Orange Beach police rape investigation goes forward

Chief expresses confidence in officers
Thursday, May 29, 2008
By RYAN DEZEMBER
Staff Reporter

Baldwin County authorities continue to investigate a woman's claims that she was raped by a trio of Orange Beach policemen, though neither District Attorney Judy Newcomb nor Sheriff's Department spokesman Maj. Anthony Lowery would discuss details Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Orange Beach Police Chief Billy Wilkins said that he is "confident" that none of the six officers on duty that night had any contact with the woman.

Mobile Press-Register

Orange Beach Fishing Reports

Mo Fishin Bait & Tackle
Weekly Fishing Report May 28, 2008

Inshore Fishing Report
The inshore fishing throughout the last week has proven to be a little tougher than most residents would care for. However, anglers still ventured out and managed to have some nice catches! With Memorial Day and the enormous number of boaters now gone, look for the fishing to pick back up and return to normal summer fishing! Look for drastic improvements beginning Saturday once the neap tides have ended.

Click here for the complete report.

Offshore Fishing Report
The blue water bite was thoroughly investigated this past weekend during the Memorial Day tournament. 109 boats blasted offshore last Friday night with high hopes of catching that winning fish! Unfortunately their can only be a handful of winners, but this didn't stop anglers from fishing every last second to the fullest of their ability. Mike Rowell aboard the Annie Girl took the tuna division with a 700.8 pound bluefin tuna!

Click here for the complete report.

THANKS AND GOOD FISHIN,
Captain Mo Shaver
Mo Fishin Bait & Tackle, Inc.

Talk about old school! From left to right- Tucker, Brent (Captain Bligh), and Me (Captain Mo Shaver) with a nice catch from Orange Beach dating back about 20 years ago!!

On behalf of Mo Fishin Bait & Tackle I would personally like to thank to all of our valued customers. We would not be here without your loyal support. Please feel free to email any ideas or suggestions that you would like to add to our newsletters. Thanks and Good Fishin!

Captain Mo Shaver
Mo Fishin Bait & Tackle
25637 Canal Road Unit F
Orange Beach, AL 36561
251.974.FISH (3474)
info@mofishin.biz

Local Beaches Packed

By GUY BUSBY
Staff Reporter

GULF SHORES — Crowds filled local beaches Sunday as the Memorial Day weekend continued.

Surf conditions were calmer than earlier in the weekend, but yellow flags, warning of moderate surf conditions, still flew at the Gulf Shores Public Beach. At the Alabama Gulf State Park, where George Burnett of Orange Beach drowned Saturday, red flags warned swimmers of hazardous conditions. On Friday, Michael Evans of Mississippi drowned at Orange Beach.

While some visitors said rising gas prices hadn't affected their holiday plans, others said they had chosen a more local getaway to save money.

Mobile Press-Register

700.9 lb Tuna landed on the Annie Girl

May 25, 2009-- Capt. Mike Rowell (left) with his former 1st mate and current angler, Truitt (right), bring home the sushi.

This huge 700.9 lb bluefin tuna was caught in a secret location about 130 miles south of Orange Beach.

Truitt fought the monster for more than 7 hours.

More photos, detail & video coming soon...


Click image for larger view.

Ethridge to run for Orange Beach mayor

Sunday, May 25, 2008

Staff Report

Former Orange Beach City Councilwoman Iris Gay Ethridge has announced her candidacy for mayor in the Aug. 26 municipal elections.

Ethridge, 71, was first elected to the Place 5 council seat in 1996 and retained it in 2000. She was defeated by Joni Blalock in her 2004 re-election bid.

The mayor's position is now held by Pete Blalock, who has not said whether he will run again. Former Councilman Tony Kennon has said he will also seek the part-time job, which carries a yearly salary of $27,562.63 plus 5 percent annual raises.

Mobile Press-Register

New Recreational Gill Net License Sales to End

May 23, 2008

Contact: Vernon Minton 251-968-7576

Effective June 1, 2008, no new recreational gill net licenses will be issued under legislation passed during the 2008 Legislative session and signed by Gov. Bob Riley.

Act 2008-467 limits recreational gill net licenses to those persons who hold or purchase current recreational licenses by midnight May 31, 2008.

Also included in the legislation is a provision that if a license holder fails to renew the recreational gill net license each year, the license will be retired. In other words, this means that if you don’t have a valid recreational gill net license as of midnight May 31, 2008 and you do not renew it each year, you will never be able to buy one again.

The legislation also included a restriction on deployment of a recreational gill net. The new provision stipulates that a recreational gill net may be a maximum of 300 feet in length and shall be set only by wading, which is defined as walking on the bottom, swimming, or treading water.

Also, by current regulation, the net may not be set more than 300 feet from the natural shoreline.

