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Transportation, frustrations and golf carts: Town Hall meeting set for October 1st

orange beach boat logo September 13, 2019 - Orange Beach, AL - (OBA^®) - Orange Beach Mayor Tony Kennon and the City Council invite the public to a Town Hall meeting at 5 p.m. Tuesday, October 1st at the Orange Beach Event Center.

“Transportation, frustrations and golf carts, that’s what the Town Hall will be about,” Mayor Kennon said. “I’ll give a short presentation updating everyone on projects in the city including transportation, recreation and schools. Then the floor will be open for anyone to ask questions. We’ll go as long as we need to.”

Gulf Shores airport making plans for passenger terminal

Jack Edwards Airport in Gulf Shores, Alabama, is making plans for a passenger terminal.

By John Mullen

September 13, 2019 – Orange Beach, AL – (OBA^®) – The landing strip at Jack Edwards Airport in Gulf Shores has had the runway space to land planes as large as 737s for a few years.

“We’ve been able to since the last runway project we just didn’t have any place to park them until we finished this apron,” Airport Authority Manager Scott Fuller said.

On Sept. 12 the Gulf Shores Airport Authority began steps toward developing that apron into a terminal capable of parking and unloading two or three passenger airplanes. There’s room for six but the initial phase is looking to plan, design and build two or three of the first gates.

Studying the Sand Cliffs on the Alabama/Florida Gulf Coast

Brandon Collins next to a 5+' sand cliff. Photo by Laura Collins.

By John Mullen

September 12, 2019 – Orange Beach, AL – (OBA^®) – Whether or not the "sand cliffs" – scientifically known as scarps – are formed during what is called a neap tide is up for debate. But local beachgoers have noticed the steep embankments, some higher than five feet, seem to be more prevalent around the neap tide.

“It’s not something I’ve ever seen in the literature or heard anybody else talk about but I’m not going to tell somebody that they’re wrong if they have made that correlation,” South Alabama Professor Emeritus Scott Douglass said. “But I got to thinking that maybe there is something to it because we have such a mild coast compared to all the other ones in the U.S. We have periods where there’s just nothing happening because the waves are so small.” Douglass is a civil engineer and his area of expertise is coastal engineering.

Tacky Jacks of Orange Beach to Host Business After Hours with the Perdido Key Area Chamber of Commerce

September 10, 2019 - Orange Beach, AL - (OBA^®) - Tacky Jacks Orange Beach is proud to be the host of the September Perdido Area Chamber Business after Hours on Wednesday, September 18, 2019! Overlooking the Perdido Pass Bridge on Cotton Bayou, Tacky Jacks is a casual waterfront restaurant, with friendly experienced staff, great food, award winning view and Happy Hour making Tacky Jacks the local’s favorite hangout for over 39 years.

12th Annual Hangout Oyster Cook-Off Craft Spirits & Beer Weekend

September 10, 2019 - Gulf Shores, AL - (OBA^®) - The 12th Annual Hangout Oyster Cook-Off Craft Spirits & Beer Weekend has four major announcements! This signature seafood & music event at The Hangout serves 100,000 oysters in one day to guests from all over the country, and it is bigger and better than ever for 2019. Friday, November 1st and Saturday, November 2nd, over 10,000 people will arrive at the beach in Gulf Shores for an unforgettable weekend. Walk the beach, drink rare spirits and craft beers, listen to live music, and meet some of the most celebrated chefs in the country.

Volunteers sought for Wildlife Center, Backcountry Trail and Beach Nesting Bird Program

September 10, 2019 - Orange Beach, AL - (OBA^®) - Are you passionate about protecting wildlife, crazy about the coast, and excited about preserving the environment?

This is the opportunity you’ve been looking for!

Alabama Adds Three-Day Red Snapper Season for Private Anglers in October

Alabama adds 3 days to red snapper season

September 9, 2019 - Orange Beach, AL - (OBA^®) - The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) will open an additional three-day private angler recreational season for red snapper in October 2019. The additional days will begin at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, October 4, and run until midnight on Sunday, October 6.

