birding, and more.

“This year, all of our trips will depart from 5 Rivers, Alabama’s new Delta Resource Center, located on the causeway between Mobile and the Eastern Shore, which makes it convenient to I-10 and close to many hotels and restaurants,” Borom said.

The evening events include an opening night reception at 5 Rivers, featuring a display or works by award-winning photographer Terry Hartley, and a Friday night BBQ & Seafood dinner and silent auction at the Nix Center in Fairhope, with keynote speaker, Dr. Geoff Hill, ornithologist, author, and professor at Auburn University.

The Bird & Conservation Expo includes hands-on activities, exhibits, demonstrations, giveaways, vendors, artists, films, lectures, and more. The Expo takes place on Saturday, Oct. 20, from 9 am to 4 pm on the grounds of Faulkner State Community College in downtown Fairhope; admission is free and open to all ages.

The guided trips and evening events require advance registration. To register or to view the complete schedule of trips and other events, visit www.alabamacoastalbirdfest.com. Registration and information is also available by calling 251-621-1902.

NOAA Fisheries Service Extends Interim Measures for Gulf of Mexico Red Snapper

NOAA Fisheries Service announces it is extending interim regulations for the Gulf of Mexico red snapper and shrimp fisheries. These interim measures are intended to address overfishing of red snapper in 2007. The temporary rule also amends regulations for the distribution of Gulf of Mexico red snapper 2008 individual fishing quota (IFQ) allocations.

Extension of Interim Measures
Interim measures may be implemented by the Secretary of Commerce to reduce overfishing until such measures can be replaced by a fishery management plan (FMP), FMP amendment, or regulations taking remedial action. These measures may remain in effect for no more than 180 days, but may be extended for an additional 186 days if the public has had an opportunity to comment on the measures and a fishery management council is actively preparing measures to address overfishing on a permanent basis.

NOAA Fisheries Service determined interim measures were needed to temporarily address overfishing of red snapper in 2007 while the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Gulf Council) developed additional, long-term measures to end overfishing and rebuild the red snapper stock. The final rule for the interim measures published on April 2, 2007, and these measures will expire on September 29, 2007.

In June 2007, the Gulf Council approved long-term measures to reduce red snapper harvest and bycatch. These long-term measures are proposed through Amendment 27 to the Reef Fish FMP and Amendment 14 to the Shrimp FMP (Amendment 27/14), which are currently under Secretarial review. Amendment 27/14 will not be implemented before the interim measures expire; therefore, NOAA Fisheries Service is extending the interim measures.

In summary, the interim measures to be extended will:

• Continue the commercial red snapper minimum size limit at 13 inches total length.

• Maintain the red snapper bycatch mortality reduction goal in the shrimp fishery to 50 percent of the bycatch mortality that occurred during 2001-2003.

• Maintain the total allowable catch of red snapper for 2007 at 6.5 million pounds (mp), resulting in a commercial red snapper quota of 3.315 mp

and a recreational red snapper quota of 3.185 mp.

• Maintain the recreational red snapper bag limit at two fish per person per day.

• Continue the prohibition of the captain and crew of for-hire vessels from retaining the recreational bag limit.

Distribution of IFQ Allocations
Amendment 27/14, if approved and implemented, will reduce the commercial red snapper quota from 3.315 mp to 2.55 mp. If the amendment is approved, the new lower quota (2.55 mp) may not be implemented in time for NOAA Fisheries Service to distribute 2008 IFQ allocations. In that case, NOAA Fisheries Service would have to issue allocation based on the higher quota currently in effect and then revoke some of the allocation later if the lower quota is implemented. This would be disruptive to the industry and administratively burdensome. Thus this final temporary rule amends the regulations to distribute and issue 2008 IFQ allocations based on the more restrictive 2.55 mp quota proposed in Amendment 27/14.

Please note: The proposed rule for Amendment 27/14 has not been published in the Federal Register yet. Once published, NOAA Fisheries Service will be seeking public comment on the rule.

Old River Boat Launch

September 21, 2007 -- As anyone who lives in, or travels around Orange Beach on busy summer weekends know, the two boat launches and parking areas are overloaded. Boat trailers lining up on the roadways and watercraft lined up at the launches clearly demonstrate that the Orange Beach boating community is in dire need of additional launch facilities. Following is an article that appears in today's Mobile Press-Resister...

City eyes Old River launch
Faced with protests from Ono, state officials hesitant to allow facility

Friday, September 21, 2007
By RYAN DEZEMBER, Mobile Press-Register Staff Reporter

ORANGE BEACH -- City officials unveiled plans this week for a $2 million public boat launch on a state-owned tract, but Alabama's top conservation official said he's unsure whether he'll approve the Perdido Key project amid protests from some Ono Island residents.

