ROBERTSDALE, Ala. A Baldwin County man who has been found guilty of child sex crimes received a prison sentence of 129 years for his crimes.
The Baldwin County District Attorney’s Office said that Ugur Tufekcioglu, was sentenced after he was convicted on charges of first-degree sodomy, sexual abuse of a child younger than 12, and second-degree sexual abuse.
This case was initially investigated by the Robertsdale Police Department after receiving a call from the child’s mother. For legal and privacy reasons, her name has not been disclosed.
Tufekcioglu confessed to the crimes according to investigators.
The child has received help from the Baldwin County Child Advocacy Center.
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ORANGE BEACH, Ala. A structure fire in the Bear Point community injured two people and damaged several homes.
Orange Beach Fire Rescue were called to a house fire initially in the 29000 block of Bayshore Drive North in the Bear Point community just before 2:20 a.m. Saturday, June 27.
But according to a fire department spokesperson, when firefighters arrived on the scene, they found a large working fire with one structure fully engulfed and a second house next to that structure also on fire.
While fighting the fire, a third home also received minor fire damage.
Firefighters immediately went into an attack mode while other responders checked on the residents from both homes and found that two people had minor injuries. According to authorities, the injuries were minor and were treated at the scene by paramedics but both refused to be taken to a hospital.
The Orange Beach Fire Marshal’s Office and the Alabama Fire Marshal’s Office are investigating the cause of the fire, and it was noted that both structures received heavy damage.
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MOBILE, AL. A shooting where the victim fled and ended up at a local fast-food restaurant has resulted in the arrest of a Theodore man as the shooter.
Mobile Police Department officers responded to the Whataburger on Schillinger Road where a man was brought after being shot.
Officials said they were called to the 8100 block of Huber Road around 5:20 p.m. on June 28 for a report of a shooting.
When officers arrived, they found that the victim had already left the area in a personal vehicle and that EMS was responding to a shooting victim at the restaurant.
According to an MPD news release, 29-year-old Austin Harbison was arrested for his alleged involvement in a shooting.
Police said that the victim was grazed by a bullet at a home on Huber Road, where he and Harbison allegedly had gotten into a fight that the victim initiated.
Harbison has been charged with first-degree assault and booked into the Mobile Metro Jail.
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The Daphne Police Department patrol division has made more than two dozen arrests for Driving Under the Influence of alcohol or drugs during the month of June.
Patrol officers working regular duty patrols also stay vigilant for traffic violations and impaired drivers, Chief Gulsby told us previously.
The persons are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Name: Morgan Ann Stewart
Date/Time: 06/05/2026 – 21:34
Offense: Driving Under the Influence (Alcohol)
Location: 900 block of US Hwy 98 (Image360), Daphne, AL
Name: Kurt Levi Rallinson
Date/Time: 06/06/2026 – 01:14
Offense: Driving Under the Influence (Alcohol)
Location: US Hwy 98 @ Whispering Pines Rd., Daphne, AL
Name: Zykiria Nicole Drinkard
Date/Time: 06/06/2026 – 02:10
Offense: Driving Under the Influence (Alcohol)
Location: US Hwy 98 @ US Hwy 90, Daphne, AL
Name: Scott Thomas Williams
Date/Time: 06/06/2026 – 12:03
Offense: Driving Under the Influence (Alcohol)
Location: N. Main St. @ Van Buren St., Daphne, AL
