Coastal Alabama

July 7, 2026

Fairhope Again Extends Building Moratorium

By Rick McCann
Blue RAM Media/Gulf Coast News

July 7, 2026

FAIRHOPE Ala. The Fairhope City Council is again hitting the pause button on certain residential project applications while city officials continue to work on updating some zoning codes and local infrastructure.

Single family dwellings and business projects are still a go, but large residential subdivisions are being held at bay for at least another month.

During its June 29 meeting, the City Council voted unanimously to extend a moratorium on certain project applications in the Eastern Shore city for that period but construction that is already approved or currently being built is not affected by the new extended moratorium.

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July 7, 2026

Baldwin County Police Make More Than 40 Arrests During Holiday Weekend

By Rick McCann/Dale Hines/J Thomas Wade
Blue RAM Media/Gulf Coast News

July 7, 2026

BALDWIN COUNTY, Ala. The holiday weekend brought tens of thousands of visitors to the Alabama Gulf Coast and for the most part, it was managed chaos.
Traffic backed up along the Interstates and Baldwin County roadways as it normally does.

According to local police and ALEA, there were a few dozen traffic collisions, some with serious injuries and at least one traffic fatality was reported in the county.

There was also a domestic violence incident in Belforest resulting in a fatal stabbing and a second person critically injured. A seventeen-year-old has been charged with murder and attempted murder.

Local police, county deputies and ALEA troopers are also reporting over forty arrests during the holiday weekend with many involving drugs and alcohol violations.
While the total statistics from Baldwin County law enforcement has not been calculated, information from the jail logs on both sides of the bay, speaks for themselves.

In recent years, as Baldwin County continues to grow in population and in popularity with tourists, crime of all types are rapidly growing as well.

The information collected so far is noted below but we are still waiting for other statistical data include DUI arrests, traffic collision data, and additional arrest information.

SARAH S ARMSTRONG 58
ALABAMA STATE TROOPERS
Charge: Appears in Public Place Under Influence

CAELI MARIE BASINGER 32
BALDWIN COUNTY SHERIFF
14 Charges
Failure to Appear Felony
Methamphetamine-Possess
Possession of Marijuana 2nd

LUCAS DEANDRE DAVIS 31
BALDWIN COUNTY SHERIFF
4 Charges
ALIAS DRIVING W SUSPENDED
Promote Prison Contraband (Drugs)
Possession of Marijuana 2nd

STEVEN JOHN DOWNS 40
BALDWIN COUNTY SHERIFF
Charges Unlawful Breaking and Entering of a Vehicle

DENROY ROLAND GAYLE 51
BALDWIN COUNTY SHERIFF
Charge Driving Under the Influence (Alcohol)

PRISCILLA JILLIAN GEIGER 41
DAPHNE POLICE DEPT
Charge: Fugitive From Justice

ANDREW DEMETRIC GILLUM 46
DAPHNE POLICE DEPT.
Charges
Possession Of Dangerous Drugs
Drug Paraphernalia-1st Offense
Possession of Marijuana 2nd

RICO ORLANDO GRAHAM JR 22
GULF SHORES POLICE
Fraudulent Use Credit/Debit Card
Fraudulent Use Credit/Debit Card
Fraudulent Use Credit/Debit Card

COLE DOUGLAS HINOTE 25
FAIRHOPE POLICE DEPT
Charges:
Cocaine-Possess
Synthetic Narcotic-Possess
Marijuana-Possess

RICHARD JORDAN 41
BALDWIN COUNTY SHERIFF
Charges
Failure to register as Sex Offender

JESSE DAVID KNIGHTEN 37
BALDWIN COUNTY SHERIFF
Charges13 charges
Methamphetamine-Possess
Possession Of Dangerous Drugs
Obstructing Police- Attempting to Elude Police

HANNAH LEE LAMMON 26
BALDWIN COUNTY SHERIFF
Charges
Theft of Property 3rd

SEAN MATTHEW MALONEY 22
ALEA STATE TROOPER
Charges:
Driving Under the Influence (Alcohol)
Open Container-Alcohol in a Vehicle

AARON DAVID MILLION 34
BALDWIN COUNTY SHERIFF
Charges:
Assault – Child Endangerment – Chemical
Possession of Marijuana 2nd

