ORANGE BEACH, Ala. Starting tomorrow, daytime closures of the Intracoastal Waterway will begin through Friday as part of the bridge work that has been happening in the area.
According to a release from the U.S. Coast Guard Sector Mobile Waterways Management Division, the middle span of the Intracoastal Waterway Bridge, between Orange Beach and Gulf Shores, will be put into place during the second week of August, which will require daytime closures of the canal.
Scott Bridge Company will be erecting girders across the main channel of the Intracoastal Waterway from 6:30 a.m. until 6:30 p.m. each day from Monday, August 11th through Friday, August 15th.
During these times and dates, vessels and boats will not be allowed to pass through this part of the canal. Waterborne equipment will be removed outside of the main channel at the end of each working day.
During this time, vessels should transit the area at no wake speed and coordinate passing arrangements in advance.
Project vessels and equipment will include the T/V MISS PATSY, a 24 ft work boat, two material barges, and a 70 ft x 195 ft barge mounted with a ringer crane.
VHF-FM Channels: 16. Mariners may contact Scott Bridge Company at 334-737-8992 for updates.
Mariners traversing this area should keep a sharp eye out and keep workers and those on the water safe.
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TENSAW, Ala. A tragic accident on the Alabama River Saturday at around noon time, has left a woman with serious injuries.
Several people were enjoying their day on the river when a woman was injured and could not move her legs or feet.
She was brought to a nearby sandbar, where 911 was called.
The Tensaw, Crossroads, and Whitehouse Fork Fire Departments, the Alabama Marine Police, EMS, and a medical helicopter all responded to the area as part of the rescue response.
The woman was flown to an area trauma center.
No other injuries were reported, and it is unknown how the woman was injured.
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DAPHNE AL. Officers with the Daphne Police Department reported making five DUI arrests this week.
Officers patrolling the area and conducting regular traffic stops often find impaired drivers.
Police in the area regularly keep a sharp eye out for possible drunk drivers and other traffic infractions on their busy roads throughout the city, and often, they do find drivers who shouldn’t be behind the wheel.
During the week of August 1st-August 8th, 2025, five drivers were found to be behind the wheel while under the influence of alcohol.
Daphne police reported stopping:
Jennifer Todd Weaver was stopped for a traffic infraction on August 1st and found to be driving impaired.
William Matthew Langlinais on August 1st at 12:04 a.m. while driving on US Highway 98.
Ronald David Allen was stopped by police on August 3rd at 12:23 a.m. on State Highway 181.
Police also conducted a traffic stop on Kelly Lee Fletcher in the 20000 block of US Hwy 98.
While on patrol, officers stopped Loren Harlan Coppage on US Hwy 98 near Santa Rosa Avenue and found the driver to be driving impaired.
All five drivers were arrested for Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol and booked into the Daphne Jail.
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SPANISH FORT, Ala. An accident early Friday morning involving a Mobile Police vehicle and a scooter injured one person and is under investigation.
The Spanish Fort Police and Fire Departments responded to Highway 31 near Bryars Lane at around 6 a.m. An ambulance was also dispatched to the crash.
The Mobile police officer was not injured, but the person on the scooter was treated on the scene and transported to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
No other information is available at this time.
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ORANGE BEACH, Ala. What started as a traffic stop by the Orange Beach Police on Thursday morning, August 7th, 2025, at around 1 a.m., led to a short police pursuit, a wreck, and the death of the driver.
Police in Orange Beach said that the driver was speeding, weaving, and driving recklessly when they tried to stop him, and that’s when the driver fled with police close behind. Police suspected that the driver was impaired and a danger to himself and the public.
Police said that speeds got up to 100 mph on West Beach Boulevard, and that’s when they called off the chase, but minutes later, the driver crashed into a barrier at a private neighborhood in Gulf Shores
In a statement from the Orange Beach Police, they said their officers ended the pursuit in the 2100 block of West Beach Boulevard, which is about two and a half miles before the road abruptly ends at the entrance to Laguna Key. That’s where the driver crashed head-on into a concrete retaining wall in front of a guard shack.
Gulf Shores police and fire departments responded to the crash, but police said that they did not participate in the chase.
ALEA troopers are now investigating the accident and have stated that at this time, they cannot release any information, including the name of the driver, until the investigation is completed.
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STOCKTON Ala. A major traffic collision involving multiple injuries closed Interstate 65 North near mile marker 42, just before 5 p.m., Thursday evening.
