GULF SHORES, Ala. As the demand for fancier hotels, upscale restaurants and unique nightspots continue to grow along Alabama’s Gulf Coast, current and future business owners must become more creative and outdo their competitors.
There are dozens of restaurants, hotels and bars of all types that currently line our beaches from the Flora-Bama to the furthest point of Gulf Shores, but creativity and uniqueness is what drives people’s curiosity and a new business coming to our beach will surely do just that.
The AC Hotel Orange Beach, a six-story, 100-room Marriott hotel, is expected to feature a 3,500-square-foot rooftop lounge that will be open to the public when the project opens in the second quarter of 2028. This feature alone is different for our area because it’ll be the first rooftop lounge on the beach in our area.
Zach Hoyt, president of Gulf Shores-based A&R Development, which is developing the Marriott-branded hotel, said the rooftop lounge is designed to be the property’s signature attraction and will welcome both hotel guests and the public.
He called it an “experience that doesn’t exist anywhere in the market today.”
“Orange Beach has grown into one of the premier destinations in the Southeast and it deserves a hotel that matches that,” Hoyt said.
Rooftop bars have become a staple, a must have in recent years, drawing visitors and locals alike to enjoy dinner, or a cocktail and conversation while taking in the sights, the vibe and the outdoors.
The Orange Beach City Council addressed several concerns about the venue located at 23370 Perdido Beach Blvd including operating hours and noise and loud bands, but it does seem to have support from the council and will most likely be approved. This location was once the Romar Beach Baptist Church that was destroyed by Hurricane Ivan in 2004, rebuilt in 2008 and then heavily damaged again during Hurricane Sally in 2020.
Hoyt told council members the rooftop venue is intended to function more as a lounge than a bar. It will connect to eight of the hotel’s guest rooms and have a maximum occupancy of 100 people. He said it is far from being considered a “raucous or rowdy bar” and is expected to close around 11 p.m.
The lounge’s outdoor patio will close around 10 p.m., Hoyt said.
Hotel occupancy continues to outpace vacation rental occupancy in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, according to June destination indicators provided by the local tourism agency. While vacation rentals that typically require longer stays averaged between 50% and 55% occupancy during the spring months, hotels averaged between 74% and 77%.
Beth Gendler, president and CEO of Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism, called the addition of a rooftop lounge an attractive addition to the coastal region’s growing portfolio of lodging options.
The AC Hotel Orange Beach is expected to begin construction later this year.
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BALDWIN COUNTY, Ala. Emergencies can and do happen anytime, anyplace and sometimes, one right after the other. Just ask the Summerdale Fire Department which operates mainly as a volunteer department with a growing (AOR) area of response including frequently responding outside of the city as part of multiple mutual-aid compacts that allow neighboring fire and police agencies to respond outside of their city limits to other parts of the county to assist in fires, medical emergencies, traffic collisions and disasters. Almost on a daily basis, Summerdale firefighters find themselves going in many different directions and responding to multiple calls during a 24-hour period. The fire department is physically positioned in a unique fast growing pocket of growth between themselves, Foley, the Foley Beach Corridor and other nearby growing communities.
Nationally, mid-size cities can range from 100,000 to 500,000 in population and may add in the MSA, (Metropolitan Statistical Area) which includes a specific region, to boast the area’s population and are built using whole counties as building blocks linked by social and economic ties. Baldwin County with an estimated population of 270,000 residents and approximately 6-7 million visitors each year, is rapidly becoming a metropolitan area. For years, statistically we were called a micro-metro area but now, we’ve become the Daphne-Fairhope-Foley Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) in Alabama, recognized as one of the fastest-growing metro and micro-style areas in the United States. It functions as a single-county metro area adjacent to the Mobile MSA.
For first responders, that’s a heavy load to carry, literally. For decades, volunteer fire departments, county sheriff departments and small-town police agencies have carried the weight and responsibility of providing all emergency services from fire and medical, to law enforcement and disaster response. Obviously that is changing, but is it keeping up with the county’s growth, influx of businesses and the year round, never ending, visitors who have found the Alabama Gulf Coast to be much more than a place for spring breakers and snow birds.
Adding to the stream of steady visitors from January through December is the new Gulf Shores International Airport, the return of the Amtrak train service, constant glowing reports showing up in newspapers, magazines, and across social media, and everyplace else that you look We’re getting noticed more than ever!