Orange Beach Planning Commission to meet September 9

Orange Beach Planning Commission Meeting Agenda

September 7, 2019 - Orange Beach, AL - (OBA^®) - The Orange Beach Planning Commission is scheduled to meet at 2:30 p.m. Monday, September 9th for a work session followed by 4 p.m. regular meeting in the Council Chambers at City Hall.

Mediacom, Centurylink holding up Canal Road widening

By John Mullen

September 4, 2019 – Orange Beach, AL – (OBA^®) – Mediacom will be with you within eight to 10 days. Centurylink, too.

Well, maybe not. OK, a year. Not so fast. Not even close.

Those two cable/internet companies, known for generating complaints about their lack of service or bad service, are now holding up one of the most important road projects in the history of Orange Beach.

OWA Hosts Local Training Exercise with State Agencies September 7 & 8

September 4, 2019 - Foley, AL - (OBA^®) - The Alabama Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and high yield Explosive Enhanced Response Force Package (CERFP) Medical and Command & Control Elements will be participating in a local training exercise on September 7 and 8, 2019 with local emergency services in Downtown OWA.

MAAAC membership to host tailgate at first football game

By John Mullen

September 3, 2019 – Orange Beach, AL – (OBA^®) – Mark your calendar for Oct. 24. The Orange Beach Middle School Makos will take the field at home in the first historic football game between schools from neighboring towns Orange Beach and Gulf Shores.

Orange Beach opened a new middle and high school at the start of this school year, the same time Gulf Shores first began operating as an independent city system.

The season opens Sept. 5 at home against Perdido and there will be a Makos Academics, Arts and Athletics Club tailgate party for MAAAC members and sponsors at each of the five home football games this season.

Wolf Bay Bridge project on hold as negotiations stall

A conceptual rendering of the proposed Wolf Bay Bridge in Orange Beach, Alabama.

By John Mullen

August 29, 2019 – Orange Beach, AL – (OBA^®) – Will the Wolf Bay Bridge get built?

“We’re going to put it on hold and continue and negotiate and see if maybe in the future something can happen but right now it’s on hold,” Mayor Tony Kennon said. “At this point in time, we have not been able to come to a deal with Mr. (George) Barber that we feel like justifies building the bridge. We’re just going to put it on hold until he reevaluates and, in his reevaluation, decides that he can work with us on what we need to make it a possibility.

Community Events in Orange Beach

The Monthly Community Potluck returns Monday, Sept. 2 at the Orange Beach Community Center.

Doors open at 6 p.m. and dinner starts at 6:30. Everyone is invited; just bring a dish to share for 8 to 10 people.

Flora-Bama closing out summer with a bang Aug. 29-Sept. 7

Justin Moore is in concert at the Flora-Bama on Sept. 1.

By John Mullen

August 27, 2019 – Orange Beach, AL – (OBA^®) – Summer may be winding down but it’s not going out with a whimper at the world-famous Flora-Bama Lounge and Package.

The iconic beach bar will have activities beginning on Thursday night with a Country Music Hall of Fame songwriter, Saturday will be the end of the year bikini contest on the tent stage at 3 p.m. and a brand-new continuing event will kick off on Sunday afternoon.

Orange Beach to pay Island Fiber $350,000 to expand fiber

Island Fiber of Orange Beach, Alabama, is working to get fiber optic internet to homes in the city.

By John Mullen

August 23, 2019 – Orange Beach, AL – (OBA^®) – Residents being hooked up with fiber light-speed internet by homegrown Island Fiber are tickled with the results.

“The internet is faster, more reliable,” Realtor Tucker Shaver said. “If we’ve got a question, we speak to someone locally who speaks mostly English and they are super helpful. If we’ve got questions and we’ve got problems we’re not calling a call center that’s confused. We’ve been thrilled with it so far.”