At least one vehicle lost control and went off the road, entrapping several passengers who were injured, including a small child.
The Stockton, Perdido, and Bay Minette Fire Departments, numerous ambulances, and two medical helicopters responded to the crash, where at least five people were reportedly injured.
At least two persons are listed as critical.
Traffic on Interstate 65 was backed up for a significant distance, and the roadway remained shut for more than two hours.
Troopers with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s (ALEA) Highway Patrol Division are continuing their investigation.
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WASHINGTON COUNTY, Ala. An Alabama State Trooper on patrol Wednesday afternoon, August 6th, 2025, at around 3:20 p.m., conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for traffic infractions.
During the trooper’s interaction with the driver, later identified as Daniel Lee Fisher, the trooper became aware that Lee had several outstanding warrants for his arrest. Among the outstanding warrants was a felony charge for a stolen vehicle.
Lee was taken into custody and transported to the Washington County jail where a hold was placed on him for the Murfreesboro, Tennessee police.
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BALDWIN COUNTY, Ala. Law enforcement say that they have arrested a Baldwin County man who they say is involved in a global drug trafficking ring.
Local, state, and federal law enforcement have been conducting a global drug investigation involving many moving parts, including Alabama resident Leeladhar Tandel who was taken into police custody on several charges.
An undercover investigation that began in New York led to the arrest of Leeladhar Tandel, an Alabama resident.
Federal court documents said that special agents uncovered some websites believed to be part of a larger drug trafficking organization.
Although authorities haven’t stated how they became aware of the drug network, we do know that postal inspectors played a role in the investigation.
Part of the federal investigation included pictures of the drugs found in the mail.
Tandel and two others, in other states, have allegedly been sending those drugs to customers worldwide through the United States Postal Service.
Investigators said the global organization sends bulk shipments of drugs via mail to the U.S., where multiple people break them down into smaller packages and send them to smaller re-shippers.
Court documents revealed investigators found one of the packages had come from the Post Office in Summerdale.
Investigators said after a deeper dive, they discovered about 40 packages had been mailed out by Tandel from this office.
As law enforcement continued to put the pieces together, agents finally intercepted one of those packages, which led them to understand how the drug operation was setup. Court records said this parcel included 36 grams of suspected Clonazepam pills, a controlled substance.
Federal agents met Tandel at a gas station in Foley, and during questioning, he told them he was mailing the packages for a friend back in India.
Tandel is accused of mailing out almost 7,000 pills in about 40 packages from the Summerdale Post Office.
Law enforcement stated that the investigation is ongoing.
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McINTOSH, Ala. A multi-agency operation led by the McIntosh police has resulted in the arrest of four people in an online predator operation. Police say more arrests are also possible.
According to the McIntosh Police Department, seven law enforcement agencies worked together on the operation that targeted online predators.
At this time, the following people have been arrested:
Jerry Bernard King, 31, of Mobile
Michael Paul Cantrell, 42, of Citronelle
Charleston White, 31, of Citronelle
Noah Brody Weaver, 23, of Saraland
Those four people were arrested for attempting to exploit minors online and attempting to meet with them in person, according to the McIntosh police.
All were arrested and charged with transmitting obscene material to a child and solicitation of a child by computer.
“This coordinated effort was part of an ongoing initiative focused on identifying and apprehending local predators who use digital platforms to target vulnerable youth,” the police said.
The operation, which includes representatives from the McIntosh Police Department, Washington County District Attorney’s Office, Washington County Sheriff’s Office, Jackson Police Department, Creola Police Department, and Mobile Police Department, is continuing, and more arrests are expected.
A McIntosh Police spokesperson said offenders should not think that rural agencies are less capable of fighting crime than those in big cities.
“This operation sends a clear and direct message: If you believe that being in a rural area allows you to commit crimes undetected, think again,” said a spokesperson for the McIntosh Police Department. “We have the tools, resources, and interagency support to investigate and prosecute criminal activity with the same level of sophistication as any major department. If you are committing crimes in our communities, we will find you, and we will seek to prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law.”
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MOBILE COUNTY, AL. In June 2025, the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office ICAC Unit began investigating Case Lee McCoy after receiving a Cyber Tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
On August 5, 2025, the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office ICAC Unit, along with MCSO Special Operations, executed a search warrant at McCoy’s residence in Semmes.
Detectives gathered enough evidence to charge McCoy with 5 counts of Possession of Child Pornography and 5 counts of Dissemination of Child Pornography.