These communities have gone from agricultural and livestock farms to booming communities with people, traffic, crime and a growing number of emergencies, and things can and have become hectic for our frontline responders who not only respond to our county and state roads, but who also often find themselves out on our interstates facing large critical situations including mass casualty incidents.
Most of the time, our dedicated volunteers handle these emergencies like pros, but sometimes, understaffed, overwhelmed or without the necessary resources to handle the emergency, other mutual-aid departments must be called in to ban together to adequately get the emergency under control. The same is true for our paid, career departments who regularly work within mutual-aid compacts.
In recent weeks, we have seen numerous emergencies require that a Mass Casualty Incident be declared.
In the early morning hours of July 24th, 2026, a serious motor vehicle collision at Greeno Road and US 98 with numerous injuries had the Fairhope Volunteer Fire Department calling for additional manpower and resources from neighboring fire departments and announcing a possible MCI situation. Among those who responded was the Barnwell Volunteer Fire Department, the county sheriff’s office, numerous ambulances, a medical helicopter and the Fairhope Police Department. It was reported that seven people were injured in the crash.
Even when the incident doesn’t require that an MCI be established, the on-scene command may still call for additional manpower, equipment and resources from one or more departments which could deplete that other agency’s staffing or resources necessary to respond to an emergency within their own community.
What happens then?
In Part Three, we’ll conclude with the plans and processes in these situations and look at the needs of our communities for the rapid increase in emergency calls that they face.
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BIRMINGHAM, Ala. It may have looked like a scene from one of those police situational shows on TV or the scene from a movie being filmed in downtown Birmingham, but for the first responders who were called to the area around the UAB campus on Monday, it was the real deal.
Police and Birmingham Fire-Rescue were notified of a suspicious package near the campus and that it was giving off a smell. Some people called 911 and emergency responders were immediately dispatched to the area.
Birmingham Fire and Rescue personnel responded to an 811 call to investigate the package and that led to two locations being evacuated.
Birmingham and UAB police also responded to the area, shutting down 20th Street between University Boulevard and 9th Avenue as a precaution while emergency responders determined what the package contained.
BFRS officials later confirmed that the package contained a lithium battery that was “reacting,” which caused alarm and prompted the response.
Authorities gave the all clear soon afterwards and reported that there were no known injuries as a result of this incident.
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PENSACOLA, Fla. A Semmes Alabama man is heading to prison for a long time after being convicted of attempting to meet a child in Pensacola for sex and offering to pay them money.
Christopher W. Glover, 47, an employee of the Baldwin County school system, admitted that there was substantial evidence supporting the charges and waived his right to trial by pleading guilty in April.
Glover has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for one count of attempted sex trafficking of a minor and one count of traveling in interstate commerce to engage in illicit sexual conduct, according to the release.
Court documents and pretrial hearings revealed that Glover communicated with whom he believed to be a 14-year-old girl and offered to pay her hundreds of dollars in return for sexual acts in October 2025, but it was law enforcement who was on the other end. At some point, he arranged to meet the “girl” and drove to Pensacola where law enforcement waited.
When Glover reached Pensacola to engage in the sexual acts with the child, he was taken into custody, by police.
Authorities said he possessed more than $200 in cash to pay for the illicit sexual acts.
Glover’s prison term will be followed by 10 years of supervised release, and he will be required to register as a sex offender, according to the release.
The case was jointly investigated by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, Florida Highway Patrol, and the United States Marshals Service.
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ROSINTON, Ala. A structure fire in a rural part of Baldwin County Sunday brought a large response from multiple fire departments.
At about 1 a.m., Sunday, July 26, 2026, the Baldwin County 911 Communications Center began receiving calls about a house that was on fire and burning bad. Dispatchers immediately sent several fire departments to the scene and when firefighters arrived, they found the structure to be heavily involved in fire and called for additional manpower and resources.
According to the Lillian Fire Department, who were one of the first to arrive on scene, a total of twenty-two fire departments from across the county and beyond were eventually called in for mutual aid due to the lack of fire hydrants in that part of the county.
The county tanker task force was also called to the scene.
Firefighters working together brought the blaze under control at around 5 a.m.
The home was heavily damaged, including a partial roof collapse and looked to be a total loss.
At this time, there are no reports of any injuries to the residents or firefighters.
It is unknown at this time how the fire started.
The Alabama State Fire Marshal’s Office usually is the lead investigator in fires such as this.
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BAY MINETTE, Ala. Police arrested seven people after gunfire rang out in the middle of the day, Thursday, July 23rd, 2026, just a few blocks away from the Bay Minette Police Department.
