Handgun 101 class draws enthusiasts to learn safety, technique in Orange Beach

Chris Litton, retired Orange Beach logistics and safety coordinator oversees a participant in a gun safety course at the Orange Beach Police Department shooting range.
ORANGE BEACH — The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) offers residents and visitors a full menu of events, programs and educational opportunities. On Wednesday, …
Happening Now - Local News
Billy’s Seafood in Bon Secour has seen the crawfish supply and pricing fluctuations firsthand. Owner Billy Parks has 49 years of experience in the business and he said he's never seen it like this ever.

Baldwin County seafood market talks on struggling crawfish season, high prices

Easter dinner across the country often involves a honey-baked ham, but on the Gulf Coast, a popular way to celebrate is with a crawfish boil. This year, be prepared for higher prices and lower …

Longtime Foley mayor Koniar dies

John Koniar, a longtime community leader who served as Foley mayor and a city council member for 40 years, died Saturday, March 22, at his home in Foley. Koniar was elected to Foley City Council …
Alex Warner and Marcus Owens at their new restaurant venture, Cheeseburger Randy’s in downtown Foley.

Bagel Boy's Alex Warner to open smashburger restaurant in Foley

The wait is over. The teases can cease, and the rumor mill can stop turning. Alex Warner and business partner, Marcus Owens, are ready to reveal their new downtown Foley venture: Cheeseburger …
Obituaries
Dolores Teem Mikkelsen, of Foley, Alabama, transitioned into Heaven on Mar. 14, 2024, at the age of 88. Preceding her in death was her son, Michael Wayne Teem, her parents Roy and Emelie …
Paul Kirkland, 77 years old, of Gulf Shores, Alabama, passed away on Mar. 7, 2024. Paul was born to Margaret and Millard Kirkland on Oct. 12, 1946, in Castleberry, Alabama. After graduation from …
Thomas Lee Canaday, age 87, of Lillian Alabama passed away on Mar. 14,2024. Funeral Service was held Mar. 21, 2024. Please go to www.casonfuneralservice.com and sign the Memorial Book. Arrangements …
Sports
Baldwin County, Eastern Shore, Alabama Gulf Coast News
The Islander - Gulf Coast News
On March 14, Gulf Shores High School students visited with residents of Haven Memory Care of Gulf Shores during

Gulf Shores City Schools make a splash with inaugural "Gulf Shores Gives Back" day

Gulf Shores City Schools students flooded the streets with smiles and purpose on Thursday, March 14, as they embarked on a collective mission to give back to their city. Gulf Shores City Schools …
MICAH GREEN / GULF COAST MEDIA

A gateway to the future: Workforce development group partners with Gulf Shores High to offer industry tours in Tri-City

GULF SHORES — As a team works to secure Tighten Up, a three-story, sandy white, blue-bottomed yacht, within the massive wheels, steel and straps of a Marinelift, a group of 30 teenagers mills …

Orange Beach Police warns Invasion vehicles of public roadway laws

The Wharf is being invaded this weekend, and Orange Beach police want to make sure they do it legally. Orange Beach Invasion, a three-day car show featuring hotrods, motorcycles, trucks and …
(From left) Bill Briand and Bentley Evans

Chef Bill Briand, formerly of Fisher’s, joins The Hope Farm to open restaurant in downtown Fairhope

Five-time James Beard-nominated Chef Bill Briand has joined The Hope Farm team. The Hope Farm founders Robert and Bentley Evans announced the brand’s expansion to add a new concept with …
Local News

Many Alabamians could lose internet discounts in April, including Baldwin County residents

Hundreds of thousands of Alabamians could lose their ability to afford internet if the Federal Communication Commission does not renew the Affordable Connectivity Program. The ACP is an FCC …
The Smokehouse Creek Fire burned nearly 1.06 million acres. For comparison, if the Smokehouse Creek Fire would have happened exclusively in our county, 81.6% of Baldwin County would have been burned.