McCoy was arrested at his home and transported to Metro Jail.
McCoy faces charges of Possession of Child Pornography and Dissemination of Child Pornography.
The ICAC is a national network of 61 coordinated task forces, representing over 5,400 federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies.
These agencies are dedicated to investigating, prosecuting, and developing effective responses to internet crimes against children. Educating the public through the development and delivery of public awareness and prevention programs is also one of the main initiatives of the ICAC Task Force Program.
McCoy is being held until his court appearance.
Copyright 2025 Blue RAM Media. All rights reserved.
BALDWIN COUNTY, AL. The U.S. News recently ranked the best hospitals in Alabama, and it’s not surprising who came out on top.
Here’s who came out on top again:
The University of Alabama at Birmingham Hospital has been ranked the No. 1 hospital in Alabama in the 2025-2026 U.S. News & World Report Best Hospital Rankings.
The hospital ranked nationally in five adult specialties and had seven additional specialties ranked as high performing.
Here’s what made UAB the No.1 hospital in the state for the 12th year in a row.
When it comes to specialty care, this hospital doesn’t just lead the state, it makes its mark nationally. Here’s where five specialties ranked nationally:
No. 11: Rheumatology
No. 14: Ear, nose and throat
No. 28: Obstetrics and Gynecology
No. 42: Neurology and neurosurgery
No. 49: Geriatrics
UAB also earned high performing marks in 19 procedures and conditions, including:
Cardiology, heart and vascular surgery
Cancer care and surgery
Stroke care
Lung surgery
Diabetes management
The scores reflect strong survival rates, quality of care, and how well the hospital helps patients recover.
Additionally, other hospitals in Birmingham, also ranked high including UAB St. Vincent’s which landed at No. 5, and Grandview Medical Center came in at No. 6.
Other hospitals across Alabama also earned spots in the state rankings. Huntsville Hospital ranked No. 2 and was rated high performing in 12 procedures and conditions. Mobile Infirmary Medical Center followed at No. 3, with strong marks in 13 areas.
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GULF SHORES, Ala. A single vehicle wreck at around 11:30 on Monday morning has left one person dead in Gulf Shores.
The Gulf Shores Police and Fire Departments, along with EMS, responded to a vehicle that lost control and went into a retention pond in front of the free-standing Emergency Room.
According to police, the driver jumped a curb, lost control, and landed upside down in the pond.
Police are continuing their investigation, and at this time, the name of the deceased has not been released.
Copyright 2025 Blue RAM Media. All rights reserved.
BALDWIN COUNTY, Ala. Believe it or not, it’s that time of year again. Back to school has come once again. And with schools opening in less than two weeks, on August 11th, in Baldwin County, and a bit later in some areas, it’s time to think about safety.
Safety driving in the school zones, safety walking to schools, safety on school buses, and safety at the school. It’s all about safety.
Drivers are urged to slow down in school zones across the county as students head back to class.
As the school year begins, police in the area are reminding all drivers to slow down, watch for signs, and stay alert in school zones to help keep kids safe.
With increased traffic enforcement in school zones, officials hope drivers will slow down and help ensure student safety as the new academic year begins.
Approximately 25,000 children are injured annually in school zone accidents in the United States. Additionally, more than 100 children are killed each year in these accidents while walking to or from school. And there’s also the crossing guards to watch for.
Over the last decade, the accident rate for crossing guards has increased by 65% and though there is no specific database that tracks crossing guard injuries or deaths, estimates from several resources say more than a dozen are killed each year while directing traffic.
“We’re going to have more enforcement for school crossing zones. We’re going to have our traffic division out there doing enforcement to try to slow people down. That’s one of the ways we try to keep people safe,” Drake said.
Drivers should also be respectful of school crossing guards who help students navigate busy intersections. Although they are not sworn law enforcement officers, most are employees of the city, town or county and have been given the authority to direct traffic, causing them to stop while students or adults cross the street.
Law enforcement annually asks that drivers be patient, leave a little bit earlier, be respectful of other drivers, students, and crossing guards, and stay off of your phones.
The consequences for speeding in school zones are significant. Under Alabama state law, drivers caught exceeding the speed limit by 15 mph or more in a school zone face a minimum $200 fine.
In Alabama, fines for speeding in a school zone are doubled, and the speed limit is 15 mph during school hours and when children are actively using crosswalks
The average speeding ticket fine in Alabama is $130, but it might be more in some areas. Doubling that fine would mean drivers face fines of more than $260 for speeding in school zones.