Bay Minette Police Chief James Rosier, Jr. stated that one of the seven people shot multiple rounds into the ground in front of a house at the corner of South and Bay Streets,
When police arrived, the group of teens began to scatter but were rounded up and now all of them are facing various criminal charges.
Just two blocks from the Bay Minette Police Department, at a house at the corner of South and Bay Streets, gunfire erupted Thursday.
“These young adults were in the front yard and at least one of those young adults took an assault style rifle and fired it five times into the ground in front of his home,” said Bay Minette Police Chief James Rosier, Jr.
Those guns are now in police custody, along with marijuana and ammunition found in a back-to-school backpack donated by the police department. “These adults are making clear and conscious choices, and if they don’t want to do the right thing, then we are more than happy to provide an alternative, and to us that alternative is the Baldwin County Corrections Center,” said Rosier.
During the investigation police found clear evidence of drugs and weapons being carried by the group and police said that they were all taken into custody including:
Thomas Travell Golden, 19, hindering prosecution second degree, unlawful possession of marijuana second degree and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.
Xavier Edwin Nelson, 19, unlawful possession of marijuana second degree and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.
Shadonnoy Cooke, 20, unlawful possession of marijuana second degree and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.
Brandon Michael Juvenal, 18, unlawful possession of marijuana second degree and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.
Brenda Ann Floyd, 19, unlawful possession of marijuana second degree and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.
Michale Lashay Grace, 20, attempting to elude police and active warrants with another agency.
Maurice Antonio Hobbs, 19, unlawful possession of marijuana second degree, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia and active warrants with the Bay Minette PD.
It was the middle of the day when those shots rang out. A neighbor was cutting his grass, kids were getting into a car next door, in the residential area. Rosier said those bullets could have gone anywhere. “The range of that weapon would have carried any round through any house and any wall.”
Those guns are now being forensically analyzed to determine if they are linked to any other crimes. “The people of Bay Minette are fed up with this type of behavior, and it is incumbent upon us to express those emotions to these offenders who don’t want it any other way apparently,” said Rosier.
The Chief said that other charges may also be brought against some or all of seven arrested.
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DAPHNE, Ala. A Daphne man has been charged with rape and was booked into the Baldwin County Detention Center and later released on bond.
Ray Charles Bullard of Daphne had been charged with Strong Arm Rape at the time of his original arrest.
Although very little public information is known about this case, Baldwin County sheriff deputies said that Bullock failed to appear in court and an arrest warrant was issued for him.
On Saturday, deputies caught up with him at the Audubon Park Apartments on County Road 64, but he refused to come out. Deputies negotiated with Bullard and his mother behind their locked door for more than twenty minutes according to an eyewitness. He eventually surrendered and sheriff deputies took him back into custody and transported him back to the county jail where is currently being held.
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By: J. Thomas Wade/Dale Hines Blue RAM Media/Gulf Coast News
July 27, 2026
CHICKASAW, Ala. Police in Chickasaw have been working through an investigation that has now been classified as a Homicide-Suicide.
On Thursday, July 23rd, 2026, police, firefighters and EMS responded at around 11:14 p.m. after receiving calls that someone had been shot there.
The Mobile County EMS providers pronounced two people deceased at the scene.
Chickasaw Police Chief Eugene “Chip” Parker said in a statement that they have concluded that it was a murder-suicide and that their investigation indicates that the man shot the woman before turning the weapon on himself. The Mobile County Sheriff’s Office also responded and conducted a joint investigation.
Police have identified 37-year-old Jessica Tucker who was shot and killed while sitting in a car in the 1200 block of Devander Drive.
Police believe 37-year-old Frederick Barnes shot Tucker before turning the gun on himself. His body was found outside of the vehicle.
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FORT MORGAN, Ala. As Tropical Storm Bertha took a swipe at the Alabama coast, as it headed toward Louisiana, it left behind a bit of rain, a few downed tree limbs and a few cars stuck in water or sand. There were a few reports of a power outage here or there but nothing significant.
In Fort Morgan, several vehicles got stuck in rising water and were aided by the Fort Morgan Volunteer Fire Department but one family from Texas, found their car washed away in the surf after parking a bit too close to the beach. It had to be winched out by a wrecker.
While over on Dauphin Island, waves crashed ashore and there were reports of vehicles stuck in sand as it was blown from the beach onto nearby streets. Minor flooding and power outages were also reported.
