SARALAND, Ala. A traffic collision involving a school bus injured at least two people and caused upwards of fifteen hundred people to be without power for a short time. Most customers were restored within an hour.
Police stated that the school bus which was carrying 11 students crashed into a power pole on Monday around 4 p.m. near Celeste and Radcliff Roads.
The school bus and a passenger vehicle collided first and then the school bus hit a light pole. At least two people were taken to the hospital with injuries including one student who had a severe head gash.
Authorities said that that the other children and the bus driver were not injured.
The cause of the wreck is under investigation, and the name of the school bus driver has not been released.
Copyright 2026 Blue RAM Media. All rights reserved.
FAIRHOPE, Ala. You can often spot sailboats out on the Mobile Bay enjoying a relaxing day on the water. From time to time, local Regattas are also held by the Fairhope Yacht Club or other local organizers.
But soon, you’ll be able to enjoy several larger raises being held near the Fairhope Pier.
Performance Regattas Fast Eddie Cup has recently announced that it’ll be bringing two racing events to Fairhope, and the winners will take home more than a trophy! They’ll also be taking some cash!
The first event is being held from April 10-12 at the Fairhope Municipal Pier. The second event in Fairhope has been scheduled from June 26 to 28. Up to 15 teams of two will be able to compete to win $15,000.
But someone will also be walking away with the Grand Final prize of $50,000.
Competitors can compete one weekend or in both “mini-series’ events. Those competing in the mini-series can earn the series title, increase their winnings, and have the opportunity to advance to the Grand Final, winning the bigger cash prize.
“Fairhope is the perfect place for this kind of racing,” said Chris Morrison, founder of the Performance Regattas Fast Eddie Cup. “It’s a waterfront community that embraces innovation and sport, and we’re excited to introduce a faster, more spectator-friendly version of sailing.”
The league will provide sailors with foiling BirdyFish boats, which “removes traditional barriers to entry,” the release said.
Those wishing to compete must be at least 15 years old. Sailors under 15 must be accompanied by an adult.
To register or find out more information, visit the Performance Regattas website. ( https://www.performanceregattas.us/)
Copyright 2026 Blue RAM Media. All rights reserved.
By Digital Media Staff Blue RAM Media/Gulf Coast News
March 19, 2026
BILOXI, MS. Authorities have now identified the person who was struck and killed by an Amtrak train on Wednesday morning while walking on the tracks.
Authorities say that Grassney Tucker, 43, of Gulfport was walking on the tracks near Irish Hill Drive and Rodenberg Avenue at around 7:55 a.m.
It’s unclear why Tucker was on the tracks, but the train was able to avoid colliding with him. Police, EMS and the fire department all rushed to the scene, but Tucker was deceased.
Authorities said that the scene was cleared by 9:30 a.m., and the train was allowed to move on, according to police.
The investigation remains ongoing.
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PRICHARD, Ala. A Prichard police officer, arrested on February 12, 2026, on a grand jury indictment is now facing federal charges in the theft of firearms stolen by the officer.
According to court documents, investigators searched the home of Officer Ryan Phillips on Wesley Avenue after he shot and killed his roommate, San Juanita Coronado, in February.
Investigators discovered that Phillips planned to move out of the home the day of the shooting and had scheduled a U-Haul. Phillips claimed Coronado was upset he was moving out and insisted he leave all the guns.
According to the federal document, Coronado then barricaded herself and threatened to shoot Phillips and that is when Phillips fired. The affidavit says a gun was found under Coronado’s body.
Coronado reached out to a Mobile police officer a month before she was killed, asking the officer “if someone puts you in a chokehold and busts your forehead, who goes to jail?” The court documents said the MPD officer responded that she would be the one to go to jail because she had taken Phillips’ cellular telephone. The records also show Coronado sent the officer a picture of a laceration on her forehead.
At this time, Phillips has not ben charged in the shooting death of his roommate however, the investigation led to state charges against Phillips involving three stolen guns.
ATF agents and local law enforcement said that they found 14 guns at the home including four guns that had been reported stolen by their owners.
Federal authorities have put a hold on Phillips who remains in Mobile Jail while they continue to investigate. Agents said that a stolen Taurus firearm found amongst the guns at the Wesley Avenue home had been photographed by Phillips while on duty at the scene of a car crash on Frontage Road in January.