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BALDWIN COUNTY Ala. Just minutes after 8 a.m. Tuesday morning, a vehicle wrecked into the bridge on the Bayway near the 33-mile marker, and a person jumped into the water for unknown reasons.
The Spanish Fort Fire Department, police, and EMS responded to the wreck, where they found a man, approximately 30 years old, in waist-deep water.
The Alabama State Troopers Maine Patrol dispatched a boat to the scene, as did the Daphne Fire Department.
A firefighter was lowered down over the bridge and was able to secure the man, who was then transferred to medics for medical care.
Part of Interstate 10 was immediately shut down during the rescue operation.
The man was transported to an area hospital with no major injuries reported.
ALEA is investigating the wreck.
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FAIRHOPE, Ala. The city of Fairhope is growing, and that means more employees are being recruited to the city, including police officers. But as recruitment of law enforcement nationwide is beginning to heat up after a five-year low, many departments are offering more money and better benefits.
One of those benefits for police officers in many agencies across the country is a take home vehicle, giving the officer the ability to commute to work at the city’s expensive, thus the officer’s expense on gas, vehicle maintenance, and insurance.
Now, the Fairhope police chief wants the city to extend how far an officer can drive the city vehicle to their home.
Police Chief Stephanie Hollinghead brought the idea to the city council’s recent meeting.
“The existing policy is a 15-mile radius,” she told the council. “That was adopted back in April of 2014. We are asking you all to consider changing it to a 30-mile radius to include Mobile County. We ask this for recruitment purposes. This is no secret. I think I’ve communicated with all of you all that we’re having issues with recruitment. It’s not just Fairhope that’s having this issue. It’s countywide, and it’s statewide. We’re just having some issue getting quality applicants to apply.” It’s not an original idea, says Chief Hollinghead.
Hollinghead told the council such a perk could pull more experienced officers from Mobile, saving money spent on training and recruitment.
Other departments in the area already have this policy in place.
As the Mobile Police Department is about to finally reach full strength — the City of Fairhope is working to make itself more attractive to officers in Mobile County.
The Fairhope council says it will seriously consider the proposal.
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MOBILE, AL. On Friday, August 1, 2025, at approximately 11:18 p.m., officers observed a semitruck traveling at a high rate of speed in the area of Dauphin Island Parkway and Old Military Road.
Officers attempted to initiate a traffic stop, but the driver refused to stop.
Other officers joined in the pursuit in an attempt to get the truck to stop.
The driver, later identified as James True, 53, continued not to comply with the officer’s blue lights and continued to flee across Mobile Bay on I-10 just before he was stopped at the Malbis/Spanish Fort exit.
True, 53, was arrested and transported to Metro Jail and has been charged with felony eluding law enforcement.
It is unknown why the driver fled from police.
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BALDWIN COUNTY, AL. Some recent comments by firefighters and citizens in both Baldwin and Mobile Counties are shedding some light on the conditions of firehouses and the lack of proper sleeping quarters for firefighters who are working 24-hour shifts.
Recently, in Spanish Fort, the city went from an all-volunteer fire department to a mainly all-paid department (career department) with some volunteers. In doing that, the city also increased the ISO rating (a rating assigned by the Insurance Services Office (ISO) to communities based on their fire protection capabilities. This rating, which ranges from 1 to 10 (with 1 being the best), helps insurance companies assess the risk associated with insuring properties within a particular area and determines appropriate insurance premiums.) As part of that process, all areas of the city had to be protected by a full-time fire staff, so the city decided to add a couple of paid firefighters to Fire Station 4 located at 9871 D’Olive Road. But, it was done quickly and without adding a proper bunkhouse or kitchen, or other necessities for the firefighters.
Rumors that firefighters were sleeping on the floor soon came to the surface, although Mayor Michael McMillian denied knowing that was happening. Firefighters at Station 4 have since moved into a shed that has some chairs and mattresses, but that arrangement is a far cry from what firefighters who work twenty-hour shifts deserve. The mayor said that at some point, a “bunkhouse” will be added to the property.
A fire station becomes the firefighter’s home while on shift, and should be comfortable, clean, and have proper sleeping quarters, showers, restrooms, and a kitchen so that firefighters can properly bathe, sleep, and feed themselves.
While most fire departments in Baldwin County remain manned by volunteers, growing cities such as Spanish Fort, Daphne, Foley, Orange Beach, and Gulf Shores have had to move to the paid/career firefighter model to ensure continuity in their fire services.