Across the Alabama Gulf Coast, double red flags flown in the wind, signifying that the water was completely off limits to swimmers, and surfers, but a few birds were spotted standing at the edge of the water in Gulf Shores.
The Gulf Shores pier was also closed in advance of the storm and was scheduled to reopen Thursday.
As we made our way along the edge of Florida and across the Alabama coastline, there was no major damage spotted and for the most part, residents and visitors went about their business as if it were just a spring shower.
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GULF SHORES, Ala. An armed robbery in Gulf Shores on Wednesday, July 22nd, 2026, had police responding to an address in the 5500 block of Lemon Tree Lane. at around 10:56 AM.
Police were told that two groups of people with firearms were involved in an incident at a home overnight, that resulted in a violent robbery where guns were stolen.
Shortly after officers talked with the victims, officers began searching for the suspects and they soon located the suspect’s vehicle on Waterway West.
At that time, officers took numerous people into custody.
Police said they collected evidence leading to eight people being arrested and charged with multiple felonies. Among the charges are first-degree robbery, second-degree possession, second-degree receiving stolen property, certain persons forbidden to possess a firearm, menacing, and unlawful possession of a controlled substance.
Five firearms were reportedly recovered from one of the suspect’s vehicles. Investigators say one of the guns was stolen from Montgomery and another gun belonged to the victims.
The following eight suspects were arrested and taken to the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office:
Jayden Chase Benoit, 18-year-old from Elton, Louisiana
Marlo Javeion Harris, 18-year-old from Montgomery, Alabama
Jeremiah Le Aie Nickson, 18-year-old from Montgomery, Alabama
Kavion Raynard Tyrus, 18-year-old from Autaugaville, Alabama
Cameron Marcus Wright, 18-year-old from Prattville, Alabama
Markel Kashon Lansden, 18-year-old from La Fayette, Georgia
Two male juveniles were also taken into custody.
Authorities also reported that the individuals arrested were involved with the Alabama Rays, a National Junior College Prep Football team in Gulf Shores.
Gulf Shores police said that this is ongoing investigation.
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BALDWIN COUNTY, Ala. Have you ever heard of an MCI? Most folks haven’t, unless they’ve worked as a first responder somewhere along the way.
Recently in Baldwin County, numerous emergency agencies found themselves in the middle of two very different types of an “Mass Casualty Incident” that were in very different locations but had very similar scenarios.
A Mass Casualty Incident generally is any type of event where there are many people who have been wounded and need various levels of care.
The National Incident Management System (NIMS) sets guidelines as to how the incident should be managed, and who oversees complete control of the incident.
A mass casualty incident could be a large residential or commercial fire where many people have various types and degrees of burns or injuries, or it could be a train wreck or a multiple vehicle traffic collision on the interstate or any other type of incident where many people need immediate medical attention.
The current protocols of an MCI do not dictate the number of injured people that a scene must have to be considered a mass casualty incident but rather, it depends entirely on whether the number and severity of patients overwhelm the available local emergency and medical resources.
If a car wreck on an interstate in a rural part of state has six people injured but the community only has a small volunteer fire department and one volunteer ambulance, the local fire chief may classify it as an MCI and activate the area’s mutual-aid response system. On the other hand, in a larger area, the same scenario would most likely be well within the capabilities of the local fire and EMS system and no outside assistance from other agencies would be needed.
Recently, Baldwin County experienced three Mass Casualty Incidents, one on the interstate, one on a major roadway and one on the water.
About a month ago, a multiple vehicle traffic collision on Interstate 10 in the Loxley area injured multiple people who had various degrees of injuries including several that were critical. Multiple ambulances, fire departments, medical helicopters and law enforcement were needed to properly care for the patients, secure the vehicles from hazards such as fuel leaks and to ensure that they were stable during an extrication process. This was updated during the emergency to a Mass Casualty Incident due to the number of ambulances needed from Medstar, the use of multiple helicopters needed to transport critical patients, the number of emergency responders from fire, EMS and law enforcement, and the mere size and scope of the incident. This collision took several hours before the interstate completely be completely reopened.
A few weeks later, on Saturday, July 11th, 2026, another multiple vehicle traffic collision with numerous injuries of various degrees occurred in Spanish Fort around the area of 5200 Battleship Parkway. According to police, approximately six to eight vehicles were involved in the wreck and numerous patients needing immediate medical treatment. Once again, a Mass Casualty Incident with a structured command was established. Multiple Spanish Fort police, ALEA troopers, ambulances and firefighters were needed to assist with patient care, extrication, potential fire hazards, traffic and potential crowd control and to keep the scene secure. Additionally, several medical helicopters were dispatched to and landed at the crash scene and airlifted several critical patients to area trauma centers.