Name: Gary Wayne Brandt
Date/Time: 06/07/2026 – 00:13
Offense: Driving Under the Influence (Alcohol)
Location: US Hwy 98 @ Bayline Dr., Daphne, AL
Name: Maurice Lucious Grove
Date/Time: 06/07/2026 – 19:29
Offense: Driving Under the Influence – Controlled Substance
Location: 7000 block of US Hwy 90 (Home Depot), Daphne, AL
Name: Micah Clarence Smith
Date/Time: 06/14/2026 – 02:11
Offense: Driving Under the Influence (Alcohol)
Location: 20000 block of US Hwy 98 (Bayside Animal Hospital), Daphne, AL
Name: Damon Michael McBride
Date/Time: 06/15/2026 – 21:45
Offense: Driving Under the Influence (Alcohol)
Location: US Hwy 98 @ Walmart Dr., Daphne, AL
Name: Kristy Denise Harris Jerkins
Date/Time: 06/21/2026 – 02:45
Offense: Driving Under the Influence (Alcohol)
Location: 3000 block of US Hwy 98 (Rouse’s Market), Daphne, AL
Name: Brandon Delane Dowell
Date/Time: 06/21/2026 – 22:54
Offense: Driving Under the Influence – Alcohol
Location: Lake Forest Blvd. and D’Olive Dr, Daphne, AL
Name: Jaiden Taliah Peterson
Date/Time: 06/21/2026 – 23:45
Offense: Driving Under the Influence (Alcohol)
Location: US Hwy 98 @ Walmart Dr., Daphne, AL
Name: Kaleb Dejuan Higginbottom
Date/Time: 06/20/2026 – 01:00
Offense: Driving Under the Influence (Alcohol)
Location: 20000 block of US Hwy 98 (Wild Wing Station), Daphne, AL
Name: Kristy Denise Harris Jerkins
Date/Time: 06/21/2026 – 02:45
Offense: Driving Under the Influence (Alcohol)
Location: 3000 block of US Hwy 98 (Rouse’s Market), Daphne, AL
Name: Anthony Joseph Cogswell
Date/Time: 06/23/2026 – 15:31
Offense: Driving Under the Influence – Controlled Substance
Location: 2000 block of McPhillips Dr., Daphne, AL
Name: John Arthur Dyas
Date/Time: 06/23/2026 – 22:54
Offense: Driving Under the Influence – Alcohol Under Age 21
Location: US Hwy XX @ Randall Ave., Daphne, AL
Name: Tre Nelson King
Date/Time: 06/26/2026 – 01:05
Offense: Driving Under the Influence (Alcohol)
Location: US Hwy 98 @ Santa Rosa Ave., Daphne, AL
Name: Thomas Adam Hall
Date/Time: 06/27/2026 – 22:11
Offense: Driving Under the Influence – Alcohol
Location: US Hwy 98 and N. Main St., Daphne, AL
Name: Alessandro Giovanni Edson
Date/Time: 06/28/2026 – 01:26
Offense: Driving Under the Influence – Alcohol
Location: 20000 block of Co Rd 13 (Daphne Middle School), Daphne, AL
Copyright 2026 Blue RAM Media. All rights reserved.
DAPHNE, Ala. The proposed $81.5 million Italian Village to be located on property at the corner of State Highway 181 and County Road 64 received a final approval from the Daphne City Council.
The construction, which does not currently have a start date, will include a 32-acre mixed-use development that includes a Walmart Neighborhood Market, a luxury apartment complex and eight commercial parcels with a 5-acre public-access pond for walking and recreation.
This project is being developed by Charles Trotman Sr., who represents Joseph A. Allegri Jr. Properties II LLC, Jerry Volovecky Sr., Louise Volovecky and SE Family Partnership.
The deal also includes a $2.5 million tax incentive, with sales tax revenues generated from the neighborhood market and paid back to the company. A maximum of about $850,000 will be paid back to the company annually for a period of four years.
The project of the upscale complex has also added additional retail space after purchasing another piece of property recently.
During the planning phase of the project, Daphne officials negotiated hard with the developer, reducing the number of units for the apartment complex to 200 and Trotman Sr. agreeing to pay for traffic and roundabout improvements along County Road 64 and County Road 13, which includes a right-turn lane on eastbound CR 64 onto southbound State Road 181, as well as improvements to the roundabout at CR 64 and CR 13.
