Sunday, June 15, 2008
Staff Reporters
The barrier islands of Alabama and Mississippi, cultural touchstones that have shaped coastal life for generations, are disappearing with gathering speed.
Barrier islands naturally move, erode and grow, fed with sand that moves westward on the currents. But a report by the U.S. Geological Survey says that island chains in the northern Gulf of Mexico — from Mobile Bay in Alabama to Atchafalaya Bay in Louisiana — are disintegrating rapidly because of a lack of sand, rising sea levels and more frequent intense storms.
Mobile Press-Register
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Riley vows to fight for state's fishermen
Governor, conservation commissioner say Florida and Texas decisions on red snapper penalizing Alabama fishermen
Sunday, June 15, 2008
By JEFF DUTE
Outdoors Editor
ORANGE BEACH — While on an offshore fishing trip Friday, Gov. Bob Riley vowed to fight what he characterized as unfair federal management of red snapper stocks in the Gulf of Mexico that is hurting Alabama anglers and the charter fishing fleet.
Riley said he is concerned about the National Marine Fisheries Service's decision not to directly penalize Florida and Texas despite those states' decisions not to adopt federal snapper management regulations in their state waters for the past two years.
When the NMFS reduced the red snapper bag limit to two fish per person per day last year, Florida, Texas and Alabama decided instead to maintain state daily bag limits at four fish.
Mobile Press-Register
Sunday, June 15, 2008
By JEFF DUTE
Outdoors Editor
ORANGE BEACH — While on an offshore fishing trip Friday, Gov. Bob Riley vowed to fight what he characterized as unfair federal management of red snapper stocks in the Gulf of Mexico that is hurting Alabama anglers and the charter fishing fleet.
Riley said he is concerned about the National Marine Fisheries Service's decision not to directly penalize Florida and Texas despite those states' decisions not to adopt federal snapper management regulations in their state waters for the past two years.
When the NMFS reduced the red snapper bag limit to two fish per person per day last year, Florida, Texas and Alabama decided instead to maintain state daily bag limits at four fish.
Mobile Press-Register
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
No hiring Touart, at least for now
Ousted Escambia County, Fla., administrator was called best of 70 candidates, but mayor says decision will be left to city leaders elected in August
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
By CRAIG MYERS
Staff Reporter
ORANGE BEACH — Mayor Pete Blalock said Monday he has suspended an effort to hire ousted Escambia County, Fla., administrator George Touart as the city's next administrator and will leave that decision to the municipal leadership elected in August.
Several City Council members and Blalock said Monday that Touart, of Pensacola, was the most qualified of nearly 70 candidates to replace Jeff Moon, who left the position in April.
Blalock said he and the city's attorney were negotiating the details of a contract with Touart that would have been brought back to the council for a vote. But the process has ended, he said.
Mobile Press Register Article
Pensapedia- About George Touart
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
By CRAIG MYERS
Staff Reporter
ORANGE BEACH — Mayor Pete Blalock said Monday he has suspended an effort to hire ousted Escambia County, Fla., administrator George Touart as the city's next administrator and will leave that decision to the municipal leadership elected in August.
Several City Council members and Blalock said Monday that Touart, of Pensacola, was the most qualified of nearly 70 candidates to replace Jeff Moon, who left the position in April.
Blalock said he and the city's attorney were negotiating the details of a contract with Touart that would have been brought back to the council for a vote. But the process has ended, he said.
Mobile Press Register Article
Pensapedia- About George Touart
Sunday, June 8, 2008
ResortQuest now in Gulf Shores
Sunday, June 08, 2008
By KATHY JUMPER
Real Estate Editor
The locals will compete with a national firm for vacation rentals after the arrival of ResortQuest on the Alabama Gulf Coast.
"We're in a growth mode and setting it up for a strong future here," said Lino Maldonado, vice president of Northwest Florida operations, which is based in Fort Walton Beach, Fla. "We knew we needed to be in Gulf Shores. The product mix, all the entertainment venues, and the family atmosphere, it's a perfect niche."