Andrews' AJ Breaks 38-Year-Old Alabama Record

Record AJ 19 By DAVID RAINER, Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

August 23, 2019 - Orange Beach, AL - (OBA^®) - The 127-pound, 12-ounce amberjack that reigned atop the Alabama state records for 38 years was landed before Brian Andrews was born.

Marcus Kennedy of Mobile, who caught the big amberjack on June 19, 1981, will see the last of his state records fall on Friday, August 23, when Andrews’ 132-pound, 12.8-ounce fish takes its place after the record certification process is complete.

Andrews was aboard Capt. Bobby Walker’s Summer Breeze II soon after the amberjack season in the Gulf of Mexico kicked back in on August 1 a few weeks ago.

Rare green turtle nest begins hatching in Orange Beach

Green sea turtles nests are common in Florida but are rarely seen in Alabama.

Update on August 24th at 9:03am by Lisa Graham: "After all the hours of monitoring this nest closely, 89 babies managed to escape the nest on their own and make it approx. 200’ to the water. I’m guessing they emerged between the 1am and 3:45am checks when the 14 were found in the cage at 3:45am. They escaped from outside the cage either via a crab hole or dug out where we found the one hatchling escaping. The hard rain erased any evidence of tracks. Thank goodness the moon was up to lead them in the right direction, the beach was raked and loungers were stacked (by our LOF Coastal Resources Night Crew) leaving less obstacles in their path! The efforts of Phoenix and Brett Robinson to go dark was huge and the combination of it all let Nature do its thing!"

"Final egg count was 113, 105 to the water, 8 infertile. It was 20” to the top of the nest and 29” to the bottom!"

By John Mullen

August 21, 2019 - Orange Beach, AL - (OBA^®) - On Aug. 21 around 3:45 a.m., the second green sea turtle nest ever laid in Alabama hatched as the first 15 hatchlings made it into the Gulf. Orange Beach Share the Beach Team Leader Lisa Graham said recent rains may have compacted the sand and making it difficult for the turtles to make it to the surface.

Volunteers aren’t sure how many eggs are in the nest because it didn’t have to be moved after it was laid. Green turtles average about 135 eggs to a nest.

OWA Hosts 2nd annual Community Safety Day

Free event in Downtown OWA, discounts for The Park this weekend

August 20, 2019 - Foley, AL - (OBA^®) - Climb a fire truck, meet Smokey Bear, and join us as we show appreciation for our brave first responders. From a three-day discount to The Park at OWA, to an epic event this Saturday featuring more than 20 live safety demonstrations—OWA will be bustling with things to do this weekend, Aug. 23-25, 2019.

What is the Coastal Alabama Back Bay Blueway

Blueway map 850pxw August 19, 2019 - Alabama Gulf Coast - (OBA^®) - The just announced Coastal Alabama Back Bay Blueway takes visitors on a full tour through Coastal Alabama’s unique waterways and exceptional ecosystems. With a total of 21 launch sites on four distinct trails, the Back Bay Blueway offers adventure lovers the scenic views and pristine beaches they love- experienced like never before.

Orange Beach Council Meeting set for Tuesday Aug. 20th

August 19, 2019 - Orange Beach, AL - (OBA^®) - The City of Orange Beach will hold thier regularly scheduled city council meetings on Tuesday, August 20th at the City Hall Council Chambers.

Below are the agenda items for this weeks meetings.

Orange Beach Road and Sidewalk Project Updates

West Oak Ridge Drive Sidewalk to the Sportsplex

By City of Orange Beach

West Oak Ridge Drive Sidewalk Extension - An 8-foot-wide sidewalk extending from West Oak Ridge Drive to the Orange Beach Sportsplex is open but some finishing touches still need to be completed. The overall sidewalk through the neighborhood, behind City Hall, runs parallel with Canal Road from State Highway 161/Orange Beach Boulevard westward about 4,000 feet to the sportsplex. It connects to Lauder Lane with a sidewalk as well.