JONATHAN RYAN MINOR 35
BAY MINETTE POLICE
Charges-5
Failure to Appear Felony
Failure to Appear Traffic

BRANDON DJUAN MITCHELL AUTRY 39
LOXLEY POLICE
Charges 4 charges
Possession of Marijuana 2^nd
Appears in Public Place Under Influence
Drunk/Addict in Possession of a Firearm

ANGELICA CAROL MORRIS 35
ALABAMA STATE TROOPERS
Charges 2
Driving Under the Influence (Alcohol)
Open Container-Alcohol in a Vehicle

LAUREN CHRISTINA OWENS 36
BALDWIN COUNTY SHERIFF
Charges 4
Possession Of Dangerous Drugs
Traffic-Driving Under the Influence (Other Substance)
Dangerous Drugs-IPOPD Illegal Possession of Prescription Drugs

ATHENA NICOLE RAMOS 40
FOLEY POLICE
Charges
Methamphetamine-Possess
Drug Paraphernalia-1st Offense

LOGAN FREDERICK RAUS 21
BALDWIN COUNTY SHERIFF
Drug Trafficking

WILLIAM TREY ROBERTS 21
ALABAMA STATE TROOPERS
Charge Operating Vessel Under Influence

KODY LANDYN ROLLIN 30
BALDWIN COUNTY SHERIFF
Charge-Synthetic Narcotic-Possess

EDDONICE DENTRA ROYSTER 28
BALDWIN COUNTY SHERIFF
Charges 2
Possession of Marijuana 2^nd
Assault – Child Endangerment – Chemical

ANTHONY DEON SCOTT 37
BALDWIN COUNTY SHERIFF
Charge Sell/Distribution Of Dangerous Drugs

JULIUS KA’LON FLOYD SHIVERS 26
BALDWIN COUNTY SHERIFF
Charge Failure to Register as Sex Offender

SARAH NASREEN SIDDIQI 34
ALABAMA STATE TROOPERS
Charges
Driving Under the Influence (Alcohol)
Traffic- ILU Improper Lane Usage
Exceeding Maximum Speed Limit

HANNEL LAVON SPROWES 37
BALDWIN COUNTY SHERIFF
Charges 3
Drug Paraphernalia-1st Offense
Conservation-Aggravated Cruelty to Animals
Conservation-Aggravated Cruelty to Animals

PRISCILLA JILLIAN GEIGER
DAPHNE POLICE
Charge Fugitive From Justice

BRYANT LIONEL JEREMY GIBSON
DAPHNE POLICE
Offense Driving Under the Influence (Alcohol)

ROBERT KYLE KEAHEY
DAPHNE POLICE
Charge Parole Violation

WILLIAM PATRICK KELLY
DAPHNE POLICE
Charges Domestic Violence – Harassment

MARCO RONNELL WALLACE
DAPHNE POLICE
Charge Possession of Marijuana

RAPHEAL A LOTT
DAPHNE POLICE
Charge Public Intoxication

COREY EVERETTE SMITH
DAPHNE POLICE
Charge Driving Under the Influence

DANARIUS LAMON DIXON 34
BALDWIN COUNTY SHERIFF
Charges Obstruction-Violation of a Domestic Violence Protection Order
Ex-Felon in Possession of a Firearm

LYNNLEE LAUREL FOUTCH 33
GULF SHORES PD – AL0050400
Charges: Hallucinogen-Possess
Possession of Marijuana 2^nd
Drug Paraphernalia-1st Offense

GARY CLARK JOHNSON 52
ALABAMA STATE TROOPERS
Charge Operating Vessel Under Influence

CHARLES ANTHONY SANTUCCI 45
BALDWIN COUNTY SHERIFF
Charges 3
Family Offense-Financial Exploitation of the Elderly 2nd degree
Resisting Arrest
Obstructing Governmental Operations

KEVIN EDWARD WALLACE 39
BALDWIN COUNTY SHERIFF
Charges-3
Driving Under the Influence (Alcohol)
Drug Paraphernalia-1st Offense
Obstructing Police- Attempting to Elude Police

LAWSHAWNDA RENEE WILLIAMS 40
BALDWIN COUNTY SHERIFF
Theft of Property 3^rd

Among those being held at the Baldwin County Detention Center were 19 ICE detainees waiting to be transferred to a federal processing center.