At a public meeting Tuesday night, about 70 people viewed plans for the facility, which would include five ramps into Old River just across the waterway from the western tip of the gated island community. City officials have long contended that a third public launch is needed to relieve overcrowding at facilities on Boggy Point and Cotton Bayou. On busy summer weekends, it's not uncommon for boat trailers to be parked haphazardly along roads leading to the ramps.

Click here to read the full story from the Mobile Press-Register.

TROPICAL WEATHER OUTLOOK

NWS TPC/NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL
530 AM EDT THU SEP 20 2007

FOR THE NORTH ATLANTIC...CARIBBEAN SEA AND THE GULF OF MEXICO...

SURFACE OBSERVATIONS INDICATE THAT A WEAK LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM IS
MOVING WESTWARD NEAR 10 MPH ACROSS CENTRAL FLORIDA. SATELLITE
IMAGES AND RADAR OBSERVATIONS INDICATE THAT THE ASSOCIATED SHOWER
ACTIVITY IS LIMITED AND DISORGANIZED AT THIS TIME. HOWEVER...THE
ENVIRONMENT IS GRADUALLY BECOMING FAVORABLE FOR A SUBTROPICAL OR A
TROPICAL CYCLONE TO FORM AS THE SYSTEM MOVES WESTWARD INTO THE
EASTERN GULF OF MEXICO LATER TODAY. LOCALLY HEAVY RAINFALL IS
POSSIBLE OVER PORTIONS OF THE SOUTHEASTERN U.S. DURING THE NEXT DAY
OR TWO. AN AIR FORCE HURRICANE HUNTER AIRCRAFT IS SCHEDULED TO
INVESTIGATE THE SYSTEM LATER TODAY. ALL INTERESTS ALONG THE
NORTHERN GULF OF MEXICO COAST SHOULD MONITOR THE PROGRESS OF THIS
WEATHER DISTURBANCE.

AN AREA OF CLOUDINESS AND THUNDERSTORMS LOCATED A FEW HUNDRED MILES
TO THE NORTH OF PUERTO RICO IS PRIMARILY ASSOCIATED WITH THE
REMNANTS OF INGRID. UPPER-LEVEL WINDS ARE NOT FAVORABLE FOR
SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENT OF THIS SYSTEM.

ELSEWHERE...TROPICAL CYCLONE FORMATION IS NOT EXPECTED DURING THE
NEXT 48 HOURS.

System could move into Gulf today

Thursday, September 20, 2007

By NADIA M. TAYLOR

Mobile Press-Register Staff Reporter

An area of disturbed weather moving across Florida could move into the Gulf of Mexico today and may develop into a tropical or sub-tropical storm, area forecasters said.

Jeff Garmon of the National Weather Service office in Mobile said Wednesday night that there was a broad low pressure system crossing the Florida peninsula, and it could move into the eastern Gulf or take a northwesterly jog.

"What the track will be is very uncertain," Garmon said. "We'll see how it goes."

Click here for the complete story from The Mobile Press-Register.

Click here to view Computer Models of the projected path.

Creative Writing Classes begin Today at Orange Beach Library

Harness Your Creativity and Plunge into Creative Writing with the Orange Beach Public Library

Haven’t started that book you’ve been meaning to write? Need direction? Here’s your chance to harness your creativity and plunge into creative writing. The Orange Beach Public library is offering five different lectures in creative writing. Each lecture will be held in the meeting Room of the Orange Beach Public Library from 5:30 p.m. until 7:45 p.m. This program is free and open to the public, but registration is required.

For more information or to register go to www.OrangeBeachLibrary.org and click on events or call the library at 251-981-2923.

Cross-Island Express Update

Thursday, September 20, 2007

By RYAN DEZEMBER

Mobile Press-Register Staff Reporter

ORANGE BEACH -- In preparation for an anticipated public unveiling of its specific plans to connect the Foley Beach Express to the Gulf-front via an elevated highway, the City Council on Tuesday approved an $80,000 contract with Figg Bridge Engineers to start designing the structure. Figg, a Florida-based engineering firm, is also employed by Orange Beach to design a bridge over Wolf Bay.

The contract approved Tuesday outlines Figg's responsibilities throughout the design process and construction, but the council only initiated the first part of the agreement, which calls on the company simply to gather data, develop conceptual plans and prepare graphics the city can use during presentations.

Click here to read the complete story in the Mobile Press-Register.

Special Election Results for Baldwin Senate Seat 32

September 12, 2007 - According to the Baldwin County Probate website, Trip Pitman has won the runoff election over Orange Beach Resident Randy McKinney by a roughly 56% to 44% margin. You can see a precinct by precinct breakdown on the above link. Republican Trip Pitman will face Democrat A.J. Cooper in the General Election on October 16. This is a special election to fill Alabama Senate Seat 32 vacated by Senator Bradley Byrne. This seat was vacated when Senator Byrne was appointed Chancellor of the Alabama Post-Secondary Education System by Governor Riley.