The group stated that they worked hard with the city and Daphne Mayor Robin LeJune to ensure that there would be traffic improvements and design features of both the apartments and retail spaces.
“There’s a lot of good things about the project, so we’re all excited about finally getting all of these things done and moving forward,” LeJune said.
The mayor stated that as this project moves forward, we’ll be meeting over the next few weeks to talk about start dates and other aspects of this development.
Copyright 2026 Blue RAM Media. All rights reserved.
An Alabama state prosecutor reportedly drowned while serving as a spotter for the Pell City Sail Club during an ongoing sailboat race and his body recovered on Monday.
William R. “Bill” North, a well-known 64-year-old assistant district attorney in Jefferson County’s Bessemer Cutoff went into Logan Martin Lake during a sailboat race and did not resurface.
According to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, North tried to transition from a sailboat to an unoccupied john boat when he went into the water.
Emergency personnel were dispatched to the area at around 3 p.m. Sunday near the Pell City Sail Club in St. Clair County, which is near the southern portion of Logan Martin Lake.
North’s body was recovered about 11:12 a.m. Monday, near the same location in which he entered the water on the southern portion of Logan Martin Lake in St. Clair County.
Multiple agencies assisted with search and recovery efforts, said ALEA Capt. Jeremy Burkett: Pell City Police Department, Pell City Fire Department, St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office, Lincoln Special Operations Unit, New London Fire Department, Childersburg Rescue Squad, Munford Rescue Squad, ALEA’s Aviation Unit and ALEA Marine Patrol Troopers.
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CITRONELLE, AL. A tragic fire has taken the life of a bedridden man in Citronelle on Sunday, authorities have reported.
The fire department responded to the home on Johnson Avenue at about 11: a.m. and upon arrival the Citronelle Fire & Rescue found flames and smoke coming from the structure with a report of a person trapped inside.
Additional fire departments responded to a mutual aid call along with EMS and police.
Upon entering the home, firefighters found heavy black smoke coming from the residence. Firefighters initiated rescue and fire attack operations.
Once the fire was knocked down, firefighters entered the residence and found the man deceased.
According to authorities, the Alabama State Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the cause of the fire which is common when a fatality or suspected arson has occurred.
The name of the victim has not been released.
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MOBILE, AL. On Sunday night, June 28th, 2026, the Mobile County 911 Communications Center received a 911 call reporting a shooting on Government Street in front of the public library.
Multiple police vehicles were seen along with Mobile Fire-Rescue and EMS at around 9:30 p.m. caring for a person found lying on the ground who Mobile police later said was a motorcyclist.
Police are investigating a shooting after an injured motorcyclist was found in front of the Mobile Public Library Sunday night.
When MPD officers arrived, they found a man suffering from a potentially life-threatening gunshot wound.
Investigators believe the man was shot at a separate location and rode away on his motorcycle though they have not identified where they believe that the shooting took place.
The unidentified victim was rushed to an area hospital but his condition has not been released.
Police said that this is an active investigation.
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SATSUMA, AL. A single vehicle crash has left one person dead according to ALEA.
According to troopers the wreck occurred at approximately 3:30 p.m. Sunday, June 21, 2026, and it has claimed the life of a McIntosh man.
Demarlo B. Reed, 52, was critically injured when he lost control and was thrown from the 2015 Victory Magnum motorcycle he was operating.
Reed was transported to University (USA) Hospital for medical treatment. On Friday, June 26, Reed succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased while at the hospital.
The crash occurred on Interstate 65 near the 19-mile marker, within the city limits of Satsuma, in Mobile County. Troopers with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s (ALEA) Highway Patrol Division continue to investigate.
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GULF SHORES, Ala. A 39-year-old woman from Oklahoma has died after falling from a vehicle and police are investigating the circumstances.
The Gulf Shores Police Department said that first responders were dispatched to the 2000 block of Gulf Shores Parkway about 1 a.m. Sunday for a woman injured.