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GULF SHORES, Ala. The popularity of Alabama’s beautiful Gulf Coast continues to be a gem in the state, drawing millions of tourists to southern Alabama, year after year. Of course, millions of people also equate into millions of dollars of revenue for local businesses and for our state.
New figures shared during the annual Tourism Summit hosted by Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism show visitor spending on lodging rentals across Alabama’s Beaches — including Gulf Shores, Orange Beach and Fort Morgan — reached a record $923 million in 2025, surpassing the $871 million reported in 2024 and more than doubling totals from a decade ago.
The once, spring and summer destination has developed into a yar round vacation magnetic for everyone from spring breakers to snowbirds and those just seeking a restful weekend away at the beach.
Alabama’s Gulf Coast continues to grow as a vacation destination for families across the Southeast, and across the country with new tourism data showing record spending and steady visitation along the state’s white-sand beaches.
Besides our beaches, tourists can have everything from fine dining to fresh seafood or anything in between and when the weather turns gray and wet, there’s plenty of other places to see, shopping to do and activities that’ll keep everyone entertained and busy!
$1.42 billion in retail sales were reported in 2025, slightly higher than the $1.41 billion recorded the previous year.
Tourism leaders say the numbers reflect the growing appeal of Alabama’s 32 miles of white-sand beaches as a year-round destination for families.
“Data from the past three years shows that while summer is still king, spring and fall visitation are holding steady across both vacation rentals and hotels, with minimal variances, year-over-year,” said Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism President and CEO Beth Gendler.
Gendler said steady visitation throughout the year provides stability for local businesses and workers.
“This shows that our efforts to continuously tell the story of Alabama’s Beaches as a great year-round vacation destination are working. Having strong visitation in all seasons is vital to our local businesses because consistent occupancy levels throughout the year mean they can keep their staff employed all year, which means those workers can deliver consistent, friendly service to our guests no matter which season they visit us,” she said.
The new airport and convenient flights to our beaches is also helping to make flying in for a weekend or a week much easier.
Tourism officials say growing sports tourism is also helping drive visitors outside the traditional summer season.
During the summit, Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism Vice President of Sales, Sports & Events Michelle Russ provided an update on the proposed Herbert J. Malone Sportsplex, a planned athletic complex on 111.26 acres north of Coastal Gateway Boulevard near the Foley Beach Express.
Officials say additional sports facilities are needed due to the continued growth of youth and amateur sports tourism, increasing use of fields by local school and recreational programs and rising competition from other destinations expanding their own sports complexes.
Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism officials say the destination’s continued growth reflects decades of marketing efforts targeting family beach travel, fishing, golf, meetings and conventions, sports tourism and expanding air travel markets.
Final economic impact figures for 2025 from the Alabama Tourism Department are expected later this spring.
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BALDWIN COUNTY, Ala. It was a cool dark early October evening when a woman driving home to Stapleton from her job in Foley had a minor fender bender. The woman offered her insurance information to the other driver, but he wanted to call the police. About forty minutes later, a Loxley police officer showed up which the woman found odd since she was closer to Stapleton then Loxley. A report was taken and both drivers went on their way.
Recently, I witnessed a multi-vehicle wreck near Buc-ee’s and several people called 911. Once again, it was surprising the variety of agencies that responded. Styx River Fire Department, Loxley police and the Rosinton Volunteer Fire Department all responded. Firefighters attended to the minor injuries of the drivers while the Loxley police officers investigated the wreck and completed an accident report.
Increasingly, you see both police and fire departments responding outside of their jurisdiction and thought it might be confusing to long-time residents, there’s several reasons why this is happening.
One of the reasons is something called annexation which is when a local or county governmental entity incorporates territory, area, or property under its control often extending its laws, services, and taxing authority over the newly joined land. It’s a way for cities and counties to grow which is happening right now in some of the fastest growing areas of Baldwin County. This increases that city’s population, and tax base while also increasing the response area of the local police and fire departments.