In this case, the EMS/Fire systems weren’t overwhelmed by the size or complexity of the scene, but an MCI helps to keep the scene structured under the standardized national system.
Tragically, just this past weekend, another Mass Casualty Incident occurred, this time on the water in Orange Beach.
At approximately 8:10 p.m., Saturday, July 18, 2026, two vessels were involved in a collision that left one person dead and nine others injured. The wreck occurred in the Intracoastal Waterway near the Wharf at night, and the darkness and the water element in and of itself can pose many dangers, hazards and an increase for additional manpower and equipment.
This “mass casualty incident (MCI) brought many different mutual-aid emergency agencies to the area including the Orange Beach Police Department, Orange Beach Fire Rescue, MedStar Ambulance, Gulf Shores Fire Rescue, Medical Helicopters , ALEA Marine Police, and the Coast Guard.
The incident, which happened in an area which had high vessel traffic at the time of the crash posed numerous issues and the extra manpower, equipment and expertise was a necessity in this type of situation.
The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) is leading the investigation into the crash, and no other information is being released while they continue their investigation.
In PART TWO, we’ll look into how area emergency resources can be quickly drained or depleted, and how the increase of both visitors and our population are already some agencies to be overwhelmed with their increased call volumes.
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MOBILE, AL. A tragic death at a Mobile Walmart has many people asking how it happened and why.
The Mobile police, and Mobile Fire-Rescue were dispatched to the store on Schillinger Road at 1:23 p.m. Tuesday.
The original call stated that a person had been hit by a vehicle in the parking lot.
When police officers arrived, they said that they discovered a woman with life-threatening injuries lying on the ground.
The woman, who has now been identified as Wanda Nunnery, 78, was rushed to a local hospital where she succumbed to her injuries, according to a police spokesperson.
Mobile police have questioned the driver of the vehicle and have taken a statement.
At this time, there have been no charges brought but the case was turned over to the Mobile County District Attorney’s Office, and it could be presented to a grand jury.
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BALDWIN COUNTY, Ala. Local law enforcement has reported that they have made numerous drug arrests and even several arrests related to prostitution during recent days.
Obeth Quiahua Acahua, 30, was arrested by the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office on charges of Promoting Prostitution 2nd (2 Counts).
Maureen N. Adams, 36, was arrested by the Gulf Shores Police Department on Thursday, July 16, 2026, and charged with Possession of Methamphetamine, Tampering with Physical Evidence and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
Bay Minette Police arrested Tyler E Barnes, 33, and charged with Possession of Marijuna on Friday, July 17, 2026.
Arynn A Boyington, 37, was charged with a felony by the Fairhope Police Department on Friday, July 17, 2026. Boyington is facing charges of Possession of Methamphetamine and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
James Ray Case, 45, was stopped and arrested on a felony charge of being a Fugitive from Justice on Friday, July 17, 2026.
James William Cooper, 44, was arrested by the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office and charged with a felony for being a Fugitive from Justice.
The Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office also arrested Justin Jay Curl, 52, and he was charged with Auto Theft (Felony).
Karla Maria Diaz, 34, has been charged with Commercial Sex by the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office on Thursday, July 16th, 2026.
Martha V Gonzales, 28, has been arrested and charged with Commercial Sex on Friday, July `17, 2026, by the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office.
The Fairhope Police Department reported that their officers arrested Adam S. Gilmore, 34, on Friday, July 17, 2026, and charged him with Possession of Methamphetamine (Felony) Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Possession of Marijuana 2nd Degree.
On Friday, July 17, 2026, Foley Police reported arresting Tyran S Griffin, 35, on an outstanding arrest warrant for being a Fugitive from Justice. (Felony)
Christopher S Hallman, 46, faces a felony charge of Possession of Methamphetamine after being arrested on Friday, July 17, 2026, by the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office.
The Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office also reported that deputies arrested Salvador R Huaroco, 24, and charged him with Possession of Dangerous Drugs (Felony).
On Friday, July 17, 2026, in Spanish Fort, police arrested Ashley A Jenkins, 37, on a felony charge of Possession of Methamphetamine.
Chad A. Johnson, 47, was stopped and arrested Wednesday, July 15, 2027, by the Foley Police Department on charges of Possession of Dangerous Drugs and Possession of drug Paraphernalia.