Upon arrival, they found Jaclyn Marie Chapman, of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, who was suffering from serious injuries.
Gulf Shores police closed the road to conduct their investigation and were able to determine that prior to the arrival of emergency responders, Chapman was injured in the 11000 block of West Fort Morgan Road.
Authorities said that Chapman was a passenger in the vehicle and that she fell from the moving vehicle though police said that how it happened is still under investigation.
Although Chapman was rushed by EMS to an area hospital, she succumbed to her injuries.
At this time police have not released the vehicle’s drivers name or other information on this death.
Anyone who has information that could assist the investigation or witnessed the incident is asked to contact the Gulf Shores Police Department at 251-968-2431 or gspdpio@gulfshoresal.gov .
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HUNTSVILLE, AL. An illegal alien who crossed into this county without being noticed is now in jail charged with raping a child under the age of twelve according to the Huntsville Police Department.
Officers with the Huntsville Police Department arrested Jesus Alejandro Lopez-Contrerasa, 24 at a residence within the city limits after an investigation. He has been charged him with 1st degree rape.
Police were called to a residence Saturday on Harris Road after a child was sexually assaulted according to the Huntsville Special Victims Unit.
Lopez-Contrerasa is currently being held without bond under an immigration hold at the Madison County Detention Facility.
Additional charges are possible.
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FOLEY, Ala. The outdoor pool at Max Griffin Park has faithfully served the residents of Foly for more than 70 years. It’s been there for those wanting to exercise or just escape the heat of the summers.
But now the city is moving forward with a new indoor aquatics center that will offer much more than a swimming pool.
Mayor Ralph Hellmich said that plans for the indoor aquatic center have been in the works for several years with the city hosting public comment sessions since the original plan was put in place.
And now, the city has announced that the construction plans are now complete and the bidding process will start later this year. Construction is expected to begin by the end of 2026.
The project is expected to take roughly eighteen months to complete after construction begins according to the mayor.
It will be beautiful, functional and offer so much more than just swimming.
The Aquatics Center will be built in Max Griffin Park on West Roosevelt Avenue near the site of the existing outdoor swimming pool. The current pool will remain open while the aquatics center is under construction but will later be reconfigured to include a splash pad or pavilion.
“We’re going from a Memorial Day to the start of school facility to a year-round center that more meets the needs of our citizens. It’s time we had this in Foley”, said the mayor.
Copyright 2026 Blue RAM Media. All rights reserved.
MOBILE, AL. Mobile police and their traffic enforcement unit conducted several traffic enforcement operations in parts of Mobil during the month of June resulting in a significant number of citations being issued to drivers.
According to a Mobile police spokesperson, the operations were conducted on June 11, 2026, and on June 23, 2026.
The enforcement across Mobile was done to improve roadway safety and to reduce dangerous driving behaviors that could result in serious injury or death.
808 citations were issued during the traffic enforcement operation while 171 warnings were issued during the same timeframe. The largest offense was speeding.
Type
Citation
Warning
Speeding
435
51
Red Light
26
6
Stop Sign
6
1
Seat Belt Violation
3
2
Child Restraint
2
0
Following Too Close
3
1
Improper Ln/Turn/Signal
28
9
Misc. Moving
7
5
Driver’s License Violation
26
26
Sus/Rev/Canc DL
23
1
Tag Violation
68
21
Fail to Register
21
11
Move Over Violation
4
0
Passing Stopped School Bus
1
0
Equipment Violation
1
9
Tint Violation
59
26
Insurance Violation
93
1
Texting
2
1
DUI
0
0
Totals
808
171
Arrests
9
Towed Vehicles
3
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GULF SHORES, Ala. A boater in distress 911 call sent beach rescue and the Gulf Shores police and fire departments to the beach area on Wednesday, June 24th, 2026.
Authorities reported that heavy winds pushed a boat with four occupants over and dumped them into the water near Sea and Suds located at 405 E Beach Blvd.
