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  • What Does Another Round Of Proration Mean For My Child?

    Baldwin County Public School Spokesperson Terry Wilhite said, “We’re already bleeding. This takes it to just unimaginable levels.” As far as dealing with the cuts, Wilhite said, “Its too early to tell how the school board will tackle an additional $7.5 million in proration. Its just uncharted territory.” Wilhite said the [...]
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    Posted: September 30, 2009, 6:35am EDT
    by Chuck

  • Riley declares 7.5 percent proration for coming year’s education budget

    Two days before the new fiscal year, Gov. Bob Riley on Tuesday declared a 7.5 percent cut to the pending education budget. Riley announced that across-the-board cuts, also known as proration, will reduce to $5.3 billion from $5.7 billion the state funding budgeted for public schools in fiscal 2009-10. “With less revenue [...]
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    Posted: September 30, 2009, 6:33am EDT
    by Chuck

  • Mayor seeks to preserve worker raises

    As the City Council considers passing next year’s fiscal budget tonight, Mayor Tim Kant said he will ask council members to restore about $468,000 in employee raises that were removed during finance committee meetings earlier this month. “The only explanation I’m hearing from anybody about why we need to cut out [...]
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    Posted: September 30, 2009, 6:32am EDT
    by Chuck

  • Sales tax increase at Foley’s Tanger Outlet Center starts Thursday

    Prices at the Tanger Outlet Center in Foley will go up a half-percent Thursday when a new fee for mall stores and customers goes into effect. After several months of negotiations, the Foley City Council voted Sept. 21 to approve the half-cent fee intended to pay for mall improvements and efforts [...]
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    Posted: September 30, 2009, 6:32am EDT
    by Chuck

  • 11th Hour Land Deal Proposal Stuns Council

    A last minute proposal by Councilman Mike Ford to purchase 38.5 acres of land on HWY 13 for $900,000– for future recreational use (added onto the proposed 2010 budget), shocked the rest of the Council Monday night. Ford: ” I laid it all out for you in executive session . . [...]
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    Posted: September 30, 2009, 6:31am EDT
    by Chuck

  • Teen’s truck attacked with pipe

    The man accused of throwing a street sign through a car, killing the driver, is out on bond. Police are now investigating a similar incident in the area as the deadly attack. Josh Graham says a trip to the video store in Foley this weekend turned into a terrifying ordeal for [...]
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    Posted: September 30, 2009, 6:30am EDT
    by Chuck

  • Baldwin County Homicide Investigation

    According to Alabama State Troopers, they received a wreck call early Saturday morning on County Road 55 at Magnolia School in Foley. That’s where Troopers found the driver of a 1999 green Ford Mustang dead. A preliminary investigation proved that the death was not caused by a wreck, but was [...]
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    Posted: September 30, 2009, 6:29am EDT
    by Chuck

  • Last Day for Baldwin School Workers

    September 29- After the latest round of layoffs, more than 200 workers in the Baldwin County School System will go to work for the last time on Wednesday. They’ve all had more than a month to prepare but emotions are running high. Wednesday will be a half day for school children in [...]
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    Posted: September 30, 2009, 6:29am EDT
    by Chuck

  • Publix package requested

    Following months of speculation, city officials have confirmed Spanish Fort is in the hunt for a Publix Super Market, and an undeveloped site at the Eastern Shore Centre is being considered District 2 Councilman Mike McMillan said developers have asked the city to “put together a financing package” that would address [...]
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    Posted: September 25, 2009, 6:28am EDT
    by Chuck

  • Layoffs likely to impact students immediately

    Number of comments: 1
    It’s a little like a bad science fiction movie. On Sept. 30, 2009, about 200 employees of the Baldwin County School System will vanish These are all probationary, non-classified employees,” said John Hudson, the Alabama Education Association Uniserv Director for the district. The AEA represents about 2,500 numbers in the Baldwin [...]
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    Posted: September 25, 2009, 6:27am EDT
    by Chuck

