JANUARY

Ice event freezes South Baldwin

Old Man Winter gripped South Baldwin in January as freezing temperatures and ice brought the region to a halt.

For three days the area came to a standstill as residents heeded EMA urgings to remain indoors in an unusual freeze on Jan. 22 that began with morning rain mixing with sleet and then freezing as temperatures began dropping by mid-afternoon in the Gulf Coast region, ending up as low as the teens in some areas. The day offered no reprieve as the area remained under cloud cover all day and temperatures barely rose above the freezing mark. Following more lows of teens and 20s on the night of Jan. 23, South Baldwin remained under a hard-freeze warning until 9 a.m. the following day. However, sunshine and temperatures expected to rise into the mid-40s by the afternoon of Jan. 24 brought and end to the winter-weather event.

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That ice did play havoc with South Baldwin power lines as both Baldwin EMC and Riviera Utilities reported power outages, all of which were repaired within three hours’ time.

Miles McDaniel of Riviera Utilities reported outages in various service areas, with approximately 2,000 customers losing power the first night of the event.

As for law enforcement, both Summerdale and Elberta Police Departments reported no unusual, weather-related incidents.

However, the same couldn’t be said by Foley Police.

“We planned for the worse and hoped for the best during the storm,” Foley Police Chief David Wilson said. “We had some low-lying tree limbs over roadways because of the ice accumulation. This required police officers to block traffic while the street department made it safe. Some roads got very icy during the night but most everyone drove carefully and slow and we got through it without incident.”

Several injured in Vulcan Plant explosion

FOLEY – Crews worked in January to clean up after an explosion at Vulcan Inc. in Foley resulted in serious injuries to at least two employees.

According to the Foley Fire Department, an explosion occurred in what is known as Building 1 of Vulcan Signs, an older area of the plant.

Apparently a machine exploded which polishes metal imprints in a blanking area where sheets of metal are milled to make signs.

The explosion was contained to the area around the machine, but two employees who work directly with the machine were injured in the explosion.

The two employees were taken by LifeFlight to the USA Medical Center’s burn unit in Mobile. One remained at USA with what appeared to be critical injuries while a second employee was transported to UAB Medical Center in Birmingham with more minor injuries.

Both victims suffered from burns to the head and neck area.

Foley Fire Chief Joey Darby said Friday that around 50 employees were triaged and released at the scene with no apparent serious injuries.

The explosion was contained to that specific area, Darby said, and did not spread to any other areas of the plant.

FEBRUARY

Chiropractor pleads guilty to fraud

FOLEY — U.S. Attorney Kenyen R. Brown of the Southern District of Alabama announce in February that defendant Richard Rizzuto has pled guilty to engaging in a health-care fraud scheme. Rizzuto is a chiropractor who serviced patients at his chiropractic clinic, Chiro Partners Inc. (formerly Back on Track Chiropractic), located in Foley.

In his plea agreement, Rizzuto admitted that from April 2009 through September 2013, he knowingly and intentionally billed Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Alabama for certain exercise procedures that were not actually performed on patients at his clinic. During the relevant time period, Rizzuto received nearly $400,000 in reimbursements for the exercise treatments he billed to Blue Cross/Blue Shield. At sentencing, the court will determine how much of that total amount is attributable to Rizzuto’s fraud scheme.

MARCH

City of Foley hires Don Staley

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FOLEY — The city of Foley moved forward with plans to develop a new multi-use sports complex and events center in March with its naming of Don Staely as executive director for the sports complex.

Staley came to Foley from central Alabama, where he served as executive director of sports for the Tuscaloosa Tourism and Sports Commission. While there he helped form the Tuscaloosa Sports Foundation, where he served as executive director. The organization later merged with the Tuscaloosa Convention and Visitors Bureau to create the Tuscaloosa Tourism and Sports Commission. Staley’s accomplishments in the position include leading the initiative to bring the AHSAA Super Six football championships, along with hundreds of other events, to Bryant Denny Stadium.

“The decision to leave was not an easy one,” Staley said in a news release. “Tuscaloosa’s been our home the past 21 years, but I was presented with a once-in-a-career dream opportunity that no sports tourism executive could possibly decline. I guess you could say I enjoy the challenge of building something.”

Town adopts street vacation policy

MAGNOLIA SPRINGS — The town of Magnolia Springs adopted its first official procedure for applying for a street vacation.

During its regular meeting in March, the Town Council voted to finalize the process, which included clarifying that an appraisal may be required in the proceedings and that copies of an appraisal could be required.

Those clarifications were preceded by discussions of the points, as previously drafted wording had indicated that providing an appraisal was to be submitted with the application. They were points town leaders had first discussed when reviewing a draft of the policy in the March Council workshop and agreed on those changes.

APRIL

500 year storm wreaks havoc

Two people fell victim to the April storms that flooded South Baldwin County.

A Lillian man was pronounced dead after his vehicle crashed through a barricade and collided with a road closure sign before entering a sink-hole filled with water.