Upon arrival, emergency personnel found that everyone was able to make it to shore and that no one reported being injured.
The boat was later recovered.
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BALDWIN COUNTY, Ala. The past week has been filled with strong storms bringing strong winds, and heavy rains, remnants of Tropical Storm Arthur.
We recently reported on an EF-0 tornado that briefly touched down just west of Highway 225, between Kilcrease Road and Green Jordan Road, before lifting east of the highway.
But now, the National Weather Service says that there were three tornadoes that hit Mobile and Baldwin Counties, on June 18th, 2026, luckily, only causing minor damage.
Storm surveys conducted by the National Weather Service office in Mobile confirmed two tornadoes in Mobile and Baldwin counties. Radar data also identified a third touchdown in Baldwin County.
NWS now says that an EF-1 tornado was confirmed near Magnolia Grove in Mobile County
The Mobile County tornado touched down at 6:55 p.m. near Howells Ferry Road and Grider Road, just east of Orchard.
Initially rated a weak EF-0, the tornado caused minor damage, bringing down branches across two properties. It strengthened as it moved southeast through neighborhoods near Carlisle Drive, Central Boulevard and Mississippi Street. Survey crews found several large, uprooted trees and widespread snapped branches
The tornado continued east toward Moffett Road, where officials believe it traveled near the roadway before uprooting additional trees near a water treatment plant north of Moffett Road.
The tornado dissipated near Northview Drive at 6:59 p.m.
The National Weather Services said that this tornado was assigned an EF-1 rating with estimated peak winds of 90 mph. The path measured approximately 2.32 miles long and reached a maximum width of 40 yards.
They also have now confirmed that another tornado tracked 2 miles north-northwest of Spanish Fort in Baldwin County. Officials reported trees down along Buzbee Road, including one that fell onto a trailer. The touchdown time was estimated from radar data.
Meteorologists use the Enhanced Fujita Scale to estimate tornado intensity based on the damage left behind.
EF-0: 65 to 85 mph winds
EF-1: 86 to 110 mph winds
EF-2: 111 to 135 mph winds
EF-3: 136 to 165 mph winds
EF-4: 166 to 200 mph winds
EF-5: More than 200 mph winds
The National Weather Service said the June 18 survey findings are preliminary and could be updated after final review and publication in official storm reports.
Copyright 2026 Blue RAM Media. All rights reserved.
SARALAND, Ala. An investigation was initiated by the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office after a tip about a Saraland man involved in online child pornography crimes.
The Sheriff’s Office Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Unit was able to secure a search warrant for the home of Hubert Eugene Richardson Jr. and after conducting the search determined that Richardson was in possession of child pornography.
Richardson was then placed under arrest and has been charged with five counts of unlawful possession with intent to disseminate child pornography and five counts of unlawful possession of child pornography.
Sheriff’s officials said the investigation began earlier this month after investigators received information from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children about suspected child sexual abuse material being distributed online. In conjunction with state and federal agencies, the sheriff’s office identified Richardson as a suspect.
Richardson was taken to the Mobile County Metro Jail as of Thursday night, jail records showed. He has a bond hearing scheduled for Friday.
“This arrest reflects our unwavering commitment to protecting children and aggressively pursuing those who exploit them online,” Sheriff Paul Burch said in a statement. “Our ICAC investigators work tirelessly alongside our law enforcement partners to identify offenders, rescue victims, and hold those responsible accountable.”
Anyone with information regarding the exploitation of children is encouraged to visit www.mobileso.com/crimetips/ or contact the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office at 251-574-8633.
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FOLEY, Ala. Police were called to a neighborhood on Sunday, June 21, 2026, to investigate a report of vehicles being broken into.
Officers spotted a man walking away from the area and stopped him as part of their investigation.
Police determined that Dillan C Frisbie was involved in breaking into several vehicles.