ResortQuest is one of the largest firms managing and marketing resort condominium and home rentals in the United States. Its local rental management office is in the former Ono Professional Partners real estate building at 3145 Gulf Shores Parkway in Gulf Shores. Ono Professionals is now called ResortQuest Real Estate, and its 30 sales agents occupy the second floor of the building, according to broker Jeff McLaurin.
Much of the rental invento ry at the Gulf has been managed by two large companies, Meyer Real Estate and Kaiser Realty, and a handful of mom-and-pop operations. But there's plenty of business to go around, according to the resort managers. There are 15,263 condo units and hotel rooms available for rentals, according to the Alabama Gulf Coast Convention & Visitors Bureau.
"Bring it on," said Sarah Kuzma, a spokesperson for Meyer in Gulf Shores. "We're ready and can compete with anyone. If they bring some national attention to our area, that's positive." Meyer manages more than 2,000 properties in Alabama and Florida.
Mobile Press-Register
By KATHY JUMPER
Real Estate Editor
The locals will compete with a national firm for vacation rentals after the arrival of ResortQuest on the Alabama Gulf Coast.
"We're in a growth mode and setting it up for a strong future here," said Lino Maldonado, vice president of Northwest Florida operations, which is based in Fort Walton Beach, Fla. "We knew we needed to be in Gulf Shores. The product mix, all the entertainment venues, and the family atmosphere, it's a perfect niche."
ResortQuest is one of the largest firms managing and marketing resort condominium and home rentals in the United States. Its local rental management office is in the former Ono Professional Partners real estate building at 3145 Gulf Shores Parkway in Gulf Shores. Ono Professionals is now called ResortQuest Real Estate, and its 30 sales agents occupy the second floor of the building, according to broker Jeff McLaurin.
Much of the rental invento ry at the Gulf has been managed by two large companies, Meyer Real Estate and Kaiser Realty, and a handful of mom-and-pop operations. But there's plenty of business to go around, according to the resort managers. There are 15,263 condo units and hotel rooms available for rentals, according to the Alabama Gulf Coast Convention & Visitors Bureau.
"Bring it on," said Sarah Kuzma, a spokesperson for Meyer in Gulf Shores. "We're ready and can compete with anyone. If they bring some national attention to our area, that's positive." Meyer manages more than 2,000 properties in Alabama and Florida.
Mobile Press-Register
Saturday, June 7, 2008
Marlin scales receive no hits on opening day
BILOXI --The Mississippi Gulf Coast Billfish Classic entered uncharted waters on Friday.
For the first time in its 12-year history, the popular blue marlin tournament didn't see a billfish hit the scales during the opening round at the Point Cadet Marina in Biloxi.
"We did have reports of marlin tagged and released," tournament director Bobby Carter said. "We had reports that the Annie Girl out of Orange Beach, Ala., and the Sea Goddess out of Texas tagged a marlin each.
Sun Herald
Committee postpones BOE election decision
Saturday, June 07, 2008
By JOSH BEAN
Staff Reporter
ROBERTSDALE — Margaret Long wants a new primary election to determine the Republican Party's nominee for school board District 5, and Angie Swiger believes only the 142 voters who received the wrong ballot in Tuesday's election should get a second chance.
The two candidates, not to mention Baldwin County's residents, must wait a little longer to find out how their election dispute will be resolved.
On Friday, the Baldwin County Republican Party Election Committee postponed a decision, citing state law that no election can be contested until the results have been certified, said attorney Allan Chason, the legal counsel representing the committee.
Mobile Press-Register
Thursday's report from WKRG-TV5...
By JOSH BEAN
Staff Reporter
ROBERTSDALE — Margaret Long wants a new primary election to determine the Republican Party's nominee for school board District 5, and Angie Swiger believes only the 142 voters who received the wrong ballot in Tuesday's election should get a second chance.
The two candidates, not to mention Baldwin County's residents, must wait a little longer to find out how their election dispute will be resolved.
On Friday, the Baldwin County Republican Party Election Committee postponed a decision, citing state law that no election can be contested until the results have been certified, said attorney Allan Chason, the legal counsel representing the committee.
