Perdido Bingo plans approved by committee | pnj.com | Pensacola News Journal

Perdido Bingo plans approved by committee | pnj.com | Pensacola News Journal: "A Dallas developer is now an easy step away from building an electronic bingo hall on Perdido Key."

Cy Keefer's site plan for a bingo-casino was approved Wednesday by the Escambia County Development Review Committee.

More than 50 people showed up at the committee meeting to follow the fate of the controversial bingo-casino. Of the 20 who spoke at the meeting, two were in support. The rest asked that the approval be delayed.

Fireworks show could face fizzle - al.com

Fireworks show could face fizzle - al.com: "GULF SHORES — Typically around this time of year, the City Council makes an unheralded and little-debated decision to fund a Fourth of July fireworks show off the public beach. But this year the decision to pay $45,000 for one of the tourism season's key attractions is getting a second thought.

That's not to say that Gulf Shores is likely not to have a July 4 fireworks show — City Council members indicated during a work session Monday that they'd pinch pennies elsewhere if need be. But the hesitation shown by council members, who opted to postpone a decision on funding the display until next month, underscores how the budget crunch has elected officials considering spending that was once considered automatic, even mundane."

Baldwin will get $2.1M for projects - al.com

Baldwin will get $2.1M for projects - al.com: "BAY MINETTE — Baldwin County will receive $2.1 million for three needed projects in the new federal budget, but county commissioners said Tuesday that they were disappointed in local highway funding in the new stimulus package.

The county will receive $1 million for a flood elevation study. The Baldwin Rural Area Transportation System also gets $950,000 for improved bus facilities. The federal budget also includes $150,000 for the Fort Morgan State Historical Site, said David Brewer, assistant county administrator."

Foley Bank Hoax - Alabama Foley Bank Robbery Wachovia - WKRG.com

Foley Bank Hoax - Alabama Foley Bank Robbery Wachovia - WKRG.com: "The search is on for the person responsible for a phone call that sent police to a Foley bank with guns drawn ready to confront a bank robber with hostages."

WKRG.com

Annual Powerboat Races Cancelled for 2009 - Alabama Economy Beach Gulf - WKRG.com

Annual Powerboat Races Cancelled for 2009 - Alabama Economy Beach Gulf - WKRG.com: "GULF SHORES and ORANGE BEACH, Ala. – The Gulf Coast Powerboat Association (GCPA) announces that the 7th Annual Thunder on the Gulf has been cancelled due to the current economic environment. Originally scheduled for August 13-16, 2009 in Orange Beach, Ala., these powerboat races have become a summer tradition for many families.
“This cancellation is disappointing news to our board members, race fans and local charities that benefited from funds generated by Thunder on the Gulf,” said John Brunick, president of the GCPA. “This decision by our board of directors was extremely difficult but we believe it was the best decision under the circumstances.”"

WKRG.com

Rumors of senior bowl moving to FL | Fox10tv.com

Rumors of senior bowl moving to FL | Fox10tv.com: "MOBILE, Ala. - The Senior Bowl has been a Mobile tradition for almost six decades, but rumor has it, the game could be looking to 'graduate' to an NFL city. 'But that hasn't been verified with us,' said Ladd-Peebles Stadium Board of Directors, Milton Joyner. 'So, we don't really know.'"

Gulf Shores – A Southern Paradise - Tuesday, March 17, 2009 - Copyright 2007 Ourtribune.com

Gulf Shores – A Southern Paradise - Tuesday, March 17, 2009 - Copyright 2007 Ourtribune.com: "As neither of us had visited here before, we didn’t know what to expect. Here’s what we found: powdery, sugar white beaches, crystalline, aqua blue water, a fabulous condo, dolphins, Jimmy Buffet’s sister, shopping, sunshine and lots of inexpensive, out-of-this-world seafood. The Gulf Shores-Orange Beach area has an Austin-like ambiance with an upscale feel. It is casual and laidback – a perfect retreat for couples, singles or families."

Breaking new ground: Alabama's captive plan aims to lower homeowners premiums

Captive insurance companies traditionally insure commercial lines, but Alabama is on track to creating a new use--a captive that provides homeowners insurance to residents of its hurricane-exposed coastal municipalities.

"It's an interesting concept," said Denhis Harwick, president of the Minneapolis-based Captive Insurance Companies Association. "The nature of the beast is commercial lines rather than personal lines. I suspect that's something that regulators would be leery of. Their comfort level with captives involves the fact that they have sophisticated consumers who are essentially self-insuring, and that obviates a lot of the consumer-protection role that a regulator has."

Click here to read the full article.

Montgomery Gentry in Concert at The Wharf July 4th

Montgomery Gentry in Concert at The Wharf July 4th: "March 16, 2009 - Orange Beach, AL - The Gulf Coast’s premier 4th of July celebration will continue this year with The Wharf’s 4th Annual “Fourth at The Wharf” event. What has been called the largest and most spectacular celebration in the Southeast, this annual event has become a tradition for local residents and vacationers. Each year, thousands fill The Amphitheater at The Wharf for an evening of rousing, patriotic entertainment. This year, The Wharf has partnered with Grammy nominated, country sensation Montgomery Gentry for a live concert at The Amphitheater at The Wharf on Saturday, July 4th as a part of The Wharf’s Pepsi Star Series."

BALDWIN COURT DIGEST - al.com

BALDWIN COURT DIGEST - al.com: "BAY MINETTE — An Orange Beach man who faced theft and ethics charges for using his authority as a city official for personal gain after Hurricane Ivan could walk away from the situation without a conviction, according to a plea agreement with the Baldwin County District Attorney's Office.