Charles Higdon, 91, was pronounced dead following the crash, which occurred on County Road 91, three miles south of Lillian, during the heavy rain, according to a release issued by the Alabama Department of Public Safety’s Mobile office.

No other occupants were inside the vehicle, according to the report. The Alabama State Troopers continue to investigate.

But earlier that day in Foley, police released the identity of another driver killed during the flooding.

Sixty-seven year old Avery Sawyer was apparently carried away in his vehicle by flooding on a road near the Foley Airport in the height of the flooding storm Tuesday night. His body was discovered inside the vehicle in a wooded area nearby.

Numerous residents were displaced and infrastructures damaged as a result of what weather experts deemed a 500-year flood event, in which more than 20 inches of water fell on the region.

As a result, the Federal Emergency Management Agency opened an office in Elberta and assisted residents and business owners until July.

MAY

Foley breaks ground on Centennial Plaza

FOLEY — More than 50 people descended on Foley’s Heritage Park in May for a ceremony to break ground on the Centennial Plaza.

“This is a great event and will be great for Foley,” Mayor John Koniar said.

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With emotion in her voice, Centennial Plaza Committee Chair Carolyne Hollis echoed those sentiments.

“This is one of the most exciting and meaningful things I’ve been involved with in this community,” she said. “It’s something for everyone to enjoy.”

The plaza will house a 52-foot musical clock tower, which can provide power for a keyboard so concerts can be held on the stage that will boast columns and a brick walkway.

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JUNE

Power Man U.S.A. tapped

FOLEY — The city of Foley is delving deeper into the extreme-sports arena.

During the Foley City Council Work Session in June, Sports Executive Director Don Staley and Environmental Manager Leslie Lassiter Gahagan announced those plans.

Staley explained that the national event that pairs running and cycling would be held at Graham Creek Nature Preserve.

“We want to expose the national scene to Foley,” he told the Council.

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Staley explained that the Power Man was be slated for Nov. 30, with Power Man projections estimating the event will draw between 300 and 1,000 participants in the first year, as well as a crowd of spectators numbering in the thousands. But it will actually be the first year in an annual event.

“It’s a five-year deal,” Staley said.

JULY

Lillian plane crash kills 2

LILLIAN — Two people are reported dead after a plane crashed in Lillian in July.

The Baldwin County Sheriff’s Department reported that the bodies of 67-year-old Dean Legidakes and 15-year-old Shea McManus have been found at the site of a small airplane crash, which reportedly had been on a sight-seeing excursion.

Department spokesman Stephen Arthur explained that an airplane containing the occupants started its flight from Ferguson Airport in Pensacola, Fla.

“When the plane did not return from a sightseeing trip, an alarm was sent to be on the lookout for the plane,” he said.

AUGUST

Graham Creek Board created

FOLEY — The Graham Creek Nature Preserve Advisory Board became a reality in August, courtesy of the Foley City Council.

Prior to the vote that established the board, Councilman Charlie Ebert said the terms of service would be for three years and that the chair and vice chair would not serve more than three consecutive years.

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That vote came on the heels of resident opposition to the Preserve’s hosting the Tough Mudder mud run.

In a June City Council Meeting, residents from several neighborhoods surrounding the Preserve filled Council Chambers to voice their concerns. Many of those were repeated last week when 145 showed up for an informational meeting on the Preserve at the Foley Civic Center. At that time, residents also voiced concern over development of the Preserve and traffic to the facility. In addition, resident Merita Johnston asked the Council to establish an advisory board.

SEPTEMBER

2 rabid raccoons found

FOLEY — Two weeks after authorities reported finding a rabid raccoon in Foley, another has been discovered in the municipality.

According to a Facebook posting by Foley Police, officers found a raccoon at Foley First Baptist Church on Wednesday, Sept. 24.

In an interview this week, Foley Police Code Enforcement Officer Darryl Clevenger explained that in mid-September, the first rabid raccoon was found in the south-central part of Foley, west of U.S. Highway 98, while this second one was located north of U.S. Highway 98 and west of Alabama Highway 59.

“Both of them test positive for rabies,” he said, adding that the two raccoons had been humanely euthanized.

Those tests were performed at the Baldwin County Health Department from blood samples taken by Dykes Veterinary Clinic.

“We sent off a third one that was being tested for rabies,” Veterinarian Dr. David Dykes said in a phone interview.

However, he said several hours later, test results indicated that the third raccoon did not have rabies.

According to Clevenger, an occasional rabid animal in the area is not unusual, as such wild animals as bats and vermin. However, he and Dykes agree that finding two rabid raccoons within two weeks of each other is uncommon.

“I’ve never seen anything like it,” Dykes said, “and I’ve been here 30 years.”

This second incident has increased animal control’s security measures in the Forward City.

“We’re monitoring the situation closely,” Clevenger said. “We’re all being a little more cautious.”

He added that a second code-enforcement officer has joined him in looking out for rabid animals.

Clevenger pointed out that residents should not approach a wild animal if they see one. Instead, they should call Foley Police.

“If you see a raccoon in the daytime, that’s not good,” he said.