During this time, the Baldwin County Detention center was also holding fifteen others charged with Illegal Immigration.
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MOBILE, Ala. The Mobile County Sheriff’s Office is proud to announce the creation of its new Marine Unit, further expanding the agency’s ability to protect the citizens and visitors who enjoy Mobile County’s rivers, bays, lakes, and waterways.
As part of this initiative, the Sheriff’s Office has taken delivery of a new patrol vessel specifically equipped for law enforcement operations, search and rescue missions, emergency response, and public safety patrols throughout Mobile County’s waterways.
The Marine Unit will provide deputies with the specialized equipment and capabilities needed to respond more quickly to emergencies on the water, assist stranded boaters, enforce boating laws, investigate crimes occurring on waterways, and support search and rescue operations.
“Our waterways are a vital part of life in Mobile County,” said Sheriff Paul Burch. “Whether families are spending time on the river, commercial vessels are navigating our channels, or first responders are searching for someone in distress, it’s critical that we have the resources to respond quickly and effectively. This Marine Unit strengthens our commitment to protecting every part of Mobile County, both on land and on the water.”
The unit will also work alongside local, state, and federal agencies during large-scale public events, natural disasters, severe weather incidents, and other emergency situations where coordinated marine operations are essential.
The addition of the Marine Unit reflects the Sheriff’s Office’s continued investment in public safety while expanding specialized services to meet the growing needs of Mobile County.
The Mobile County Sheriff’s Office looks forward to placing the vessel into service this weekend during the Dauphin Island Fishing Rodeo.
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The Daphne Police Department has reported their latest DUI and drug arrests in the city. All persons listed are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Name: Rapheal A. Lott Date/Time: 07/04/2026 – 21:04 Offense: Public Intoxication Location: 20000 block of State Hwy 181 (Malbis ER), Daphne, AL ______________________________________________
Name: Corey Everette Smith Date/Time: 07/05/2026 – 02:10 Offense: Driving Under the Influence (Alcohol) Location: Main St. @ Village Point Park, Daphne, AL ________________________________________
Name: Bryant Lionel Jeremy Gibson Date/Time: 07/05/2026 – 02:42 Offense: Driving Under the Influence (Alcohol) Location: US Hwy XX @ US Hwy XX Frontage Rd., Daphne, AL _____________________________________________
Name: Joshua Michael Reid Date/Time: 07/08/2026 – 01:45 Offense: Driving Under the Influence – Alcohol Location: US Hwy XX @ US Hwy XX, Daphne, AL ________________________________
Name: William Cedric Lett Date/Time: 07/09/2026 – 21:39 Offense: Certain persons forbidden to possess pistol Location: 1000 block of US Hwy 98, Daphne, AL ___________________________________
Name: Kevin Joel Turner Date/Time: 07/09/2026 – 21:47 Offense: Possession of Marijuana 2nd degree Location: Frederick Blvd. @ Whataburger, Daphne, AL ______________________________________
Name: Cory Marquise Williams Date/Time: 07/09/2026 – 22:59 Offense: Driving Under the Influence (Alcohol) Location: 20000 block of State Hwy 181 (Whataburger), Daphne, AL _______________________________________________
Name: Patrick Tate Basile Date/Time: 07/09/2026 – 23:53 Offense: Possession of Marijuana Second Degree Location: US Hwy XX @ US Hwy XX, Daphne, AL ___________________________________________
Name: Samuel L Thompson Date/Time: 07/10/2026 – 12:38 Offense: Possession of a Controlled Substance Location: 8000 block of Pecan Ct., Daphne, AL _____________________________________________
Name: Francisco Cortez Date/Time: 07/10/2026 – 23:57 Offense: Public Intoxication Location: 20000 block of US Hwy 98, Daphne, AL ________________________________________
Name: Ivan Cesar Duran Martinez Date/Time: 07/10/2026 – 23:57 Offense: Public Intoxication Location: 20000 block of US Hwy 98, Daphne, AL _________________________________________
Name: James Nathaniel Craig Date/Time: 07/11/2026 – 01:12 Offense: Driving Under the Influence (Alcohol) Location: US Hwy XX @ US Hwy XX, Daphne, AL _____________________________________