  • Baldwin judge needs more time on motion in capital murder case

    During a hearing Thursday relating to the capital murder trial of Leslie Eric Buzbee, a Baldwin County judge put off ruling on the defense’s motion to throw the case out, days before a third attempt to try the case. Baldwin County Circuit Judge James Reid said he needed time to read [...]
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    Posted: September 25, 2009, 6:27am EDT
    by Chuck

  • Fate of historic campus buildings undetermined

    City and education officials, both facing tight budgets, are trying to find a way to preserve four historic buildings on the campus of Baldwin County’s newest school. When Foley Middle School opened in August, educators and students no longer needed the old auditorium, office building and library. Education officials asked Foley [...]
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    Posted: September 25, 2009, 6:26am EDT
    by Chuck

  • Hybrid cars and jobs headed to Baldwin County

    Thursday’s announcement could be one of the biggest economic boosts to south Alabama in years: an automotive plant bringing 5,000 jobs to Baldwin County. Governor Bob Riley announced Thursday that a group of Chinese investors plans to build a large-scale hybrid automobile manufacturing plant north of Bay Minette. The plant would [...]
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    Posted: September 25, 2009, 6:24am EDT
    by Chuck

  • Daphne Couple Settles Discrimination Suit

    Number of comments: 3
    The couple who owns the ‘Pina’s Mobile Home Park” says they don’t keep kids from living there, but they do restrict the numbers, and the federal government says that’s discrimination. According to the settlement, the couple will have to pay a little more than one hundred thousand dollars to those considered [...]
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    Posted: September 25, 2009, 6:22am EDT
    by Chuck

  • AEA plays the Nazi card

    Number of comments: 12
    AEA representatives distributed flyers to teachers on Monday with the following text: Please join us at the Robertsdale Park Pavilion to pay tribute to our recently dismissed coworkers and the vital work they performed. Wednesday, September 30, 2009 at 4:30 PM All employees are encouraged to wear black to school on this day [...]
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    Posted: September 22, 2009, 5:56am EDT
    by Chuck

  • Loxley to appoint new council member

    Number of comments: 1
    Loxley residents who would like to take the place of Derek Middleton on the Town Council have just a few weeks to get letters of interest to Mayor Billy Middleton or Town Clerk Carol Middleton. “We will decide (on a replacement for Middleton) at the next council meeting,” said the mayor. [...]
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    Posted: September 22, 2009, 5:46am EDT
    by Chuck

  • Input sought on new park construction

    Baldwin County officials bought property for a new park and boat launch on Wolf Creek with public funds for public enjoyment. Now they want to get the most out of the site without its becoming a public nuisance to nearby residents. With that in mind, a town hall-style meeting has been scheduled [...]
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    Posted: September 22, 2009, 5:45am EDT
    by Chuck

  • SUPT. SENDS FINANCIAL CRISIS LETTER TO PARENTS

    Number of comments: 3
    Dear Parent: Thank you for allowing me this opportunity to speak with you directly about the current financial crisis facing the Baldwin County Public Schools. First and foremost, I want to emphasize that despite the economic challenges that confront us, we have not abandoned our pursuit of educational excellence. With regard to [...]
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    Posted: September 22, 2009, 5:45am EDT
    by Chuck

  • Unregistered sex offender arrested in Foley

    A convicted sex offender had to be subdued with a Taser this weekend after the U.S. Marshals Service and the Clarke County Sheriffs Office located him in Foley during a three day compliance check of sex offender registrations. Lederrick Andwan Chapman, 28, was charged with failing to register as a sex [...]
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    Posted: September 22, 2009, 5:11am EDT
    by Chuck

  • 2 Baldwin County cities turn down federal money

    Two Baldwin County beach communities have turned down federal awards because they required local governments to put up city money or add costs for new city programs. City officials in Gulf Shores scuttled plans last month for a new fire station and a community storm shelter despite securing a $2.8 million [...]
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    Posted: September 22, 2009, 5:09am EDT
    by Chuck