Mobile Press-Register
Thursday's report from WKRG-TV5...
Three gill nets hauled from Little Lagoon
Officers charge Foley man with illegal fishing
Saturday, June 07, 2008
By RYAN DEZEMBER
Staff Reporter
State conservation officers this week confiscated three gill nets in Gulf Shores' Little Lagoon, where the practice is banned, and charged two men with illegal fishing, authorities said.
Conservation enforcement officer Mark Phillips said Friday that the local Marine Resources office was tipped off about a gill netter plying Little Lagoon early Tuesday. When one officer spotted a truck belonging to the suspect parked along the estuary, others put their boat in and went searching for the fishermen at about 4 a.m.
"We eased the boat down to the west end and we saw the boat's spotlight," Phillip said.
Four people — three men and a woman — were aboard a 20-foot skiff tending to a 1,500-foot-long gill net, Phillips said. The officers made them haul in the net and pluck the fish — mostly croakers — from it before they were apprehended, Phillips said.
Mobile Press-Register
Saturday, June 07, 2008
By RYAN DEZEMBER
Staff Reporter
State conservation officers this week confiscated three gill nets in Gulf Shores' Little Lagoon, where the practice is banned, and charged two men with illegal fishing, authorities said.
Conservation enforcement officer Mark Phillips said Friday that the local Marine Resources office was tipped off about a gill netter plying Little Lagoon early Tuesday. When one officer spotted a truck belonging to the suspect parked along the estuary, others put their boat in and went searching for the fishermen at about 4 a.m.
"We eased the boat down to the west end and we saw the boat's spotlight," Phillip said.
Four people — three men and a woman — were aboard a 20-foot skiff tending to a 1,500-foot-long gill net, Phillips said. The officers made them haul in the net and pluck the fish — mostly croakers — from it before they were apprehended, Phillips said.
Mobile Press-Register
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Go Fish! Alabama’s Free Fishing Day on Saturday, June 7
Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) Commissioner designates a “Free Fishing Day” for the public to fish recreationally in public waters without a fishing license each year. Commissioner M. Barnett Lawley has designated Saturday, June 7, 2008, as this year’s Free Fishing Day. The law, approved by the Alabama Legislature, allows an annual free day of fishing when residents and non-residents may fish without a fishing license. 
“The annual Free Fishing Day is the perfect opportunity for non-anglers to test the fishing waters and to remind former anglers of all the fun they’ve been missing,” said Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division Chief of Fisheries Stan Cook. “It’s also a great opportunity for kids to get out and learn how fun and exciting fishing is, plus the day gives families a chance to do something together outdoors.”
According to the law, the usual fishing license requirement – both freshwater and saltwater – is exempt on that day only. However, some lakes or piers may still require fees and permits, and owner’s permission is required to fish private ponds.
Marine Resources Division Director R. Vernon Minton encourages saltwater anglers to cast a line and try their luck on June 7. “This is a great opportunity for people who have never fished in saltwater to see what it’s like,” said Minton. “We also encourage seasoned saltwater anglers to introduce new anglers to the sport.”
Those interested in saltwater fishing may pick up the free Alabama Marine Information Calendar featuring information on moon phases, sunset and sunrise times, Alabama’s artificial reef program, license schedules, fish creel limits, a tidal calendar, and much more. The calendars are available at the two Marine Resources offices located on Dauphin Island, 251-861-2882 and in Gulf Shores, 251-968-7576.
Several events, sponsored by the ADCNR Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division as part of the Community Fishing Program with support from local community partners, are planned around the State as a part of Free Fishing Day, June 7. These special fishing events, held during National Fishing & Boating Week, June 1-8, provide opportunities for families and friends to share fun and quality time together while learning about one of the Nation's favorite pastimes.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
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
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
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
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
Monday, May 26, 2008
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
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
Sunday, May 25, 2008
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
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
Saturday, May 24, 2008
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.
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.
Friday, May 23, 2008
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
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.
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.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
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.
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