In a once rural area of Baldwin County, along Monk Road and County Road 3, a new development is under construction. The new 18-hole golf course and residential community sit south of Fairhope in the county is currently policed by the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Department while receiving fire protection from the Barnwell Volunteer Fire Department. But that could change soon because the City of Fairhope has been eyeing possible annexation of the new 310- home residential development. The community would then have access to all Fairhope public services including its police and fire departments, utility services and be governed by the city of Fairhope.
In Alabama, municipal police departments have the authority to patrol and exercise law enforcement powers in areas outside their corporate city limits, known as the Police Jurisdiction (PJ).
For cities with 6,000 or more residents: The police jurisdiction extends up to 3 miles beyond the corporate limits. For towns with less than 6,000 residents: The police jurisdiction extends up to 1.5 miles beyond the corporate limits.
A call last year about a deceased person being found in a wooded area of Spanish Fort brought the Spanish fort Fire Department, Medstar and deputy sheriff’s, not the Spanish Fort police to the scene. The area where the person was found was just off Buzbee Road and just outside of the Spanish Fort police jurisdiction.
As Baldwin County continues to grow and subdivisions and businesses continue to push further into what once was a rural area of Baldwin County, the lines of policing and fire protection will also expand or shrink.
The Barnwell Community is ripe for continual growth and may one day soon need its own police force.
To the north of Spanish Fort, growth in the way of subdivisions and retail stores is already happening.
A major planned golf community near Spanish Fort in an area called Longleaf could also expand the jurisdiction of the Spanish Fort police and fire departments. This area is currently serviced by the sheriff’s department and several volunteer fire departments.
We spoke with representatives of most city police departments in Baldwin County for this news story and only a few said that they patrol outside of their city limits but do respond when a neighboring agency calls for their assistance. Locally, fire departments, paid and volunteer operation on a mutual-aid or a Memorandum of Understanding agreement that allows them to respond to assist each other during major fires, incidents or when a department’s staffing is low or no one is available to respond to an emergency call.
The Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office has countywide authority and may patrol all areas of the county, conduct traffic stops and make arrests even on Intestate 10 and I-65.
So, the next time that you call for help from the police, don’t be surprised which police department responds to your call.
Copyright 2026 Blue RAM Media. All rights reserved.
By: Digital News Team Blue RAM Media/Gulf Coast News
March 18, 2026
MONTGOMERY Ala. — As Spring Break travel ramps up across Alabama, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) is urging motorists and students to make smart decisions before celebrations begin, emphasizing that enforcement will extend beyond highways and into illegal activity often associated with Spring Break gatherings. Through its annual “Think Smart Before You Start Spring Break” campaign, ALEA is highlighting the importance of both safe travel and responsible behavior as activity increases statewide.
Spring Break is one of the busiest travel periods of the year, and ALEA Troopers will be highly visible on Alabama roadways, focusing on speeding, impaired driving, distracted driving and seat belt compliance. “Spring Break travel brings heavier traffic volumes and increased risks on our roadways,” said Colonel Jonathan Archer, Director of ALEA’s Department of Public Safety (DPS).
“Our Troopers will be proactively patrolling across the state to deter dangerous driving behaviors and respond quickly when needed. We are asking drivers to slow down, stay focused and make responsible choices behind the wheel so everyone reaches their destination safely.”
Beyond the roadway, ALEA officials emphasize that safety extends into communities and social settings as well. Special Agents assigned to ALEA’s State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) Alcohol Unit will be actively working cases involving underage drinking, illegal alcohol sales and the use of fraudulent identification. “Illegal activity doesn’t get a pass during Spring Break,” said SBI Director Chris Inabinett. “Our Special Agents are committed to identifying and investigating violations involving underage drinking and illegal alcohol activity. These are not minor offenses; they carry real legal consequences and can quickly escalate into dangerous situations.”
As the state’s top law enforcement official, ALEA Secretary Hal Taylor emphasized that public safety remains a unified effort across all divisions of the Agency. “Whether on our highways or within our communities, our mission remains the same, to protect life and uphold the law,” Secretary Taylor said.
“ALEA Troopers and Special Agents will be working together throughout Spring Break to ensure that those traveling and those celebrating do so safely and responsibly. We want everyone to enjoy this time, but more importantly, we want them to make it home.