  • Fairhope mayor blasts council members

    When they declined to recommend his 3% employee pay raises (plus 2% merit) to the Council–the Mayor questioned the judgement/qualifications of Financial Advisory Committee members at their last meeting(Sept. 10th): “I don’t see how . . . bunch of mostly retirees . . . sitting around this table . . [...]
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    Posted: September 22, 2009, 5:08am EDT
    by Chuck

  • Fallen Marine receives Purple Heart

    On the same weekend President Barack Obama commented on the military’s request to sent more troops to Afghanistan, a mother received the Purple Heart in honor of her son. Lance Corporal Bruce Ferrell, 21, was killed in Afghanistan last month by an improvised explosive device, or IED. “I don’t think they should [...]
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    Posted: September 22, 2009, 5:07am EDT
    by Chuck

  • BOE’s 2010 budget thinner than ‘09

    After months of spending cuts, shortfalls and layoffs, the Baldwin County Board of Education approved its 2010 fiscal year budget Sept. 10, cutting an additional $1.9 million in the week leading up to the vote in order to meet Alabama’s Sept. 15 deadline The system’s total budget for 2010 exceeds $267 [...]
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    Posted: September 18, 2009, 5:59am EDT
    by Chuck

  • Wide ’super’ search urged for Baldwin schools

    Representatives of Baldwin County education foundations are concerned that some school board members may be favoring an internal candidate for the soon-to-be vacated superintendent’s job. They told the Press-Register that they want the board to conduct a public national search that would attract top candidates from all over. They said they’re worried [...]
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    Posted: September 18, 2009, 5:57am EDT
    by Chuck

  • Baldwin megasite attracts interest

    Economic developers could have “an announcement of great importance” Thursday at an annual meeting in Gulf Shores, Baldwin County Economic Development Alliance President Robert Ingram wrote in a newsletter this week. The development could involve a newly certified industrial “megasite” in north Baldwin County, but so far those involved remain [...]
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    Posted: September 18, 2009, 5:54am EDT
    by Chuck

  • Elberta Meth lab bust

    On September 16, 2009 members of the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office Drug Task Force conducted a consensual search at a residence on Wilson Road in Elberta. The Task Force received information that a possible “Meth Lab” was being utilized at that location. Two adults were arrested, male Jason James DOB 11-07-73 [...]
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    Posted: September 17, 2009, 7:46pm EDT
    by Chuck

  • Fairhope Supports Mobile Fery Station Bid

    The City is supporting Mobile in its efforts to gain federal funding for a passenger ferry terminal–to be located near their downtown Civic Center. Potential terminal sites in Baldwin county include Daphne, Fairhope, Pt. Clear (Grand Hotel ) and Gulf Shores. A connection to Pensacola is also anticipated. Fairhope Supports Mobile [...]
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    Posted: September 17, 2009, 7:45pm EDT
    by Chuck

  • Watch out bicyclists: Driver facing DUI jailed again

    Bradford Barron Maples, 28, was back in jail Tuesday, one month after he allegedly drove drunk in his silver BMW on Baldwin County 1 and struck three bicyclists. As a condition of his bonded release on that original charge of driving under the influence, Maples was not to “commit any new [...]
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    Posted: September 16, 2009, 6:42am EDT
    by Chuck

  • Woman flees after stickup attempt fails in Foley

    Foley police are searching for a woman who ran from a grocery store parking lot after the man she tried to hold up at gunpoint refused to give her money. The incident took place at about 4:30 p.m. today outside the Winn Dixie store on U.S. 98, said Lt. David [...]
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    Posted: September 16, 2009, 6:35am EDT
    by Chuck

  • Contractor tackles man on fire at new Books-A-Million site

    An electrical contractor tackled one of two men who caught fire Monday while working on a new Books-A-Million store in Spanish Fort, helping to put out the flames. Eddie Wrenn said he heard the sound of a fiery explosion Monday and saw the two unidentified workers in flames. “I started running toward [...]
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    Posted: September 16, 2009, 6:34am EDT
    by Chuck