Mobile County is also mainly staffed by volunteers. The Theodore-Dawes Fire District switched to a combination fire department a few years ago, adding some paid firefighters to their roster.
The City of Mobile is a career fire department with firefighters manning 18 fire stations, according to the City of Mobile. These stations are staffed 24/7, every day of the year. The MFRD also has 19 engine companies, 6 ladder trucks, and 11 advanced life support ambulances, among other specialized units.
As Mobile grows and the number of fire calls increase, the city has also had to consider the addition of more fire stations and remodeling older station houses.
A new three-bay fire station will be built on Azalea Road south of Highway 90 to replace the 68-year-old, two-bay station down the street, if the Mobile City Council approves a $4.5 million construction contract next week. Mobile Fire-Rescue Interim Chief Barry Glisson says they plan to move a ladder truck to the new station. “As well as a District Chief to that location, and our hazmat units. So, we’ll have more equipment there at that station, but it will be better served throughout the community, and give faster response times,” said Glisson. During the construction phase, firefighters will remain at their current facility. Construction should take about a year or so, Gibson said.
The 77-year-old Toulminville Station on Dr. Martin Luther King Avenue has had to be repaired numerous times since it was opened, but firefighters are still stationed there, however, the city is looking to purchase land nearby and build a new station. Other stations also need replacing, including 65-year-old Petrey Station on Dauphin Island Parkway, the 55-year-old Sirmon Station on Airport Boulevard, and the 63-year-old Tapia Station also on Airport Boulevard. While the exact timing of these replacements are unknown, a city spokesperson stated that they hope to begin the process between now and 2027.
Other fire stations are also listed for substantial repairs, including heating and air conditioner replacement, roof replacements, foam installation, and other updates.
Mobile’s oldest station, the 100-year-old Central Station, is also on the list for a major overhaul.
Throughout both counties, volunteer fire stations, which were primarily where fire apparatus were housed and firefighters would go for training and meetings, while firefighters responded to the station from their home or work during an emergency call, are now becoming places where the firefighters staff during high call volume days such as the weekends, during severe storms or when there are events in town. Baldwin County firefighters in some areas regularly respond to 3-10 emergency calls per day, and some departments answer more than 1000 emergency calls per year, so it’s easier to stay at the fire station waiting for their next calls. Some of the men and women sometimes catch a little shuteye on lounge chairs, couches, or wherever they can.
Summerdale, a volunteer fire department, has also recently had to transition to a combination department, adding a few paid firefighters to answer calls primarily during the daytime while most other firefighters are at work. They also recently opened a new firehouse located at 1340 County Road 32 East with all of the amenities that firefighters need, including a fully stocked kitchen, a bunkroom, showers, and training facilities.
Fire Departments, career or volunteer, need to adequately equip their firefighters with the best firefighting tools, turnout gear, fire trucks, and of course, proper sleeping quarters, kitchen, and training facilities so that they are better prepared and properly geared to protect our communities.
Copyright 2025 Blue RAM Media. All rights reserved.
BALDWIN COUNTY, Ala. It’s understandable to feel envious of people who live in states with low- or no-income taxes. After all, having to pay high federal and state taxes can take a large chunk out of your annual income.
But if you’re comparing places to live, look at the big picture and consider other local taxes, experts say. Because if state income taxes are low, you’re likely paying higher property or sales taxes to compensate for that.
“Washington State famously has no income tax, but they do have high sales tax, and Oregon is the opposite. So, you want to look at the whole picture,” says Heather Liston, a certified financial planner, enrolled agent, and principal at Clarity Financial in San Francisco.
States with the highest income tax rates
That said, there are some states where income taxes take a much bigger bite out of residents’ earnings. The states with the highest tax rates are as follows.
Keep in mind that some states use a graduated, or progressive, tax system where income is bunched into chunks, each of which is taxed at a different rate. This list focuses on each state’s highest tax rate, also called the marginal tax rate.
States with the highest tax rates
California 13.3%
Hawaii 11%
New York 10.9%
New Jersey, Washington D.C. 10.75%
Oregon 9.9%
Sources: State tax websites. All rates are for 2025 unless unavailable, in which case 2024 rates are shown. Note: California’s top rate is 12.3% but the state adds a 1% mental health service tax on income of $1 million+.