Homer 'Xan' Carvan Jr., 46, was arrested in 2006 on charges of theft of lost property and using his temporary position as an officer with the city for personal gain. The cases were based on law enforcement contentions that Carvan took a Jet Ski recovered by the city after Hurricane Ivan in 2004."

Orange Beach Full Of Art - Orange Beach Art Festival - WKRG.com

Orange Beach Full Of Art - Orange Beach Art Festival - WKRG.com: "It was a weekend of color and music and Orange Beach. Hundreds waited out the rain to catch a glimpse of the annual Orange Beach Festival of Art. This year's event featured a singer-song writer stage. Organizers say that helped bring attendance up from last year's levels. They say the biggest draw is having so many different types of art all in one place."

WKRG.com

Fairhope man gets picture on 3 million Cheerios boxes However, General Mills gets athlete's home state wrong - al.com

Fairhope man gets picture on 3 million Cheerios boxes However, General Mills gets athlete's home state wrong - al.com: "A Fairhope man is coming to a cereal box near you.

Patrick Peterson — a three-time gold medal winner in weightlifting and wheel chair racing — is featured on 3 million boxes of Cheerios cereal. General Mills, however, got Peterson's hometown wrong. The cereal producer listed it as Fairhope, Alaska, not Alabama.

The mild-mannered Peterson is not discouraged easily. He noticed the mistake when the company shipped him a case of cereal boxes with his image as a keepsake."

Missing Boater Found - Florida Coast Guard Miami Missing Boater - WKRG.com

Missing Boater Found - Florida Coast Guard Miami Missing Boater - WKRG.com: "According to the U.S. Coast Guard, 69-year-old Robert Jackson, Jr., and his 45-foot sailing boat, the 'Sun Song,' were found safe nine miles south of Mobile Sunday morning."

Baldwin Co. ranked No. 2 in growth | montgomeryadvertiser.com | Montgomery Advertiser

Baldwin Co. ranked No. 2 in growth | montgomeryadvertiser.com | Montgomery Advertiser: "MOBILE -- A magazine that tracks economic development projects nationwide has named Baldwin County 2008's second most successful non-metro area at growing and attracting business."

The county tied with Tupelo, Miss., for the No. 2 spot on the annual list that ranks 600 areas with more than 50,000 people but no large cities. Baldwin County had for years been a part of the Mobile metropolitan area, but is now designated the Daphne-Fairhope-Foley micropolitan area by the U.S. Census Bureau.

The ranking appears in Site Selection's March online issue.

Greg Brown : LuLu's at Homeport Marina : Restaurant in Gulf Shores Alabama

Greg Brown : LuLu's at Homeport Marina : Restaurant in Gulf Shores Alabama: "Come to LuLu’s every Sunday afternoon and you will find Greg Brown on stage performing! He has progressed into an amazing songwriter, showing off his talent through his new album “On A Full Moon”, that is receiving rave reviews from his local fans. The album is said to have a definite feel of Jimmy Buffett’s laid-back lifestyle, and is a “must have” for the serious collector. Greg’s music is heartfelt and soulful; he definitely owns the stage with his acoustic guitar!"

Mammal expert to talk whales - al.com

Mammal expert to talk whales - al.com: "ORANGE BEACH — Not long ago, the crew of a local charter boat spotted killer whales while on a fishing trip, prompting questions around town about some of the Gulf's larger inhabitants, said Coastal Resources Director Phillip West.

To that end, city officials are bringing one of the northern Gulf's most prominent marine mammal experts, Keith Mullin, to Orange Beach this Wednesday to discuss the Gulf's whale population.

'We just thought people might not be aware of everything that is in the Gulf,' West said. 'They mainly just think of billfish, red snapper and dolphins."

Spring Break Springing Deals - Gulf Shores Spring Break Bargains - WKRG.com

Spring Break Springing Deals - Gulf Shores Spring Break Bargains - WKRG.com: "Before hitting the beach, you have to pick up the keys to the condo.

“We actually just got a really good deal on this condo so it was too good to pass up,” says Texas college student Travis Kennedy. He says this is his first spring break on the Gulf Coast, and the price was right."

WKRG.com

Citizen Advisory Committee formed - Baldwin County NOW

Citizen Advisory Committee formed - Baldwin County NOW - A Gulf Coast Information Source for South Alabama: "ORANGE BEACH, Ala. — Hoping to make Orange Beach a better place to live, residents have readily jumped to work on Mayor Tony Kennon’s newest strategy: the Citizen Advisory Committee."

A crowded room of willing residents filled the Orange Beach Council Chambers Tuesday evening to lend a hand and build the community to become a thriving city not just for tourists but for the people who live here.

As one of Kennon’s campaign promises coming to fruition, the committee is another step toward opening the lines of communication between the city and its residents.

Alabama homeowners insurance rates kept rising - al.com

Alabama homeowners insurance rates kept rising - al.com: "People in Alabama paid the ninth-highest premiums nationally for homeowners insurance, according to new data, although they were typically insuring less expensive homes than in other states.

The data for 2006 from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners showed that the average cost of a homeowners policy in Alabama was $894, up 5.5 percent from the previous year."

Entire state has stake in coastal insurance - al.com

Entire state has stake in coastal insurance - al.com: "HOMEOWNERS IN Mobile and Baldwin counties shouldn't take any comfort in the remarks of a central Alabama legislator following last week's hearing on coastal insurance issues."