Thinking smart before you start can prevent a moment of poor judgment from becoming a lifelong consequence.” Under Alabama law, individuals under the age of 21 who possess or consume alcohol may face criminal charges. Providing alcohol to minors or using fake identification can also result in significant penalties. In addition to enforcement efforts, ALEA is actively engaging students across the state through hands-on safety initiatives, including “Prom Promise” and Fatal Vision events. These programs are designed to show, not just tell, the real-life consequences of impaired driving. Prom Promise events use powerful, scenario-based demonstrations to illustrate how quickly poor decisions can lead to tragedy, while Fatal Vision courses allow students to experience firsthand how alcohol and drugs impair coordination, reaction time and judgment. These interactive events are currently underway statewide and will continue throughout Spring Break and the prom season into April, reinforcing ALEA’s commitment to reaching young drivers before a critical decision is made.
ALEA encourages all travelers and students to plan ahead and make responsible choices before heading out: • Never drink and drive or ride with an impaired driver • Plan safe transportation in advance • Obey all traffic laws and posted speed limits • Always wear a seat belt and avoid distractions • Watch for pedestrians and increased foot traffic in popular destinations, pedestrians should also follow safety guidelines • Understand the risk and legal consequences of underage drinking “Spring Break should be remembered for the right reasons,” Secretary Taylor added.
“A smart decision before you start can make the difference between making memories and facing consequences.”
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FAIRHOPE, Ala. A call about smoke in a home quickly turned into a structure fire in Fairhope on Monday evening. Fairhope firefighters responded on March 16th, 2026, to the home located at 20005 River Mill Dr at about 7: 49 p.m. and found smoke coming from the attic area.
A mutual-aid automatic response also brought fire departments from Daphne, Silverhill, and others along with Fairhope police.
Firefighters were able to quickly bring the incident under control, although some damage to the structure was reported.
At this time, no injuries have been reported, and the cause of the fire is unknown.
Copyright 2026 Blue RAM Media. All rights reserved.
FOLEY, Ala. The Foley police and fire departments responded to a wreck reported to be a near head-on collision Tuesday afternoon.
The Baldwin County 911 Communications Center received several calls reporting the collision at North McKenzie Street and East Azalea Avenue and emergency responders arrived to find that at least one person was trapped in one of the vehicles. Firefighters worked to extricate that passenger while Medstar arrived and began treating other patients.
A medical helicopter was dispatched to the scene to airlift one person to an area trauma center.
Currently, Foley police are investigating the traffic collision.
Copyright 2026 Blue RAM Media. All rights reserved.
MOBILE, AL. The Mobile County Sheriff’s Office updated their ongoing investigation into the shooting death of Isaiah Cortez Johnson which occurred on Sunday, March 15, 2026, at 79 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue in Prichard.
On March 16, 2026, Jonathan Lee Robinson (DOB 03/12/2006) and Jamarcus Leon Robinson (DOB 03/30/2010) were brought to the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office by their parents for their alleged involvement in the incident listed above.
Following interviews with both suspects, Mobile County Sheriff’s Office Detectives have charged Jonathan Lee Robinson with felony murder, and he has been transported to Metro Jail.
Jamarcus Robinson has been released at this time. Additionally, the other passengers in the vehicle have been identified as juveniles, and all three will also receive felony murder charges.
Copyright 2026 Blue RAM Media. All rights reserved.
Another new road is in the works for Baldwin County and this time it’ll be in the Loxley area, and the project is estimated to take about three years.
This $16.3 million project will partner the Baldwin County Commission with Loxley on a new east-to-west corridor between U.S. Highway 31 and Alabama Highway 59. The county will split the cost with the city of Loxley.
It will include a 480-foot bridge over Fish River and will complete an already existing link by adding a connection between Bedrock Boulevard and Highway 59.
“While portions of this route already exist, this project brings it all together, creating a continuous corridor that improves travel efficiency and supports faster emergency response,” the Commission stated in an announcement.
Baldwin County Engineer Frank Lundy said Loxley will handle maintenance on the roadway once it has been completed.
“So, very impressive for a local government to do a project of this magnitude,” said Lundy.
Commissioner Matt McKenzie said the new segment will help first responders during emergencies.