All of the states (and Washington D.C.) in the list above have graduated, aka progressive, tax systems. In a progressive tax system, your marginal tax rate is the top rate you pay, but your effective, or actual, tax rate is a blend of rates and is generally lower than your marginal rate.
Note that a state’s top tax rate often only affects the people who make the highest taxable incomes.
“People will think of California, for example, and their highest tax rate is much higher than the average around the country. But that’s for high- income earners and not for those making mid $40-$60k per year.
Here are two examples of how California’s current tax rates apply to specific situations:
A married couple that files jointly with $125,000 in taxable income pays a top rate of 8 percent.
A single person with $40,000 in taxable income pays a top rate of 4 percent.
And portions of income for all taxpayers in California are taxed at 1 percent and 2 percent. In fact, California has a total of nine different tax brackets. That’s the nature of a progressive tax system: Your income is separated into different chunks, each of which is taxed at a different rate.
And California’s 12.3 percent rate?
For a married couple filing jointly, that 12.3% rate applies solely to income above $1,442,628 in 2024.
For a single filer, 12.3 percent applies to income above $721,314 in 2024.
States with the lowest income tax rates
At the other end of the tax spectrum, nine states have no individual income tax: Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming. (Washington does tax capital gains income for some high earners.)
The states that levy an income tax but have the lowest rates in the country are as follows.
Sources: State tax websites. All rates are for 2025 unless unavailable, in which case 2024 rates are shown.
Five of these states have flat tax structures — Arizona, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, and Pennsylvania — while North Dakota and Ohio have a graduated, or progressive tax structure.
And even then, what you get for those taxes can be drastically different.
Local and state taxes pay for services that matter to us, such as garbage pick-up, fire and police services, road repairs, lights, and other amenities.
Comparing states solely by income tax rates doesn’t necessarily give a fair picture of what you’ll pay in overall taxes if you live there. There’s no free lunch, and states must pay for services somehow, Malone says.
Taxpayers also should consider their earning potential in a particular location to fully understand how a place’s taxes will affect their finances.
If you’re a retiree or thinking about where you might want to retire someday, also consider what kind of breaks are available. “A lot of states may have state tax, but then offer tax credits, deductions, and incentives for retirees, to motivate retirees to live in the state.
What matters are things like, where do your children and grandchildren live? Where can you get a house with no stairs, or whatever else you need for aging in place? What kind of cultural things do you enjoy? Taxes should be a small part of your consideration when thinking of a state to live in.
Copyright 2025 Blue RAM Media. All rights reserved.
BALDWIN COUNTY, Ala. Have you ever parked your car someplace that you weren’t supposed to? Maybe you were late for work or in a hurry to get to an appointment, and there was no parking available at your destination, so you left your vehicle in the parking lot of another business.
When you came back to get your vehicle, it was gone. It had already been towed from the property by a towing company that had been called by the property owner or manager.
It happens more than one might imagine. According to some statistics, millions of vehicles are towed for illegally parking on somebody else’s property. And that does not even include the millions of other vehicles towed by law enforcement off public highways and streets for violating parking rules or walking away and abandoning their vehicle.
When you park unauthorized on private property, the penalty is greater than if you were to receive a parking ticket for an expired meter.
Nationwide, in city after city, there are local and state laws that make parking your vehicle on private property after being told not to a criminal offense. Yes, you can be issued a criminal citation or physically taken to jail. In essence, when you parked your car, you trespassed when you entered the property, thereby trespassing after notice not to.
In Alabama, criminal trespass by motor vehicle is defined under the Alabama Code § 13A-7-4.1. It occurs when a person parks or stands an occupied or unoccupied motor vehicle in, or repeatedly drives a motor vehicle through or within, a parking area on privately owned property, which is provided by a merchant, a group of merchants, or a shopping center or other similar facility provided for customers. The parking area must be identified by at least one sign stating “Entry restricted to our tenants, their customers, employees, and guests. Remaining after proper use is prohibited.” Violators may be charged by law enforcement with trespassing. The penalties for criminal trespass by motor vehicles are as follows:
First offense: Not to exceed $50.00 in fines.
Second offense: Not to exceed $100.00 in fines.
Third or subsequent offenses: Not to exceed $150.00 in fines.
This law is designed to protect the rights of property owners and maintain public safety by establishing clear boundaries for the use of private property.
The owner may be cited and have their vehicle towed.
Nationwide in high-density areas, parking comes at a premium, and space has disappeared with properties being used for commercial and residential development.
A wise man once said, “look before you leap” and that applies to parking on someone else’s property also.
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