Clevenger added that aggression in an unfamiliar animal is an indication that it could be rabid and residents should stay away.

Also, measures should be taken to protect pets.

“If you have outside animals, watch out for them,” Clevenger said. “Don’t leave food outside for them.”

The law-enforcement officer explained that this would lessen the possibility of attracting a rabid animal.

According to State Public Health Veterinarian Dr. Dee W. Jones, “The concern with the second positive in such a small geographical area means that it increases potential exposure to humans and domestic animals, especially in densely populated areas.” He also explained, “It is not uncommon to get clusters of rabies infections within an endemic area, and such occurrences are not indicative of rabies becoming more prevalent, widespread or more dangerous.”

OCTOBER

Gospel Jubilee debuts in Foley

FOLEY — According to Gulf Coast Gospel Jubilee organizers, the inaugural event drew approximately 500 attendees to the Foley Soccer Complex in October.

“I thought everything went really, really well,” said the Rev. Joe Aldrete, Calvary Chapel Fellowship of Foley senior pastor.

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The daylong event featured praise teams and choirs from churches throughout Baldwin County, as well as Elvis aka Shane Tucker and several artists from the University of Mobile. Plus, churches and vendors manned a variety of booths to raise funds for C.A.R.E. House of Baldwin County and the Lighthouse. Plus, Baldwin Emergency Management Agency and Gulf Coast Farmers and Fisherman’s Market were among vendors providing wares and information.

Aldrete said 500 was a good number for the event’s first time.

“When the Shrimp Festival started, they had 200 people,” he said.

Aldrete added that plans are already in the works for next year’s Jubilee.

“The event is now established,” he said. “The city of Foley put it on their Centennial Calendar.”

Plus, the senior pastor is organizing plans for the second annual event.

Hobby Lobby and Big Lots open in Foley

FOLEY — After months of construction and preparation, Hobby Lobby celebrated the grand opening of its Foley location in early October.

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As customers waited in line for the store to open at 9 a.m., representatives of Hobby Lobby’s national headquarters joined store staff and representatives of the South Baldwin Chamber of Commerce for a ribbon cutting. Once the store opened, associates welcomed customers with free coffee, doughnuts and cookies.

A week later, a line of customers that stretched all the way to the front door of its neighbor, Hobby Lobby, Big Lots officially opened its doors next door to Hobby Lobby.

“I think it’s terrific,” said Big Lots Regional Team Manager Bill Coney. “We’re excited to be here.”

The Big Lots grand opening included a ribbon cutting and check presentation of $1,599 to Foley High School.

NOVEMBER

Unearthed human remains found

Baldwin District Attorney Hallie Dixon asked for and received a bond amount of $1 million dollars on Nov. 14 in the first scheduled court appearance for accused murderer William Minton of Foley.

The hearing was held via closed circuit TV feed from Baldwin County Corrections Center, the suspect appearing in his orange inmate jumpsuit.

Minton was accused of killing and then dismembering the body of his stepfather, 87-year-old Kenneth Hood, at the home they shared in Foley.

Minton’s bond was assigned at $1 million dollars on the single felony murder charge, with an additional $25,000 bond on a single felony count of Abuse of a Corpse.

Defense attorneys asked for a bond amount of $50,000 on the murder charge.

The high profile case began with a dog’s discovery of a severed arm at the home of Clark Stwart in Magnolia Springs earlier that week. At that time, the limb contained a ring, which led investigators to discover it belonged to Hood.

The canine unearthed a foot several days later

William Alvin Minton, 55, was booked into Baldwin County Jail on Nov. 12, where he is currently held without bond on felony charges of murder and abuse of a corpse, according to jail records.

DECEMBER

Work begins on Glen Lakes fire station

FOLEY — Construction work officially began in December the Foley Fire Department’s Station Three.

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That work started last week in advance of groundbreaking ceremony at the site, which is situated in the Glen Lakes subdivision at the intersection of County Road 20 and Fairway Drive.

Attending the ceremony were Foley city leaders and staff and members of the Foley Fire and Police departments, project designers, community members and land donors David and Sue Vosloh, catalysts of the project.

David Vosloh explained that a family tragedy motivated him to seek the addition.

“Four years ago my brother had a heart attack,” he said.

Vosloh explained that he believed the time it took for emergency crew to make it to the southwest Foley community played a part in his brother’s death.

“He was dead before they got him to the hospital,” he said.

According to Foley Fire Chief Joey Darby, average response time from the downtown fire station to southwest Foley is approximately 14 minutes. But this new station should help with that issue.

2 arrested for house fire homicide

FOLEY — Two arrests for capital murder in connection with an elderly man’s death discovered in the aftermath of a fire at his Foley home in December.

Foley Police Chief David Wilson announced the arrest in the murder/arson case that occurred at 105 Monteith Circle in Foley.

Brandon Michael Bledsoe, 33, of Elberta was charged with capital murder in the death of 70-year-old Tommy Burdette. Bledsoe’s girlfriend, Heather Elizabeth Raftery, 21, of Foley was arrested on the same charges.