The project must first undergo environmental reviews and permitting.
The 30 Cubed program was launched in 2025, and the Loxley project will be the seventh under the program.
The 30 Cubed Program is a Baldwin County initiative launched in May 2025 that pairs $30 million in county funds with municipal contributions to generate $60 million for road improvements by 2030. It focuses on building or improving local infrastructure through 50/50 cost-sharing partnerships to increase capacity and connectivity.
Copyright 2026 Blue RAM Media. All rights reserved.
CONECUH COUNTY, Ala. A single-vehicle crash that occurred at approximately 8:20 p.m. Saturday, March 14, 2026, has claimed the life of a Castleberry woman.
Fire and EMS were dispatched to Conecuh County 23 near Conecuh County 15, approximately 10 miles west of Evergreen city limits, in Conecuh County for a wreck with injuries.
ALEA troopers also responded to the scene.
Brandy S. Willis, 29, was fatally injured when the 2011 GMC Yukon she was driving left the roadway and overturned. Willis was ejected and pronounced deceased at the scene.
However, Troopers with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s (ALEA) Highway Patrol Division are continuing to review evidence from the scene to make a determination concerning the cause of the wreck.
Nothing further is available as ALEA Troopers continue to investigate.
Copyright 2026 Blue RAM Media. All rights reserved.
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. Three military personnel from Alabama have been killed during Operation Epic Fury including Maj. John A. “Alex” Klinner, 33.
Shortly after the announcement of his death, a GoFundMe for the Trussville man was established and has reached over $1 million in donations.
Major Klinner, was one of six killed in an incident involving a KC-135 and another aircraft.
According to a local media report, Klinner’s sister-in-law set up the GoFundMe to support Klinner’s wife, Libby, and the couple’s three children. Within hours, the fundraiser reached its $150,000 goal, and it increased to $1.5 million after donations poured in, surpassing $1 million.
Among donors was billionaire hedge fund manager Bill Ackman, who gave $100,000.
Since then, GoFundMe pages have also been set up for soldiers who have been killed in service to their country.
Two others killed in the incident were from the 99th Air Refueling Squadron from Sumpter Smith Joint National Guard Base in Birmingham. Tech Sgt. Ashley B. Pruitt, 34, and Capt. Ariana G. Savino, 31, were killed alongside three others from the Ohio National Guard.
At this time, at least three Alabamian soldiers have died, and others have been wounded since the war on Iran began.
Copyright 2026 Blue RAM Media. All rights reserved.
FAIRHOPE, Ala. A driver lost control of their vehicle Saturday afternoon, crashing through several yards before finally striking a house.
Authorities received a 911 call on March 14th, 2026, shortly after 1 p.m. reporting the crash with several people injured and the Fairhope police and fire departments were dispatched to the wreck on Cottage Drive.
Upon arrival, police found that two adults and a child were inside the car at the time of the wreck and EMS responded to the scene. One of the injured persons had serious injuries and a medical helicopter was dispatched, and the patient was airlifted to an area trauma center.
Authorities say that the house sustained substantial damage.
Less than two hours later, a second vehicle crashed into a different house, this time in Loxley.
This time the Loxley police and fire departments, along with Medstar EMS were dispatched to 17538 CR 64 near WD Parker Road. One person was injured and transported to an area hospital. Loxley police are investigating the crash.
Copyright 2026 Blue RAM Media. All rights reserved.
MONTGOMERY, Ala. The Alabama Supreme Court ruled Friday that police officers may demand physical identification from someone during a lawful investigative stop if the person gives an incomplete or unsatisfactory answer when asked to identify themselves.
People frequently give false names or identify themselves as someone other than who they are. Sometimes it’s because they have outstanding arrest warrants and other times, they just don’t want to identify themselves.
Now, in a decision answering a certified question from a federal court, the justices said Alabama’s “stop and identify” law allows officers to require a suspect to provide identifying information in a form that enables officers to confirm who they are.
State law already allowed police officers to clearly identify a person suspected of a crime.
The case arose after Childersburg police responded to a 911 call in 2022 reporting a “younger black male” and an unfamiliar vehicle at a home whose elderly owners were away. Officers encountered Michael Jerome Jennings watering flowers. He told officers he was a pastor who lived across the street and was watching the home, but he refused to provide identification when asked. He was arrested and charged with obstructing a governmental function.
