OBA News' Top 10 News Stories of 2025
These are the 10 most-read news articles on the OBA News website for 2025
Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — The Top Stories on the OBA News website range from a record-setting boating journey to a serious boat explosion at Safe Harbor Marina, with transportation projects, weather threats, and wildlife updates also drawing strong interest. Readers are following a 71‑year‑old boater’s sprint through Orange Beach to break the Great Loop record, alongside coverage of the first sea turtle hatch of the 2025 season on local beaches. They are also keeping up with the planned creation of the world’s largest artificial reef from the retired ocean liner SS United States and with a five‑day closure of the Intracoastal Waterway between Orange Beach and Gulf Shores for bridge work.
Public safety and major community shifts feature heavily in the most‑read list. Articles describe a forecast of dangerous storms with possible tornadoes, hail, and high winds across the central Gulf Coast, an alleged New Year’s Day stabbing on Wharf Parkway that led to an arrest, and a July boat explosion that damaged a vessel at Safe Harbor Marina in Orange Beach. Other stories highlight the permanent closure of Bubba’s Seafood House after twenty‑seven years in business and an Intracoastal bridge upgrade that officials say should ease seasonal backups for drivers heading to and from the beach. Together, the top ten stories offer a snapshot of a coastal community balancing development, safety, and tradition.
List of Services
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71-Year-Old Boater Passed through Orange Beach, Breaking the Great Loop RecordList Item 1
Robert Youens, a 71-year-old adventurer from Austin, Texas, made history by traveling America’s Great Loop in a small Jon boat. These times are approximate, last night, July 31st, Robert passed through Orange Beach at around 8:00 p.m. and arrived in Pensacola at about 9:30 p.m.
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List Item 2Intracoastal Waterway Between Orange Beach and Gulf Shores to Close for 5 DaysList Item 2
Boaters and residents in the Orange Beach and Gulf Shores area will need to prepare for a temporary closure of the Intracoastal Waterway. According to the U.S. Coast Guard Sector Mobile Waterways Management Division, daytime vessel traffic will be stopped for 5 days while work crews install new bridge girders.
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Dangerous Storms Expected Today with Tornadoes, Hail, and High Winds PossibleList Item 3
The National Weather Service in Mobile is warning residents of a significant severe weather event expected to impact the area today and tonight. Forecasters say conditions are favorable for a severe thunderstorm and tornado outbreak, with the potential for long-track, violent tornadoes, damaging wind gusts exceeding 70 mph, and large hail up to two inches in diameter.
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Gulf Shores Mourns the Loss of Local Icon Bill McGinnes, Known as Papa RoccoList Item 4
The community of Gulf Shores has lost a true pillar with the passing of Bill McGinnes, affectionately known as Papa Rocco, whose restaurant and bar became synonymous with the area's vibrant social scene. McGinnes dedicated decades to his establishment, Papa Rocco's, turning it into a beloved spot where locals and visitors alike gathered for pizza, oysters, and lively conversations.
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SS United States to Become World's Largest Artificial Reef
The SS United States, once a symbol of American maritime prowess, is embarking on a new journey. After decades docked in Philadelphia, the historic ocean liner is set to become the world's largest artificial reef. Okaloosa County, Florida, has acquired the vessel with plans to sink it off the coast of Destin-Fort Walton Beach, aiming to boost marine life and tourism.
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Intracoastal Upgrade Promises Smoother Access to the Gulf Coast
The Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) is reshaping how drivers cross the Intracoastal Waterway in Orange Beach. A new two-lane bridge will take all southbound traffic, while the existing Beach Express bridge by The Wharf will be northbound only. The idea is to separate the flows, reduce the friction, and it may finally chip away at the beach-season backups that have become routine.
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Suspect Arrested in Wharf Parkway New Year’s Day Stabbing
Orange Beach police responded to a reported stabbing on Wharf Parkway in the early morning hours early on New Year’s Day. Officers arrived at the scene around just after midnight and found an adult male victim with an apparent stab wound. Witnesses at the scene provided statements that helped police identify Shamar Ezell O’Brien Porter, an adult male, as the suspect in the assault.
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Bubba’s Seafood House in Orange Beach Closes Permanently After 27 Years
Bubba's Seafood House, a beloved fixture in Orange Beach, Alabama, has permanently closed its doors following the recent sale of the property. Established in 1997, Bubba's quickly became a favorite among both locals and tourists for its fresh seafood and laid-back, coastal charm. The closure marks the end of an era for many along the Gulf Coast who grew up dining at the iconic red-roofed building, known for its “Eat Here!” motto and welcoming vibe.
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Orange Beach Sees First Turtle Hatch for the 2025 Season
Orange Beach residents and visitors were treated to a heartwarming sight as the first sea turtle nest of the season hatched along the shoreline. On the night of July 29, 2025, tiny hatchlings began their slow crawl from the nest to the Gulf. Volunteers, conservationists, and beachgoers watched quietly as the fragile creatures made their way across the sand. It was a reminder of the important role the community plays in protecting endangered wildlife.
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Boat Explosion Rocks Safe Harbor Marina in Orange Beach
A developing story is currently underway in Orange Beach, Alabama, where the Orange Beach Fire and Rescue team responded to a rapidly escalating boat fire shortly after 4 PM. Upon arrival by boat, firefighters observed an intensifying blaze on the vessel, identified as the “ANDIAMO.” Initial efforts to extinguish the flames were effective; however, they reignited with greater intensity.
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