Name: Dean Randall Kelly Date/Time: 07/11/2026 – 02:05 Offense: Driving Under the Influence – Alcohol Location: US Hwy XX @ Sea Cliff Dr., Daphne, AL _________________________________________
Name: Cody Allen McMurrey Date/Time: 07/11/2026 – 07:48 Offense: Driving Under the Influence (Alcohol) Location: 20000 block of US Hwy 98 (Lake Forest Shell), Daphne, AL ___________________________________________
Name: Peter Ellis Washington Date/Time: 07/12/2026 – 00:38 Offense: Public Intoxication Location: State Hwy XXX @ Timbercreek, Daphne, AL __________________________________________
Name: Jordan Anissa Cordell Date/Time: 07/12/2026 – 00:49 Offense: Driving Under the Influence (Combined Substance) Location: 2000 block of US Hwy 98, Daphne, AL ____________________________________________
Name: John Lloyd Garrick Date/Time: 07/12/2026 – 02:25 Offense: Driving Under the Influence (Alcohol) Location: 20000 block of US Hwy 98 (Waffle House), Daphne, AL ______________________________________
Name: Jeffrey Allen Bryars Date/Time: 07/11/2026 – 22:13 Offense: Driving Under the Influence (Alcohol) Location: US Hwy XX @ Jubilee Square, Daphne, AL ________________________________________
Name: Peter Ellis Washington Date/Time: 07/12/2026 – 00:38 Offense: Public Intoxication Location: State Hwy XXX @ Timbercreek Blvd., Daphne, AL ___________________________________________
Name: Jordan Anissa Cordell Date/Time: 07/12/2026 – 00:49 Offense: Driving Under the Influence (Combined Substance) Location: 2000 block of US Hwy 98 (Chevron), Daphne, AL ___________________________________________
Name: John Lloyd Garrick Date/Time: 07/12/2026 – 02:25 Offense: Driving Under the Influence (Alcohol) Location: 20000 block of US Hwy 98 (Waffle House), Daphne, AL ______________________________________________
Name: Carlos Loeonard Davis Date/Time: 07/12/2026 – 20:13 Offense: Possession of Marijuana Second Degree Location: US Hwy XX @ Clark’s Exxon, Daphne, AL _____________________________________
Name: Frank D. Underhill Date/Time: 07/15/2026 – 15:12 Offense: Public Intoxication Location: 20000 block of N. Main St. (Circle K), Daphne, AL _______________________________________
Name: Frank Daniel Underhill Date/Time: 07/15/2026 – 15:12 Offense: Public Intoxication Location: 20000 block of N. Main St. (Circle K), Daphne ________________________________________________
Name: Chylie Larie Brossett Date/Time: 07/17/2026 – 23:10 Offense: Possession of Marijuana 2nd Degree Location: N. Main @ Hilton Garden Inn, Daphne, AL ___________________________________________________Name: Forest Jay Childers Date/Time: 07/18/2026 – 00:52 Offense: Public Intoxication Location: 20000 block of N. Main St. (Colony Storage), Daphne, AL __________________________________________
Name: Michael Victor Martin Date/Time: 07/18/2026 – 21:51 Offense: Driving Under the Influence (Alcohol) Location: Frederick Blvd. & US Hwy XX, Daphne, AL __________________________________________
Name: Antonious Demetic Nelson Date/Time: 07/19/2026 – 00:31 Offense: Possession of Marijuana Second Degree Location: 30000 block of Mill Ln. (Waffle House), Daphne, AL ______________________________________________
Name: Andrew Davis Hopper Date/Time: 07/19/2026 – 01:14 Offense: Public Intoxication Location: 20000 block of US Hwy 98 (Top of the Bay), Daphne, AL ______________________________________________
Name: L Dianne Luther Crabtree Date/Time: 07/19/2026 – 18:53 Offense: Driving Under the Influence – Controlled Substance Location: Randall Ave. & Main St., Daphne, AL ___________________________________________________
Name: Danny Allan Hunt Date/Time: 07/20/2026 – 21:20 Offense: Possession of Marijuana Second Degree Location: US Hwy XX @ Bayline Dr., Daphne, AL
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OXFORD, Ala. A nineteen-year-old shot himself in the head at an Alabama shopping center and many, including law enforcement, are still full of questions that have few answers.
Local first responders were called to the Oxford Exchange shopping center Tuesday evening after someone called 911 reporting that a person had been shot. The nineteen-year-old, identified as Levi Cotton, 19, of Munford was identified as the person shot and reportedly was in critical condition.
Oxford Police Chief Daniel Phipps said the shooting appears to have been accidentally self-inflicted however, Cotton died from the self-inflicted gunshot to his head and that has raised a lot of questions in the community including asking questions about whether this was a suicide, a desperate cry for help.