  • Baldwin County commissioners approve budget

    Baldwin County commissioners voted 4-0 Tuesday to approve a nearly $149 million overall budget that officials said is down 10 percent from the previous year, but still fully staffs critical positions like law enforcement. It continues a two-year trend of belt-tightening that has seen the county’s spending plans decline from $204 [...]
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    Posted: September 16, 2009, 6:34am EDT
    by Chuck

  • Mayor’s search for new assistant draws questions

    Number of comments: 2
    The City Council took issue Monday night with a decision by Mayor Tim Kant last month to publish advertisements for a new executive secretary with a pay range of $44,800 to $56,000 per year. Betty Rivenbark, the mayor’s longtime assistant, retired from the job last month. Council members said Monday that they [...]
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    Posted: September 16, 2009, 6:33am EDT
    by Chuck

  • City gets out of concession business

    For nearly a decade, the city of Fairhope has sold food and alcohol at the municipal golf course, but that changed this week The City Council voted unanimously Monday to award a food and beverage concession lease agreement for Quail Creek Golf Course to A Taste of New Orleans, which operates [...]
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    Posted: September 16, 2009, 6:30am EDT
    by Chuck

  • I-10 service road would connect Baldwin County malls

    Baldwin County’s highway department has applied for a permit to build a road connecting two Spanish Fort malls, but it remains to be seen whether the company that owns the land involved is still interested. That company, TimberCreek Land Co., had pledged $2 million toward the construction of what is being [...]
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    Posted: September 16, 2009, 6:28am EDT
    by Chuck

  • Orange Beach 5 years after Ivan

    It was hard to believe then and now, five years later it still seems surreal. A birds-eye view of Ivan’s destruction in Orange Beach showed the incredible power of the storm. Entire condo buildings crumbled to the relentless wind and waves. Mile after mile of expensive real estate was destroyed. But, [...]
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    Posted: September 16, 2009, 6:24am EDT
    by Chuck

  • Fairhope Independent School District?

    A group of fed-up parents sent a letter to Fairhope Mayor Tim Kant and the city council, asking them to conduct a feasibility study on breaking away from the Baldwin County Board of Education and forming their own, independent school district. The group says their worried about the county school [...]
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    Posted: September 15, 2009, 8:37pm EDT
    by Chuck

  • Reverse auction saves city $61K

    The city of Daphne recently saved around $61,000 by modifying its traditional project bidding process to an electronic bidding platform, using BidBridge, which allows for reverse auctions and claims true-market values The city budgeted $235,000 for the purchase of new trash bins, according to the city’s senior accountant, Suzanne Henson; the [...]
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    Posted: September 15, 2009, 8:31pm EDT
    by Chuck

  • Budget, ‘Meadows’ purchase on county agenda

    When Baldwin County commissioners vote today on a new fiscal year budget, it won’t hit quite as hard as it did about a year ago, even though economic and real estate woes continue, officials said. That is because monitoring and measures instituted at the first signs of the financial crisis in [...]
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    Posted: September 15, 2009, 8:30pm EDT
    by Chuck

  • Spanish Fort Police Chief offers advice to cycling victims - unbelievable BS

    Number of comments: 10
    With three Spanish Fort bicyclists recovering from a recent collision with a car only two years after a similar accident claimed the lives of two residents, Spanish Fort Police Chief David Edgar said caution and vigilance on the parts of both cyclists and drivers are the best defense against future [...]
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    Posted: September 14, 2009, 11:08pm EDT
    by Chuck

  • Foley attorney known for 1-800-DIVORCE and 1-800-BANKRUPT billboards dies

    A Foley attorney known for his 1-800-DIVORCE and 1-800-BANKRUPT billboards and advertisements was remembered Friday at a memorial service. Preston Hicks, 62, died Sept. 6 at his home, friends and officials said.   Foley attorney known for 1-800-DIVORCE and 1-800-BANKRUPT billboards dies [...]
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    Posted: September 13, 2009, 10:21pm EDT
    by Chuck