The charge was later dismissed.
Jennings sued in federal court, alleging unlawful and retaliatory arrest. After conflicting interpretations of Alabama law by federal courts, a U.S. district judge asked the Alabama Supreme Court whether state law prohibits officers from demanding physical identification when a person provides an incomplete or unsatisfactory oral response.
The justices answered ‘No.’
Alabama Code allows officers who reasonably suspect someone is committing, has committed or is about to commit a crime to stop the person and demand their “name, address and an explanation of his actions.”
The high court held that although the statute does not explicitly mention physical identification, it does not bar officers from requesting or demanding it when necessary to verify the information they are legally entitled to obtain.
In its opinion, the court said that once a valid stop is made under the reasonable suspicion standard established in Terry v. Ohio, a suspect bears the burden of completely identifying themselves. Failing to provide sufficient identifying information when lawfully demanded violates Alabama law, the court said.
The majority emphasized that officers may demand identifying information “in a format that would allow the officer to affirmatively identify the suspect,” and that requesting physical identification can be a permissible way to do that.
Several justices wrote separately to clarify the scope of the ruling. They stressed that the statute does not permit random demands for identification and applies only during lawful investigative stops supported by reasonable suspicion.
A dissenting justice agreed with the statutory interpretation but argued the court should not have answered the question because a federal appeals court had already ruled on the issue in the underlying case.
This ruling strengthens police officers’ authority to firmly identify a person during investigative stops or when a person is suspected of committing a crime and the ability to require physical identification instead of taking someone’s word.
Before Friday’s decision, some federal court opinions had suggested Alabama law allowed officers to ask for a name and address but not to require production of physical identification. The state Supreme Court’s decision clarifies that, if a person’s oral response is incomplete or nonresponsive, officers may demand identification to confirm the required information.
The ruling does not create a general requirement that citizens must always carry physical identification.
Copyright 2026 Blue RAM Media. All rights reserved.
MOBILE, Ala. During the past few months, we have inquired about the status of the new Interstate 10 Mobile River Bridge and Bayway project.
We have contacted Alabama Department of Transportation, state representatives and other governmental agencies with little response.
Many people are curious about where this project stands and if it’s even going to happen.
U.S. Sen. Katie Britt recently said that she and Sen. Tommy Tuberville recently met with the U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy to discuss the Interstate 10 Mobile River Bridge and Bayway project.
Part of the holdup seems to be the status of a TIFIA loan to help pay for the project. TIFIA — the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act — provides low-interest loans for infrastructure projects.
This project has had some preparation functions happening such as soil testing and a survey of the path of the bridge to determine several other things including historical significance. From November 2021-June 2023, archaeologists excavated 15 sites in the Right-of-Way of the new bridge. These sites are historically significant and can add to our knowledge of the past. These sites span the entire history of Mobile Bay, ranging from Native American sites from thousands of years ago, to French and Spanish colonial occupations, to our most recent history. Much of the project area was part of the Down the Bay neighborhood in the late 19th- and early 20th centuries.
Other preparatory activities are also happening, but no physical construction can take place until financing is determined.
“I am hopeful that in the next little bit we will be able to finalize the process of TIFIA and hopefully be able to get moving on that project in the very near future and that will be a great day for Mobile and Baldwin County,” Britt said.
No word has been released on the status of the loan. Britt said the bridge is a “must do” project.
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ORANGE BEACH, Ala. Attorney General Steve Marshall will present two 2025 Safe School Awards on Tuesday, March 17. At 10:00 a.m.
Attorney General Marshall will present the award to Orange Beach Middle & High School in Orange Beach. At 1:00 p.m. The school is located at 23908 Canal Road, Orange Beach.
Attorney General Marshall will also present an award to ACCEL Academy School in Mobile located at 3725 Airport Blvd, Suite 161, Mobile. This award will be presented at 1 p.m.
Each awards presentation will include representatives from school and law enforcement.
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BALDWIN COUNTY, Ala. On Wednesday, March 11th, 2026, across Baldwin County, more than a dozen traffic collisions with injuries were reported.