Chief Phipps said that the investigators who had responded to the scene Tuesday initially collected evidence at that time to determine what had happened.
“Based on the investigation conducted thus far, the evidence indicates that this incident appears to have been an accidental self-inflicted shooting,” Phipps said.
Regarding the victim, Phipps added, “Mr. Cotton was an organ donor, and in the midst of this tragic loss, his selfless decision will provide the gift of life to others. We extend our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time.”
While police continue investigating, they continue to believe that is was an accidental shooting.
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ORANGE BEACH Ala. A two-vessel boat crash over the weekend has resulted in the death of one woman and multiple others being injured according to ALEA.
The crash which occurred in the Intracoastal Waterway near the Wharf in Orange Beach resulted in the injuries of nine people who have been treated for various injuries from the accident.
The collision occurred at approximately 8:10 p.m. on Saturday, July 18, 2026, involving a 27-foot 2024 Albury Brothers vessel and a 23-foot 2013 Key West vessel.
This “mass casualty incident (MCI) brought many different emergency agencies to the area the Orange Beach Police Department, Orange Beach Fire Rescue, MedStar Ambulance, and Gulf Shores Fire Rescue, Medical Helicopters and the Coast Guard.
Authorities reported that Kristin Delaney, 46, of Mobile who was a passenger on the Albury Brothers vessel and was transported to the Baldwin Health hospital, was pronounced dead upon arrival.
The extent of the injuries to others has not been released but we have been told that several others were seriously injured.
The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) is leading the investigation into the crash, and no other information is being released while they continue their investigation.
This was the second death involving a boat in Baldwin County over the weekend.
Copyright 2026 Blue RAM Media. All rights reserved.
MOBILE COUNTY, AL. Following a month-long investigation, the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office has arrested two individuals and is actively searching for a third suspect in connection with the alleged financial exploitation of an elderly Mobile County resident.
The investigation began in November 2025 after the victim’s daughter reported concerns that her elderly father had been the victim of fraud, extortion, forgery, and theft.
Detectives assigned to the case, working in conjunction with the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Unit, conducted an extensive investigation that included numerous court authorized subpoenas, search warrants for electronic devices, financial record reviews, and countless interviews with victims and witnesses.
Investigators determined that between 2019 and 2025, three individuals allegedly worked together to fraudulently obtain money, real property, and other assets belonging to the victim through financial exploitation, theft, extortion, and forgery.
The investigation determined that approximately $659,314 in assets, including the estimated value of two properties, was unlawfully obtained from the victim.
While investigators believe the total financial loss approached $1 million, only losses supported by available evidence and that were within applicable legal timeframes were included in the criminal charges.
The Mobile County District Attorney’s Office approved the following felony charges:
Melissa Lynn Hobden
Two counts of Financial Exploitation of the Elderly, First Degree
Three counts of Theft of Property, First Degree
One count of Identity Theft
Michael Lewis Crouch
One count of Theft of Property, First Degree
One count of Attempted Theft of Property, First Degree
Two counts of Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument
Nora Powe Hobden
One count of Theft of Property, First Degree
One count of Financial Exploitation of the Elderly, First Degree
At approximately 6:00 a.m., on July 15, 2026, the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office Special
Operations Unit executed a residential search warrant at 5515 Darring Street, Satsuma, Alabama.
During the operation, deputies took Melissa Lynn Hobden and Michael Lewis Crouch into custody without incident.
During the execution of the search warrant, investigators recovered multiple cellular phones, a laptop computer, a notebook believed to contain financial records, mail, handwritten documents, legal paperwork, and property deeds containing the victim’s personally identifying information.
Investigators also located documents identifying both Melissa Hobden and Michael Crouch inside the residence.
Nora Powe Hobden was arrested at a separate location, 2625 Middle Road on July 15, 2026.
Sheriff Paul Burch said the investigation demonstrates the Sheriff’s Office’s commitment to protecting vulnerable citizens.
“Financial crimes against our elderly citizens are among the most heartbreaking crimes we investigate because they involve the abuse of trust. Our investigators spent months following the evidence, reviewing financial records, and building a case that would hold those responsible accountable.
If you exploit the elderly for your own financial gain, you should expect the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office to pursue you relentlessly.”
The investigation remains active, and additional charges are possible as detectives continue reviewing evidence obtained during the search warrants.
Anyone with information related to this investigation is encouraged to contact the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office at (251) 574-8633 or submit anonymous tips through
www.mobileso.com/crimetips/
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