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July 7, 2026

First Responders Tackle Boat Crash on Tensaw River in the Dark

By Rick McCann
Blue RAM Media/Gulf Coast News

July 7, 2026

BALDWIN COUNTY, Ala. It has been reported by law enforcement that two small vessels collided with each other in the darkness on Saturday, July 4^th, 2026.

The small boats crashed on the Tensaw River and one boat was flipped over.

Baldwin County 911 Communications reported that several fire departments, EMS and ALEA were dispatched to the area while a staging area was set up at Live Oak Landing.

During the operation, another boater stopped and rendered aid and got the people out of the water.
Only minor injuries were sustained.

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July 7, 2026

New Law Comes With Serious Consequences When Threatening Alabama Schools

By J. Thomas Wade
Blue RAM Media/Gulf Coast News

July 7, 2026

MONTGOMERY, AL. You may not have heard about it, but a new law that was passed by legislators to protect students and staff in our schools, is now a reality.

The law puts more teeth into what happens when a person is arrested for threats against a school and it went live on July 1^st, 2026.

The 2026 bill was sponsored by State Rep. James Lomax (R-Huntsville), who carried it after former State Rep. Matt Woods (R-Jasper) moved to the upper chamber.

Before the new law, making a terrorist threat in the first degree was considered a Class C felony, and a Class A misdemeanor in the second degree.

The law has now increased those penalties for first-degree terrorist threats to a Class B felony, punishable by 2 to 20 years in prison and a $30,000 fine, and making terrorist threats has been increased to a Class D felony if prior offenses have occurred.

The new law also defines “credible threat” as: “A knowing and willful statement or course of conduct, which, based on the totality of the circumstances, would cause a reasonable person to fear for their safety or the safety of another.”

In instances where a school receives a “credible threat,” a principal is now required by law to contact law enforcement.
No longer can school administrators make those decisions.

Woods began championing the bill in early 2025, after a wave of school threats plagued the state the previous year.

In late 2024, police across the state arrested well over a dozen juveniles for making online or in-person threats to multiple schools and nationwide, the threats have increased along with “swatting” in some incidents.

The law now allows serious consequences for those who intentionally spread fear and evil across our school campuses.

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July 7, 2026

Mobile Woman Jailed After Shooting Incident

By Dale Hines
Blue RAM Media/Gulf Coast News

July 7, 2026

MOBILE, AL. A shooting left one person injured and the 58-year-old Mobile woman in the metro jail.

Mobile police said it was about 11:52 p.m. Thursday when officers responded to Clearview Apartments, at 639 Azalea Road. They discovered a female victim with a gunshot injury.

Mobile Fire-Rescue, EMS responded and transported the victim to area medical center.

Now, Marchell Jackson remains at Mobile County Metro Jail charged with first-degree assault and Discharge of a firearm from an occupied/unoccupied building or vehicle.

Officers also discovered an unoccupied vehicle was struck by gunfire.

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July 7, 2026

Fire Destroys Theodore Home

By Dale Hines
Blue RAM Media/Gulf Coast News

July 7, 2026

THEODORE AL. A house fire Sunday morning, July 5^th, 2026, has destroyed the home according to fire department personnel.

Theodore-Dawes Fire Rescue reported that a fire broke during the early-morning hours at a home in the 7700 block of Garden Grove Drive.

As firefighters arrived, they could see heavy fire showing from all sides of a single-story brick residence, with flames spreading into nearby grass.

Theodore Dawes Fire Rescue said crews launched an aggressive attack while also protecting a nearby home on the Bravo side of the structure. During operations, firefighters found fire extending beneath the floor, requiring additional suppression and overhaul to fully extinguish the blaze.

As firefighters battled the blaze, additional crews were called in from the Fowl River Fire District and the St. Elmo-Irvington Fire Department, as part of their mutual-aid agreement.

The fire department reported no injuries.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

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July 7, 2026

Sheriff’s Office Update Belforest Homicide

By Rick McCann
Blue RAM Media/Gulf Coast News

July 7, 2026

BELFOREST, Ala. On Sunday, July 5, 2026, just before 9:00 p.m., deputies with the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office responded to a reported assault on Augustine Drive in the Belforest community.

Deputies located an adult male and an adult female with apparent stab wounds and immediately rendered aid until emergency medical personnel arrived.
A male juvenile was detained at the scene.