Fundraiser for beloved Orange Beach family set for Aug. 25

By John Mullen

August 16, 2019 – Orange Beach, AL – (OBA^®) – There will be a Kenny Smith Memorial Fundraiser at the Undertow on Aug. 25 to help the family with expenses related to his health care. Kenny passed away at home On Aug. 16 surrounded by family and friends.

Fish and chicken tender plates with sides will be on sale for $10. The event is being hosted by Teresa Smith’s co-workers from Doc’s Seafood Shack and Oyster Bar at the Undertow on Canal Road at 6 p.m.

Tacky Jacks leads effort to give veteran more mobility

Tacky Jacks, Orange Beach, Alabama crew with veteran Jorge Tabares.

By John Mullen

August 15, 2019 – Orange Beach, Al – (OBA^®) – When Tacky Jacks owner Buddy Skipper found out people liked to have their pictures made with the big blue marlin hanging up at his three locations an idea was born.

“He said we ought to try and raise some money with that,” CFO Ken Kichler said. “We put a donation box and originally it was for different charities. We’ve done several different charities over the years. Whatever money our customers drop into the boxes we match that money and make charitable arrangements around that.

OWA Opens Coastal Alabama’s 1st State-of-the-Art eSports Center

Grand Opening kicks off Aug. 17 with arrival of famous Twitch gamer.

August 14, 2019 - Foley, AL - (OBA^®) - Looking for the best gaming around? OWA’s newest entertainment attraction is the place to be! Clash eSports Center (Clash) is a high-end video gaming facility located within Downtown OWA—the complex’s entertainment, dining, and shopping area.

Perdido Key Sports Bar Celebrates the end of season with a Chamber Business After Hours on August 21

August 14, 2019 - Perdido Key, FL - (OBA^®) - On Wednesday, August 21, 2019, The Perdido Area Chamber of Commerce will host its monthly Business After Hours Networking Social at local, hot-spot- the Perdido Key Sports Bar & Restaurant! From 5 pm to 7 pm, members of the chamber will welcome Perdido professionals to a cocktail social to network with potential clients and partners and learn about the benefits of being a chamber member!

Flora-Bama’s Bull Riding Event Now Three Days - Sept. 5-7TH

August 14, 2019 - Perdido Key, FL - (OBA) - “Bulls on the Beach”, at this iconic Beach watering hole, is now so popular that the family-fun event has been extended to three nights. Thursday night will feature kids on miniature bucking ponies and a bicycle giveaway for a boy and girl along with some professional bull riders.

Seasonal Hiring for OWA’s Haunted House Begins Aug. 21-22

August 13, 2019 - Foley, AL - (OBA^®) - If you enjoy scaring your friends, OWA has the perfect job opportunity for you. Auditions for the haunted house’s “scare actors” will be held Aug. 21-22, 2019 at OWA. This year’s terrifying theme for OWA’s Town of Terror is “Hotel Mitchell. ” It’s the hotel where you check in, but never check out. This year’s theme will feature possessed bell-hops, evil guests, plus a few terrifying rooms that might be better left unopened!

Alabama Announces Two Additional Days of Red Snapper Season for Private Anglers

August 13, 2019 - Orange Beach, AL - (OBA^®) - After completing a review of the 2019 private angler red snapper season through August 5, the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources has determined two additional days can be added to the private angler recreational season. The additional days will begin 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, August 31, 2019, and run until midnight on Sunday, September 1, 2019.

Orange Beach Festival of Art ranked among top shows in nation

August 13, 2019 - Orange Beach, AL - (OBA^®) - For the first time, the Orange Beach Festival of Art has broken into Sunshine Artist magazine's Top 200 rankings.

Gulf Shores September concerts on the green at the beach

August 12, 2019 - Gulf Shores, AL - (OBA^®) - The City of Gulf Shores is excited to announce the 2019 Sunset Series, coming to Gulf Place Town Green and Public Beach. The 2019 Sunset Series will consist of four events on the following dates: September 5, September 12, September 19 and September 26.