Frisbie was taken into custody and charged with three counts of Unlawful Breaking and Entering of a Vehicle and with Making Terrorist Threats 2nd Degree.
Police also added two additional charges of Enter/Remain in Building/Fenced Property and Obstructing Police- Attempting to Elude Police.
Frisbie is currently being held at the Baldwin County Detention Center.
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At approximately 2:50 p.m., Sunday, June 21, 2026, a distress call from a boater in Mobile Bay off from the coast of Fairhope called 911 to report that the vessel was dead in the water and drifting further out.
The vessel had several people aboard.
The Fairhope Fire Department was dispatched to assess the situation and they in turn called for assistance from the Daphne Fire Department, and the Fairhope police also responded to the area.
It was learned that there were two vessels that were having mechanical issues and ALEA’s Marine Police were dispatched to render aid.
ALEA was able to render assistance to both vessels, and they got back underway by 3:20 p.m.
There were no reports of injuries or what caused the mechanical issues.
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MONTGOMERY, Ala. Alabama offers many summer camps for children but sometimes, they’re not safe and children do get hurt and even die.
But a new state law, known as Sarah Marsh’s Heaven’s Twenty-Seven Camp Safety Act, is prompting camps to review and update their emergency procedures ahead of its implementation which begins on January 1, 2027.
This law specifically mandates how camps are to oversee safety of their staff and campers as well as being prepared for emergencies. While some summer camps have already taken steps to keep campers safe, they still believe that the law will strengthen safety programs at camps across the state.
At Camp Cosby on Lake Logan Martin, leaders say safety has always been a priority, but the new requirements have provided an opportunity to take a fresh look at existing plans.
“The responsibility that the YMCA has and Camp Cosby has is significant when we’re responsible for the kids and the staff that are here,” said Camp Cosby Executive Director Steve Merifield. “Whatever we can do to make sure our safety procedures are in place and that our staff are prepared, we take that very seriously.”
We looked at statistical data for Alabama and although the average annual death rates at summer camps were infrequent, injuries, ranging from broken bones, medical emergencies and trauma were reported regularly.
There is no single annual figure for camper deaths, as it fluctuates heavily. Over the last few decades, a statistical average has generally ranged from 10 to 20 deaths per year across the millions of children who attend camps nationwide. Causes typically include drowning, sudden medical conditions, and extreme natural disasters.
But in recent years, fatalities at summer camps have risen, many from natural disasters including flooding and tornadoes.
The Alabama legislation was signed into law earlier this year and aims to improve emergency preparedness at camps across the state.
Emergency management agencies are also helping camps prepare for the upcoming changes. Officials say they are working with camp operators to develop, review and update emergency operations plans before the law takes effect.
“They are working together to establish and create EOPs, do reviews and updates,” said Michael Derzis, a Jefferson County Emergency Management officer.
Micheal Duress, a former camp manager for a church youth group said that many small camps can’t afford to have full-time nurses or medics at camp for a week or two at a time and that they have always had to call 911 and helped the injured or sick camper until help arrived.
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BALDWIN COUNTY, Ala. Investigators from several agencies have arrested a former office manager in the theft of more than $895,000.
Gregory Anderson, also known as Gregory Leffler, is accused of stealing the money while employed and collecting Social Security Disability Insurance.
Authorities reported that the crime was uncovered internally and law enforcement was called in to investigate.
Prosecutors say Anderson received about $61,609 in Social Security Disability Insurance benefits he was not entitled to between 2018 and 2023. While collecting disability, investigators say he worked as an office manager for a residential and commercial soil‑testing company in Baldwin County and failed to report his income, which exceeded federal limits.
According to authorities, Anderson is also accused of embezzling about $834,186.70 from the same business between late 2021 and October 2023.
The scheme, which was uncovered with the help of phone and financial records, went on for several years unnoticed.
The suspect is currently charged with theft of government money, wire fraud and aggravated identity theft.
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