Fire, police and EMS began responding to the wrecks in the early morning hours and were still responding when most of us went to bed that evening.
The higher-than-normal volume of traffic, spring break and a foggy start to the day may have added some of the ingredients and reasons for the wrecks, but drivers contribute to most wrecks caused on our roadways.
Crashes that involved injuries in Daphne, Lillian, Foley, Loxley, rural Baldwin County, Elberta, Spanish Fort, Robertsdale, and Gulf Shores were among the areas where people were injured, roads were blocked and traffic was delay. In several of these locations, two or more wrecks with people hurt occurred on the same day.
At around 11:30 a.m., a crash in Lillian near 32695 CR 98 brought a large response from several fire departments, EMS and state troopers as did a wreck on Interstate 10 in Lillian at the forty-four mile-marker where a vehicle flew off the Interstate and onto the surface road below near Flowerwood Nursery on Kelly Road where the driver was injured.
Another serious crash occurred shortly after 1 p.m. in Elberta near the intersection of Krehling Road and Kenneth Lee Lane where a vehicle crashed into a pole. The driver received injuries and was transported to a local hospital.
Foley police and fire departments responded to several serious injury crashes, one involving a motorcycle on South McKenzie Road and the other a multiple vehicle collision with serious injuries at S McKenzie and E. Mrytle Avenue.
Other motor vehicle collisions with injuries were reported on Battleship Parkway, I-10, tow on highway 59 including a pedestrian struck by a vehicle in Robertsdale.
No fatalities were reported and several of the wrecks are still under investigation.
Copyright 2026 Blue RAM Media. All rights reserved.
PRICHARD, Ala. A Pritchard police officer has been arrested after a secret Grand Jury Indictment was handed down.
Ryan Phillips was arrested on Thursday, March 12, 2026, and charged with three counts of receiving stolen property.
According to a news release from Mobile County District Attorney Keith Blackwood, Phillips is accused of a theft from a crime scene.
On February 12, 2026, officers responded to a shooting on Wesley Avenue that left a woman dead. Investigators found 14 firearms, including some that were reportedly stolen.
Following the shooting, city officials confirmed a Prichard police officer was involved in the shooting.
The case was then handed over to the DA’s office.
Phillips’ bond is set at $15,000 for each charge he faces.
The investigation into the shooting is still ongoing.
“The badge represents public trust,” said District Attorney Keith Blackwood. “When evidence shows that someone in a position of public trust may have violated the law, we have a duty to act immediately. These charges reflect the evidence presented to the Grand Jury, and the case will now proceed through the AL Criminal Justice system, Blackwood said.”
Copyright 2026 Blue RAM Media. All rights reserved.
MOBILE, Ala. Recent traffic accidents have resulted in a high number of fatalities so far this year, leading the Mobile Police Department to actively address this trend.
From February 24, 2026, to March 10, 2026, officers conducted directed enforcement across Mobile to improve roadway safety and to reduce dangerous driving behaviors that could result in serious injury or death.
Of the eight traffic fatalities recorded in our community this year, six have involved speed as a contributing factor. Last year at this time, the Mobile Police Department worked on four traffic fatalities.
Police concentrated in various areas of the city and 1,720 citations were issued during this two-week traffic enforcement operation, while 331 warnings were issued during the same timeframe. The largest offense was speeding.
Thirteen felony arrests were made, along with seven misdemeanor arrests during the two-week traffic enforcement operation.
See the breakdown below:
Type
Citation
Warning
Speeding
865
101
Red Light
29
15
Stop Sign
6
3
Seat Belt Violation
7
5
Child Restraint
17
2
Following Too Close
1
0
Improper Ln/Turn/Signal
6
5
Misc. Moving
49
29
Driver’s License Violation
87
25
Sus/ Rev/ Canc DL
59
1
Tag Violation
225
71
Fail to Register
23
7
Move Over Violation
1
0
Passing Stppd School Bus
3
0
Equipment Violation
1
3
Tint Violation
53
51
Insurance Violation
284
12
Texting
4
1
DUI
0
0
Totals
1720
331
Total Citations & Warning Citations
2051
Motorists are reminded to obey posted speed limits and drive responsibly.
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