The legislation also created a surcharge of up to $8 in addition to the normal charge for annual resident and nonresident saltwater recreational hook and line licenses. The surcharge will be zero from June 1 to Aug. 31, 2008 and the surcharge for the 2008-2009 license year will be $8 per license. The legislation stipulates these monies will be collected for five years and placed into a Marine Resources Restoration Fund to administer a voluntary program to acquire and retire commercial gill net permits of commercial gill net fishermen.

The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources promotes wise stewardship, management and enjoyment of Alabama’s natural resources through five divisions: Marine Police, Marine Resources, State Parks, State Lands, and Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries. To learn more about ADCNR visit www.outdooralabama.com.

Experts recommend Alabama add lifeguards

Lifesaving Association recommends Alabama add lifeguards
Friday, May 23, 2008
By RYAN DEZEMBER
Staff Reporter

Last Wednesday, a late-morning call went out about a swimmer in distress off a private beach behind an Orange Beach condo complex.

As it happened some lifeguards from Destin, Fla., were at a nearby state-owned beach giving lessons to a group of local lifeguards and firemen on how to pull swimmers from the water while riding personal watercrafts.

"He was lucky they were there," said Orange Beach Aquatic Coordinator Melvin Shepard. "If they hadn't have been there doing training that gentleman would have had to rely only on the people there. There's only certain points firefighters can access the beach.

Mobile Press-Register

Concerns with Proposed Idle Speed Zones to be Addressed

May 22, 2008

CONTACT: Bob Huffaker
334-242-3673

Due to concerns expressed by anglers in Alabama with the idle speed zone provision passed by the Alabama Conservation Advisory Board, Conservation Commissioner M. Barnett Lawley said the proposed regulation will not be enacted until those concerns are addressed.

“In no way was this proposal by the Board designed to penalize or encumber the fishermen of Alabama in any way,” Lawley said. “It’s was strictly a safety measure designed to keep boat wakes from harming boaters, anglers and property owners along our abundant waterways.”

The proposed regulation would establish idle speed-only zones within 100 feet of any vessel which is moored, anchored, or adrift outside normal traffic channels, or any wharf, dock, pier, piling, bridge structure or abutment, person in the water, or shoreline adjacent to a full-time or part-time residence, public park, public beach, public swimming area, marina, restaurant, or other public use area.

Lawley said Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources officials are meeting with anglers to determine how to address the safety issues without causing hardships to the fishermen and boaters.

“If we cannot amend it to their satisfaction, then it will go no further,” Lawley said.

The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources promotes wise stewardship, management and enjoyment of Alabama’s natural resources through five divisions: Marine Police, Marine Resources, State Parks, State Lands, and Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries. To learn more about ADCNR visit www.outdooralabama.com.

Beach Rape Investigation Expands

WKRG.com Video

Forecast tools used at WKRG-TV5

Here's an interesting story about the high-tech tools used by WKRG-TV5 in Mobile to forecast weather in our area.

WKRG.com Video

Alleged Rape in Orange Beach

WKRG.com Video

2008 Miller Lite Mack Attack

The first King Mackerel event of the season is just a few short hours away and getting closer by the minute. The 2008 Miller Lite Mack Attack is set for May 23 and 24 in Perdido Key, Fl. The mandatory Captain’s Meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. Friday, May 23 at Hub Stacey’s at the Point — 5851 Galvez Rd. Pensacola FL 32507 — and registration closes at 9 p.m. The scales will be open at Lost Key Marina and Yacht Club — host site for the event — from 3 to 7 p.m. Saturday, May 24 and the awards will be presented at Hub’s at 6 p.m. Sunday, May 25.

The Mack Attack not only signals the beginning of what promises to be a stellar season of fishing along the Gulf Coast, it also provides several unique features to set it apart from the crowd. King Mackerel, Cobia and Amberjack will be the target pecies and all boats registered before May 19 will be eligible for a free artificial reef courtesy of Pensacola Reef Builders.

Set at Perdido’s Lost Key Marina — 10045 Sinton Dr. Pensacola FL 32507 — the Mack Attack is unique in location alone. Add kayak and pier divisions as well as bonus awards for the top lady and junior anglers as well as a target weight bonus and categories for single-engine boats and vessels 23 feet and under in length, and you have one of the most entertaining events on the water. The public is invited to attend the weigh-in and get a chance at great prizes and giveaways as well.

Entry forms and tournament brochures are available throughout the Pensacola area
at most bait and tackle stores. For more information, contact tournament director Brad Sauers at (850) 723-8834 or e-mail him at bradsauers@bellsouth.net.

Click here for more information.

Wrapup from the Conservation board meeting

EUFAULA -- Members of the Conservation Advisory Board wrapped up a tight, tidy and efficient 2 1/2 hour meeting Saturday with a flurry of proposals including tightening of shark fishing regulations at Orange Beach and Gulf Shores.