The adult female was pronounced deceased due to sustained injuries. The adult male was airlifted to a nearby hospital, where he remains under medical care.

Investigators with the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division and Crime Scene personnel responded to investigate the incident, conduct interviews, and continue to process the scene and evidence.

The juvenile suspect has been charged with one count of Murder and one count of Attempted Murder.

The juvenile suspect’s identity will not be released at this time.

Authorities on Monday released the names of the victims: Samantha Baker, 37, who was pronounced deceased at the scene, and Lance Baker, 46, who was wounded.

Investigators have determined the incident was an isolated domestic matter, and there is no known threat to the public.

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July 6, 2026

AI Driven Data Center Coming to Calvert Alabama

By Dale Hines/Rick McCann
Blue RAM Media/Gulf Coast News

July 6, 2026

MOBILE, AL. Another AI data center is coming to Alabama; this one is in Calvert.

According to a recent news release, the AI data center company plans to build a $6 billion complex on 95 acres of land in northern Mobile County.

Unlike other large investments in rural parts of the state that actually put people to work, this project will primarily have a low impact on the number of people hired.

The Calvert Infrastructure Hub will feature two buildings in the center of a 650-acre parcel west of U.S. Highway 43 and north of Shepard House Road that will support artificial intelligence, cloud programs and other internet services, according to Beacon Data Centers’ website. The complex will sit between the ArcelorMittal steel mill and downtown Mt. Vernon.

Beacon Data Centers has posted information about the Calvert Infrastructure Hub on its website.

The website says, “Calvert Infrastructure Hub is a next-generation data center development planned in Calvert, Alabama.
The development is between Highway 43 and Shepard House Road, and the project represents a major long-term investment in the region, bringing high-quality jobs, infrastructure development, and new economic opportunity to the Gulf Coast while strengthening Alabama’s role in the future of advanced technology infrastructure.”

The website information continued saying that “The site will utilize a closed-loop water system. Evaporative cooling will not be used. South Alabama Utilities has confirmed availability of 7,500 gallons of public water usage and 7,500 gallons of sewer usage per day. This allocation is intended primarily for employee facilities, such as restrooms, sinks, etc., and is comparable to the water demand of a small office building with approximately 250 employees.”

Nationally, the typical operational data center employs between 20 to 200 permanent staff, depending on its size and business model. While construction requires hundreds to thousands of workers, once live, automated systems mean that most facilities run on small, shift-based crews.
The average data center in the US employs roughly just 40 employees once the site is fully operational.

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July 6, 2026

Weekend Police Pursuit Lands Driver in Jail

By Rick McCann/Dale Hines
Blue RAM Media/Public Safety News

July 6, 2026

MOBILE, AL. A Saturday evening traffic stop by an ALEA trooper took a turn for the worse as the driver refused to stop even though the trooper had his blue lights and siren activated.

As the trooper tried to stop the driver for several traffic infractions, a high-speed pursuit ensued as other law enforcement officers were dispatched to assist in the chase.

But it was a busy time for both the city and county police agencies as many were kept busy with various calls for service and preparing to assist with fireworks displays and the traffic that comes with them.
But officers soon joined the trooper and the driver was eventually stopped and taken into custody in the area of Murray Hill Rd and US 90 in the Irvington area of Mobile County.

The unidentified driver was taken to the Mobile metro jail and booked in.

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July 6, 2026

Chickasaw Police Make Drug Arrest During a Traffic Stop

By Dale Hines
Blue RAM Media/Public Safety News

July 6, 2026

CHICKASAW, AL. Traffic stops regularly end with drug arrests throughout the country and such was the case with one conducted within the city limits of Chickasaw.

According to the Chickasaw Police Department, officers with the department’s traffic unit conducted a traffic stop for a violation that led police to the discovery of 81.5 ecstasy pills and 62 grams of marijuana.

According to a news release, officers pulled the vehicle over Thursday afternoon and after an investigation, made the drug arrest.

Police did not release the name of the person arrested in their release.

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July 6, 2026

Juvenile Murdered While Riding in Vehicle Near Downtown Mobile

By: Dale Hines
Blue RAM Media/Gulf Coast News

July 6, 2026

MOBILE, AL. A shooting in the overnight hours Sunday, July 5^th, 2026, has left a teenager dead.

Mobile police said that the teen was taken to area hospital by a private vehicle and that they were notified of the shooting at approximately 2:00 a.m.

