By Marc D. Anderson

On Saturday, June 13, 2020, Alabamians and out-of-state visitors alike will have the opportunity to fish for free in most public waters including both freshwater and saltwater. Free Fishing Day is part of National Fishing and Boating Week, which runs June 6-14.

Adam Roberson, Plans Examiner for the City of Orange Beach, was recognized by the City Council on Tuesday, May 19 for recently achieving the status of Master Code Professional (MCP™) with the International Code Council.

NEW ORLEANS — The Coast Guard and the Orange Beach Police department terminated the voyage of an illegal charter vessel near Orange Beach, Ala., Saturday. 

MONTGOMERY – Governor Kay Ivey on Thursday [May 21, 2020] issued an amended Safer at Home Order to be applied Statewide. The order which includes an expanded list of items to reopen will be effective Friday, May 22, 2020 at 5:00 p.m. and will expire on Friday, July 3, 2020 at 5:00 p.m.

About 15 miles off the coast of Orange Beach in nearly 90 feet of water sits an ambitious Eagle Scout project and an honorable family memorial. 

After four years and a lot of fundraising, Garrett Ard of Orange Beach completed his Eagle Scout project on May 7th as he watched Walter Marine, The Reefmaker, sink a 50-foot steel-hulled shrimp boat called Southern Heritage. 

The Baldwin County Emergency Management Agency will host the 2020 Disaster Preparedness & Recovery Expo on Wednesday, August 5, 2020 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Daphne Civic Center. The event was rescheduled from its original date of June 9. 

The Baldwin County EMA is working with key stakeholders to host this second annual Expo. 

The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ Marine Resources Division (MRD) reminds anglers who would like to fish from federally-permitted, for-hire vessels that the 62-day season begins June 1, 2020, at 12:01 a.m. local time and runs through August 2, 2020, at 12:01 a.m. local time.

Coastal Resources staff and interns have responded to recent reports of raccoons exhibiting signs consistent with the canine distemper virus in the City of Orange Beach. On Saturday, May 16th, 2020, we received results from the lab tests confirming this suspicion. Distemper is not uncommon in a variety of species including raccoons.

In observance of Memorial Day, non-essential city offices will be closed on Monday, May 25th.

Trash and recycling will not be affected. All routes will run as normal.

Offices will open, with normal hours, on Tuesday, May 26th.