Orange Beach Library Receives Grant for Self-Checkout Station

The Orange Beach Public Library has been awarded a Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grant by the Alabama Public Library Service in the amount of $14,797 for the fiscal year 2008.

The Strengthening Information Technology Grant was submitted by Alisa McLeod and will be used for the purchase of a self-checkout station to help provide and improve services for library patrons. This project meets the library’s goals by creating and maintaining a progressive library environment.

The self-checkout system will strengthen the electronic infrastructure within the library for an increasingly service-oriented library. McLeod noted the self-checkout system will result in higher levels of patron satisfaction. Patrons should experience shorter checkout lines. In addition, normally tied to the circulation desk, staff will have more time to help people locate items, provide information and training, and answer questions. Once complete the project will allow patrons to choose between the self-checkout and traditional checkout by library staff.

The Orange Beach Public Library anticipates installation of the self-checkout station to be completed in June 2008.

The grant is funded by the Alabama Public Library Service under the Library Services and Technology Act, P.L.108-81, as amended, through the Institute of Museum and Library Services. For more information on self-checkout and the Orange Beach Public Library visit the library’s website at www.orangebeachlibrary.org or call 251-981-2923. The library is open Monday, Tuesday and Friday from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m., Tuesday and Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturdays 9 a.m. until 3 p.m.

Taste of the Islands was a Huge Success

September 9, 2007- The tropical culinary affair hosted by the Mystical Order of Mirams packed the house at the Caribe Resort last night. Restaurants from around the Alabama coast were on hand serving samples from their menus to event attendees.

"This came at the perfect time for us", said Bayside Grill's owner Will Eberlin, who is coming out with a new menu this fall. Based on the long line at Bayside Grill's table, their new menu items were a hit with the crowd.

The Mystical Order of Mirams, organized in 2006 by founders Dana Day, Erin Gatlin and Eva Keesee, will make the Taste of the Islands event an annual affair. In addition to the Taste of the Islands and their annual Mardi Gras Parade and Ball, the Mirams host a number of galas throughout the year. Proceeds from the Mirams events benefit area charities. A portion of the proceeds from the Taste of the Islands benefit the Soldier & Family Assistance Center.

For more info about the Mystical Order of Mirams visit their website at www.Mirams.info.

Special Election for Baldwin County Senate Seat 32

This is a run-off for the special election to fill Alabama Senate Seat 32 vacated by Senator Bradley Byrne. This seat was vacated when Senator Byrne was appointed Chancellor of the Alabama Post-Secondary Education System by Governor Riley.

There were five candidates running for the Republican nomination, and now the race has come down to Randy McKinney and Trip Pittman. Randy McKinney lives in Orange Beach; Trip Pittman lives in Montrose.

The lone candidate for the Democrat nomination is former Pritchard Mayor A.J. Cooper.

The General Election will be held on October 16, 2007.

Sportfishing Boat Hits Rocks & Sinks in Perdido Pass

by Alton Wallace

We want to offer a special Thank You to Officer Rick Miller and Sgt. Jody Kelly with the Alabama Marine Police, and to Officer Jason Whitlock and Cpl. Francis Fleming with the Orange Beach Marine Police for their help with this story.

Visit www.OrangeBeach.ws for more pictures.

August 2, 2007 - Orange Beach, AL- A Panama City, Fla. man was charged with boating under the influence Wednesday night after the sportfishing boat he was operating in Perdido Pass apparently strayed from the marked channel, hit submerged rocks and sunk in about six feet of water, according to the Alabama Marine Police.

Marine Police Public Information Officer Rick Miller said James Cooper, captain of the Tar Baby, a 61-foot Weaver, was arrested following the accident. Rather than going around the rocks and entering the marked channel, Miller said, the Tar Baby apparently attempted to enter the Pass from the east between the the jetties and the beach. Also on board was a deckhand, whose name was not disclosed, he said. No injuries were reported.

Francis Fleming, a corporal with the Orange Beach Police Department's marine unit, said a loud collision was reported at about 9:45 p.m. by someone staying at Grand Pointe Condominiums. A Coast Guard response vessel was dispatched from Pensacola along with boats from Alabama Marine Police and the Alabama Department of Natural Resources.

Miller said Marine Police officers should complete an investigation of the accident by early next week. At this point, it's not clear if the captain or the deckhand was operating the boat at the time of the accident, he said. "No one who has been drinking should drive a boat because the water is very unforgiving. And if you are going to drink, you've got to have a operator who is licensed to operate the vessel," Miller said.

The Tar Baby, whose value Miller estimated at more than $2.5 million, was in route to the Orange Beach Billfish Classic, a fishing tournament that began Wednesday.