  • School system prepares for impact of budget cuts

    With the budget approved, Baldwin County education officials are working to prepare for changes to take place when the new fiscal year starts Oct. 1. More than 200 employees laid off in order to balance the budget will work their last day for the school system Sept. 30. Other workers will [...]
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    Posted: September 13, 2009, 8:28am EDT
    by Chuck

  • Daphne settles $60,000 fire hydrant bill

    Fire hydrant purging and testing has been done by the city’s utility service every spring since 1953, when the department was first established. And the bill has always been paid for by the city itself as part of the its larger task of fire protection, said Daphne Utilities Superintendent Rob [...]
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    Posted: September 13, 2009, 8:26am EDT
    by Chuck

  • AEA hires consultant to investigate equity funding

    Number of comments: 3
    The Alabama Education Association recently hired Gene Murphree, former vice chancellor for fiscal services at the state Department of Post-Secondary Education, on a temporary basis to analyze the impact of equity funding on Baldwin County, officials said. John Hudson, Baldwin County representative for the union, said he didn’t know when Murphree [...]
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    Posted: September 12, 2009, 10:40pm EDT
    by Chuck

  • Mayor Proposes Electric Rate Hike

    In his 2010 budget, Mayor Kant is proposing an electric rate increase for all customers–due to what he claims will be a 4.9% power cost increase on March 1st Mayor Proposes Electric Rate Hike [...]
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    Posted: September 12, 2009, 7:00pm EDT
    by Chuck

  • Funding slashed from Baldwin County arts programs

    Number of comments: 1
    Some tough decisions were made Thursday in Baldwin County. School board members passed a balanced budget for the upcoming fiscal year. In the end jobs were saved, but funding had to be cut from arts programs specifically band. Funding slashed from Baldwin County arts programs Baldwin County superintendent reveals system’s budget[...]
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    Posted: September 12, 2009, 6:58pm EDT
    by Chuck

  • Recycling cut in Daphne?

    The city council at its meeting Tuesday proposed eliminating the city’s recycling program if participation in Team Green Recycling’s county-wide program is approved. Debate was sparked by a presentation from Team Green manager Larry Hoover, who said the transition could save Baldwin County $600,000 per year. City finance director Kim Briley said [...]
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    Posted: September 12, 2009, 6:56pm EDT
    by Chuck

  • Apartment complex gets nod from P&Z

    Despite the objections of 12 residents to the Ansley Landing project, including comments from Councilman Mike Ford (who owns adjacent property), the Planning and Zoning Commission voted Tuesday, after a two-hour hearing, to approve the request for a 56-unit apartment complex at Gayfer Road Extension just west of Bishop Road. Apartment [...]
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    Posted: September 12, 2009, 6:50pm EDT
    by Chuck

  • Foley City Council discusses Airport Road expansion

    A $1.5 million project to extend Airport Road to Baldwin County Road 24 produced extended discussion Tuesday between two residents who have concerns over the project and the mayor and city council. The Airport Road extension, which is in the process of being bid out, is aimed at removing truck traffic [...]
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    Posted: September 12, 2009, 6:49pm EDT
    by Chuck

  • Prank call to 911 leads to teen’s arrest

    Number of comments: 1
    Deputies say a prank phone call in Baldwin County ended with an 18 year old facing charges of rape. Baldwin County Deputies say David Wayne McCarn II, 18, was charged with rape after making a prank phone call that would change his life. It all started Thursday night inside this trailer in [...]
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    Posted: September 12, 2009, 5:04pm EDT
    by Chuck

  • Insurance rates rising again

    Three of Alabama’s four largest home insurers are raising rates, although State Farm Fire & Casualty Co., the state’s largest, is giving coastal residents something of a break. No. 1 State Farm, No. 2 Alfa Mutual group and No. 4 Farmers Insurance Group — the firms that have won state approval [...]
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    Posted: September 11, 2009, 3:01pm EDT
    by Chuck
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