Alabama extends aid to Texas wildfire victims

Imagine. You're a seasoned cattle rancher, tending to your herd and managing your land with precision and care, day in and day out. The vast expanse of your land stretches before you, providing ample …

Religion column by Dr. Franklin L. Kirksey: The real Jesus

The real Jesus is unlike any other. Paul warns about those who preach another Jesus that he has not preached because people are deceived by a different spirit and a different gospel and end up …

Battling bites: Blocking mosquito-borne diseases

As the days grow longer and warmer, summer fun beckons. Swimming, sports, and picnics go hand in hand with warmer weather. But so do bug bites. Mosquitoes in particular can ruin a day outside. And …

Soil testing an important spring task

Give your green thumb a head start and make sure growing conditions are ideal by collecting soil samples for testing this spring. The Auburn University Soil, Forage and Water Testing Laboratory …

Community spirit shines: Baldwin County hosts 2024 Special Olympics

Baldwin County held its 2024 Special Olympics at W. C. Majors Field in Fairhope on March 15, marking a cherished day for athletes and their families. The event kicked off with an inspiring opening …

Spring cleaning: Don't toss that 'junk,' it may be valuable

From baseball cards and sports equipment to postcards and photographs, is that "junk" in your attic or basement dusty treasure or just dusty? We've all heard of families getting rich from the sale of …

Alabama Attorney General finalizes $220 million opioid settlement with 2 distributors

Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall announced today a $220 million settlement with two opioid distributors to resolve litigation with the State over their role in the opioid crisis in Alabama. …
National and State Data Trends
Medical Technology Schools analyzed studies and news reports to illustrate why experts are raising alarms about the unsustainable use of medical plastics.
Guava Health explores the lesser-known brain-boosting advantages of two vital electrolytes: potassium and magnesium, and how they actively contribute to cognitive health.
Foley sophomore Anderson Daigle pushes the ball through midfield during the first half of the Lions’ consolation semifinal contest against the Boyd-Buchanan Buccaneers from Tennessee as part of Southern Coast Cup action at the Foley Sports Tourism Complex Friday afternoon. Foley played host to 98 teams from eight different states for the annual spring break tournament over the weekend.

Foley Sports Tourism plays host to BSN Sports’ Southern Coast Cup soccer tournament

Soccer teams from eight different states spent their spring break battling for the Southern Coast Cup. The Foley Sports Tourism Complex once again played host to BSN Sports’ tournament …
Gulf Shores junior Keyona Royal helped the Dolphins to their first Final Four in program history and added all-state honorable mentions following the season. The forward was also named an AHSAA North-South All-Star over the weekend.

Foley’s Knight, Fairhope’s Taul and Sims, Baldwin County’s Bolar, Gulf Shores’ Royal, Snook’s Harris named to all-state basketball teams

Six basketball players from Baldwin County were recognized by the Alabama Sports Writers Association with all-state distinction following the season. One each was selected to the Class 7A second- and …
Pickleball is just one of the 25 sports offerings available for athletes to register for this summer’s 41st Alabama State Games.

Registration for 41st Alabama State Games off and running

MONTGOMERY — Registration for the 41st Alabama State Games opened on March 1 and has been growing steadily. Soccer, baseball and first-year-sport powerlifting have been leading the way as …

Saraland’s Kelly selected as Team Alabama head coach ahead of 2024 Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Football Classic

MONTGOMERY — Saraland High School head football coach Jeff Kelly has been selected to serve as head coach for the Alabama All-Star football squad for the 38th annual Alabama-Mississippi …

12 major contributors inducted into Alabama High School Sports Hall of Fame’s Class of 2024

MONTGOMERY — Twelve major contributors to prep athletics in Alabama were inducted into the Alabama High School Sports Hall of Fame on Monday, March 18, at a banquet held at the Montgomery …
Battlehawk head coach Anthony Becht meets with the media after St. Louis’ 24-15 road win over the Houston Roughnecks on April 2, 2023. Becht and the Battlehawks will welcome the United Football League world on June 16 when the inaugural Championship Game is hosted in the Gateway City following a March 14 announcement from UFL President and CEO Russ Brandon.

St. Louis announced as host city for inaugural United Football League Championship Game

ST. LOUIS — With a special announcement on Thursday, March 14, the United Football League revealed the 2024 UFL Championship Game will be hosted at The Dome at America’s Center, home of …