When officers arrived, they were notified that the teenager succumbed to his injuries.

Upon further investigation, officers discovered the shooting occurred in the area of Government Street and Bayou Street while the victim was riding in a vehicle with other occupants. The vehicle was struck by gunfire, but no other occupants were injured.

Police officers and homicide investigators immediately coordinated their efforts and found a possible secondary shooting scene near the old CVS store on Government Street.

We had additional officers and safety protocols in place throughout the weekend downtown, along with the curfew for minors actively in effect, but despite our proactive efforts, the shooting occurred early Sunday morning after the majority of our citizens and visitors left the downtown celebrations, said Chief William Jackson.

While any act of violence is concerning, it appears this was an isolated, targeted incident. My investigators have worked tirelessly through the night, and they continue to work this case, utilizing every resource available to identify the person, or persons, responsible,” said Chief William Jackson. This remains an active investigation, and no further information will be released at this time.

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July 6, 2026

Dozens Complain About Sudden Parking Fee at Fairhope Pier During Fireworks

By Rick McCann
Blue RAM Media/Public Safety News

July 6, 2026

FAIRHOPE, Ala. On Saturday, as the Fairhope Pier parking areas began to fill up as they usually do during the 4^th of July celebrations, residents and visitors alike were hit with a sudden announcement, parking for this special day would be at a premium.
According to those in shock, the City of Fairhope, Public Works Department, was charging each vehicle, $20 to park.
This information had not been released earlier in the week and was a total surprise as people looked to find a parking spot.

Geoffrey Barkin, a Fairhope businessman and partners in the Blind Tiger Restaurant that sits on the pier hit the social media platforms and offered to offer discounts for those eating at the Blind Tiger.
We will discount the tab of anyone subjected to this tax. Take a picture of your badge of honor windshield tag you purchased for $20 from the City of Fairhope and show your server.

We apologize unreservedly for the City’s actions, Barkin said. Last year the restaurant offered to pay for parking for the entire summer, and the city denied our offer. Staff indicated that the City’s desire was to restrict the park and not open it to all.

Dozens of people took to social media to complain about the sudden parking fees and the lack of any communication from the city about the anticipated $20 parking.

Walking out on the Fairhope Municipal Pier is completely free year-round. However, if you park at the adjacent North Beach Park, non-residents are charged a fee of $20 per vehicle during the summer season. Fairhope residents (zip code 36532) park for free but must get a beach sticker from City Hall.
The City of Fairhope enforces these summer parking fees at North Beach Park to manage high seasonal traffic, and public parking operates on a first-come, first-served basis.

While this has been enforced in years past, this year, there has frequently been no attendants at the booth and no vehicles have been charged a fee for days and weeks at a time until Saturday, July 4^th, 2026, when the city decided to one again implement the $20 per vehicle fee.

We contacted the mayor’s office and several other government offices throughout the weekend, but they were all closed.
We will again reach out to them during business hours today.

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July 6, 2026

Florida Beachgoer Killed by Lightning on 4th of July

By Rick McCann
Blue RAM Media/Gulf Coast News

July 6, 2026

FORT MYERS, Fla. One person was directly struck by lightning and killed during the 4^th of July holiday weekend while three others were also injured during a storm.

According to authorities a group of Florida beachgoers were struck by lightning when they hesitated to take cover as a thunderstorm rolled through the area.

The Fort Myers Beach Fire District said in a statement, “Crews were dispatched to the scene of a lightning strike involving multiple patients. Upon arrival, crews found one individual unresponsive, and three others who had to be transported.”

The unidentified male who was swimming was directly struck and died.

“A bystander had deployed an AED (Automated External Defibrillator) and was performing CPR upon our arrival, the spokesperson stated, however due to the injuries sustained efforts were not successful.

“To our residents and visitors, please stay aware of the weather and the environment. You should immediately seek shelter when you hear thunder or see lightning. Please keep yourself and your family safe,” they said, adding “When thunder roars, go indoors.”

Florida leads the nation in terms of annual lightning strikes, according to the National Lightning Detection Network (NLDN), the primary U.S. lightning‑monitoring system. The Sunshine State is one of the highest-density lightning regions in the country.

July also poses the most danger for lightning strikes, per NOAA’s Storm Events Database. Historical casualty reports show a seasonal spike in lightning injuries and fatalities during the June and July months, over Florida’s peak thunderstorm season.