A previous regulation issued last week included vague wording that has been clarified and tightened. Blood bait and chumming for sharks is prohibited within 300 feet of the shoreline, either from the beach or from a boat, and that includes bow fishing (from shore or boat).

"We don't want to put anyone in harm's way or negatively impact (legal) fishing," said Vernon Minton, chief of the Alabama Marine Resources Division. He and Maj. John Jenkins have met or talked with other Gulf of Mexico state agencies about trying to establish some kind of regulation to tighten shark fishing -- which can be a problem if people don't use common sense -- and said Florida's officials are interested in Alabama's regulation.

"We will be the first state with a workable solution that does not negatively impact legal fishing," Jenkins said.

Mobile Press-Register

Editor's Note: We have not seen the new regulation as it has been rewritten, but will publish it here as soon as it is availabe.

Former Cop Found Dead

WKRG.com Video

Shelby Supporting Fishing Industry

Shelby Announces $75 Million for Commercial Fisheries Industry

WASHINGTON, DC Thursday, May 15, 2008—U.S. Senator Richard Shelby (R-Ala.), ranking member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice and Science, today announced that $75 million will be included in the Fiscal Year 2008 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations bill to aid the struggling fishing industry around the nation.

“As a result of the volatile 2005 hurricane season and the drought that continues to plague the southeastern United States, Alabama fisheries have taken a significant economic and ecological hit,” said Shelby. “These recent events, compounded with high fuel prices and increased restrictions on the fisheries, have created a cumulative effect that has shrimpers and fishermen struggling to stay in business. This funding will provide much needed assistance to an industry that is a vital part of the Alabama economy.”

These funds may be used to alleviate expenses related to fishery failures, fishery resource disasters and regulations on the fishing industry.

ST. PETER'S FISH FRY/SANDSPUR CONCERT

WHEN : Tuursday, JUNE 5, 2008 5-7pm

WHERE: St Peter's Episcopal Church
6270 Bon Secour Hwy
Bon Secour, AL

CONTACT: 251-949-6254
www.stpetersofbonsecour.com
email: stpeters@gulftel.com

Come on out to Bon Secour for the St. Peter's of Bon Secour Episcopal Church Fish Fry! Take the night off from cooking and enjoy delicious food as well as some bluegrass gospel music from the Sandspur Band coming to us special from the Gulf Shores United Methodist Church!

These ladies and gentlemen really know how to fry up some great fish and it'll make you want to come back for more. And what's better than not having to cook, eating some great food and some good old bluegrass gospel music? No cleanup!
The St. Peter's Of Bon Secour Episcopal Church's Fish Fry's are held the first Thursday of the month May through September at St. Peters of Bon Secour Episcopal Church starting at 5:00 p.m. and ending at 7:00 p.m.

A donation of $8.00 per plate is requested. Each plate includes fried mullet, baked beans, potato salad, slaw, bread, tea and a delicious homemade dessert. The donations provide for the church's various outreach programs, such as Ecumenical Ministries, Camp Beckwith, Habitat for Humanity and many others. So come on out for a night off from cooking and help us support these worthy causes. For more information please contact:

St Peter's Episcopal Church
6270 Bon Secour Hwy
Bon Secour, AL
251-949-6254
www.StPetersOfBonSecour.com
email: StPeters@gulftel.com

Orange Beach police investigating death

Orange Beach police are investigating the death of a 34-year-old man who they found collapsed in his apartment early Monday morning.

An autopsy performed earlier this week by the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences in Mobile came back inconclusive as to how Donald Matthew Moody died, Orange Beach Police Chief Billy Wilkins said Thursday. And investigators now must wait on the results of toxicology reports, Wilkins said.

Mobile Press-Register

Perfecting the art of steaks and oysters at Nix at The Wharf

Finding a good steak and baked oyster is fairly easy to do in Pleasure Island. But to find outstanding food staples like those is a bit more challenging. It's like the martini — any bartender can sling one, but it takes that special touch to stand out. Such is the case at Nix Steaks and Oysters, the new eatery and premier live entertainment venue on Main Street at The Wharf, and they're quickly earning a solid reputation for their superb steaks and baked oysters and other menu items.

The menu was the collaborative vision of Sherry Odom, director of operations at Nix, restaurant designer Karen Hameroff and Nix owner Nick Dorich. The menu is also reflective of Dorich's Mississippi and Louisiana Gulf Coast background where he was in the nightclub and food business. Something Dorich wanted to do with Nix was successfully cater to the locals.

Pensacola News Journal

News Five Investigates: Cost Vs. Benefit

WKRG.com Video

Regata al Sol

The Regata al Sol is a sailboat race from the Gulf Coast to Isla Mujeres Mexico. Twenty-three boats are participating in this year's race.

You can watch the progress of the race online by clicking here. This website lets you view various data received from each of the participating boats.