NOAA and NWS lightning guidance emphasize that lightning can strike 10–15 miles away from a storm’s core, well outside the area of rainfall.

Globally, lightning claims approximately 24,000 lives each year. In the United States, that number is significantly lower, averaging about 20 fatalities annually according to data from the National Weather Service.

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July 6, 2026

One Dead, 6 Others Shot in Downtown Pensacola

By J. Thomas Wade
Blue RAM Media/Gulf Coast News

July 6, 2026

PENSACOLA, Fla. A mass shooting occurred early Sunday morning, July 5^th, 2026, while most of us was asleep after celebrating the 4^th of July.

But in Pensacola, emergency responders including the city police and fire departments, EMS and the county sheriff’s office responded to a deadly shooting at around 1:20 a.m.

Pensacola Police Chief Eric Winstrom released minimal information at the time of the shooting as his officers worked to piece together the details, but he did reveal more information on Sunday morning’s deadly shooting in Downtown Pensacola during a press conference at police headquarters.

Winstrom began by saying more information has come to light as his officers worked through the night.
What we know right now Winstrom said is that a 19-year-old man is among the seven people shot around between Jefferson Street and Palafox Street.
Police officers tried to save the man, but he died at the scene.

Emergency responders said that six other people were taken to the hospital with gunshot wounds that appear to be non-life threatening at this time.

The age of the victims ranges from 16 to 26 years old.

There were hundreds of teenagers downtown from various areas and that a confrontation may have led to the gunshots.
We know that there was some fighting and throwing of fireworks but how it escalated into a shooting, we’re not sure.
Multiple people were arrested. Officials say most of the illegal activities weren’t felonies. One man was arrested while holding a gun.

Winstrom says the shooting and other illegal activity happened while 50 extra officers were on the scene during Fourth of July celebrations.

Winstrom says 10-to-20 shots, possibly more, were fired. He says the shooting is “believed to be targeted.”

He said the shooter is not in police custody, and police haven’t identified the shooter.

Detectives are speaking with the victims and reviewing business surveillance during the time of the incident.

Of course, we’ll be working around the clock until the shooter is caught, the chief said.

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July 6, 2026

Mobile Fire-Rescue Respond to Church Fire

By Dale Hines
Blue RAM Media/Public Safety News

July 6, 2026

MOBILE, AL. A fire at a local church Friday night, July 3^rd, 2026, sent the Mobile Fire-Rescue to East Street.

A person going by the Yorktown Baptist Church spotted it and called 911.

When firefighters arrived, they saw smoke and flames coming from inside and began to extinguish it.

A fire department spokesperson said that firefighters discovered that an air conditioning unit caught fire causing moderate damage to the structure.

No one was inside the building at the time of the fire.

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July 6, 2026

Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office Investigating Belforest Homicide

By Rick McCann
Blue RAM Media/Gulf Coast News

July 6, 2026

BELFOREST, Ala. Baldwin County sheriff’s deputies were called to a home in the Belforest community after the Baldwin County 911 Communications Center received a call about a person being dead.

Deputies, along with th Belforest Fire Department and Medstar, responded to a home on Augustine Drive and found one person deceased and a second person seriously injured.

Investigators said that this may be a domestic incident though they are still investigating and waiting for other forensic information to determine the exact cause.

Sheriff investigators said that one person is currently in custody.

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July 4, 2026

Robertsdale Police Pursuit Ends in Fatality

By Rick McCann
Blue RAM Media/Gulf Coast News

July 4, 2026

LOXLEY, Ala. A police pursuit involving a motorcycle ended Friday afternoon with a fatality.

Police said that the pursuit, a result of traffic violations, was initiated at approximately 4:00 p.m., Friday, July 3^rd, 2026.

According to the Robertsdale Police Department, an officer spotted a motorcyclist riding recklessly on Highway 59 heading north in the southbound lanes.

The motorcyclist refused to pull over for police and the chase began near Central Baldwin Middle School and ended off Black Devine Road near Railroad Street in Loxley.

Police said that the driver endangered the public and himself.

As the pursuit continued, the motorcyclist hit a truck towing lawn equipment, leading to the death of the driver, who police have not identified.

Authorities said that the driver died on scene.

It is unknown if anyone else was injured.

ALEA troopers also responded to the scene and have taken over the investigation.

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July 4, 2026

Gov. Ivey Announces $174 Million in Choose Act Funding

By Isabella Gomez
Blue RAM Media/Gulf Coast News

July 4, 2026

MONTGOMERY, Ala. A substantial increase to the Alabama education savings accounts created through Alabama’s CHOOSE Act are now fully funded for next school year, Gov. Kay Ivey announced on Wednesday.

Families whose applications were approved earlier this year can now access their funding through ClassWallet. The website sent out welcome emails about using the funds on or around July 1.

According to the Governor’s office, around 49,000 students, a record high, submitted applications for the 2026-2027 school year, according to their release. ALDOR approved more than 34,000 of those applications.

Gov. Ivey has championed the CHOOSE Act which allows parents to choose where their children are educated.

“The CHOOSE Act has changed the lives of thousands of Alabama families by enabling them to select schools that best align with their priorities and their child’s specific needs,” Ivey said in a release. “The increase in applications for the upcoming school year shows that the people of Alabama want school choice, and I am proud that we are able to give it to them.”

The Alabama Department of Revenue received 29,986 new applications for the 2026-27 school year, down from 36,873 last year, when every applicant was new to the program, according to information from the department.

However, the program is still very strong and a popular choice with many parents.

For the 2026-27 school year, lawmakers increased CHOOSE Act funding to $250 million, but by funding 34,000 students, ALDOR only used $174 million of this earmark.

Approved students enrolled in a participating school will receive $7,000. Students participating in homeschool or other home education programs will receive $2,000, with a maximum of $4,000 per family.

Other states have created similar programs and have dedicated the funding to ensure that parents can make independent decisions as to where their child goes to school.

The Legislature enacted the CHOOSE Act, short for Creating Hope and Opportunity for Our Students’ Education Act, in 2024, creating Alabama’s first statewide education savings account program. It allows eligible families to use public funds for approved education expenses, including tuition, textbooks, curriculum materials, school fees and certain educational services such as occupational or speech therapy.

While the law describes the ESA as a “refundable tax credit,” the program operates differently from a traditional tax credit. The ESAs are funded through the state’s Education Trust Fund, managed through ClassWallet and paid directly to schools or other approved providers. Families never handle the money themselves.

In Alabama, to be eligible for an education savings account, a family’s income cannot exceed 300% of the federal poverty level, about $80,000 for a family of three.

The release announcing this year’s award notification confirmed that the income requirement will be removed next year.

“The application process for the 2027-2028 academic year will begin in January 2027 and will be available to all Alabama families, regardless of household income,” the release said.

For more information, visit www.chooseact.alabama.gov.

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July 4, 2026

Foley Mobile Home Fire May Have Been Started by Fireworks

By Rick McCann
Blue RAM Media/Gulf Coast News

July 4, 2026

FOLEY, Ala. A fire on Friday night may have been started by fireworks according to residents of the area.

The Foley Fire Department responded to the mobile home fire and upon arriving on the scene, found the structure to be heavily involved in fire with black smoke billowing from the home.

Foley police and EMS were also dispatched to the scene.

According to a report, several people in the area were shooting off fireworks which may have caused the fire though police have not confirmed that.

Foley firefighters stated that no one was in the mobile home at the time of the fire.

No injuries were reported.

The fire is under investigation.

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July 4, 2026

Alabama Man Arrested After Discharging Bear Spray Inside Walmart

By J. Thomas Wade
Blue RAM Media/Gulf Coast News

July 4, 2026

Eufaula, Ala. Police are calling it a bizarre incident and have no explanation for it.

On July 2^nd, 2026, a Eufaula man entered a local Walmart store and headed to the sporting goods area where he proceeded to open a two-pack of bear spray from off the shelf and began walking around and spraying it in several areas of the store, affecting several people.

He then attempted to return the product for a refund.

Police were called and officers quickly located Lonnie Britt Patrick, 37.

Patrick was arrested and charged with reckless endangerment and two counts of theft of property in the fourth degree.

Warrants were also signed for an incident in April for retail theft in the third degree, during which Patrick also stole a can of bear spray, but this time without using it.

Officials say Patrick has more charges pending due to the damage in the store Thursday.

Police say that Patrick did not say why he did this.

Patrick is currently on probation on unrelated charges.

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