MAGNOLIA SPRINGS, Ala. The Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office is investigating an incident where someone shot two dogs, killing one.
Investigators combed the area along Brantley Lane for bullet casings or other evidence that would reveal clues as to who was responsible for the senseless act.
Melissa LaCoste was at work when she received a call from neighbors letting her know about gunshots in the area. When she arrived home later that afternoon, she found that one dog, “Prissy” was deceased and a second dog suffering from a gunshot wound to her leg. Unfortunately, a veterinarian had to amputate the leg.
The sheriff’s office said they have some information regarding the incident and a security camera captured images of a black pickup truck believed to be driven by the person who fired the shots, but LaCoste said that she doesn’t recognize the vehicle.
There’s no explanation at this time as to why the person would target these two dogs specifically.
In Alabama, it is generally illegal to shoot a dog solely for trespassing or roaming at large. However, under Alabama Code § 13A-11-246, a person may legally kill a dog or cat found off the owner’s premises if the animal is threatening or causing immediate physical injury to a person, pets, or livestock.
Roaming dogs at large has become a larger issue in the county in recent areas as rural areas are becoming more populated and homes are closing together.
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MOBILE, Ala. A war criminal wanted and on the run for almost twenty-five years has been captured in Mobile County.
Hamdja Alukic is accused of committing war crimes in Bosnia and was taken into police custody on Wednesday following an extradition request from the government of Bosnia and Herzegovina. He is accused of being involved in two deadly attacks on behalf of a Bosnian Muslim paramilitary group during the Bosnian War.
According to area residents, Alukic and his family lived a quiet life in Wilmer for several years.
“They had dogs, chickens and they would sell eggs to Walmart and stuff,” the neighbors said.
There was never any signs that he was any type of wanted fugitive, a neighbor said. They were always cool. I’ve been over there a few times and they seemed cool but didn’t speak good English the neighbor said.
Attorneys for Alukic are requesting that he be released with conditions to prepare to oppose the extradition. Alukic, now 70 years old, is not a danger to the community, according to attorneys, who said they can show his advanced age, medical condition and character and background will demonstrate he is not a flight risk.
However, that will be up to the federal judge and the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Alabama Sean P. Costello’s office.
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FOLEY, Ala. The City of Foley is going to purchase a 121-acre parcel of land at the intersection of the Foley Beach Express and the Baldwin Beach Express and build an industrial park complex on it.
A grant through the Site Evaluation Economic Development Strategy was approved by the Alabama Industrial Development Authority and announced on Thursday, March 19.
The area is growing and companies want to move here and we need to have the proper spaces and buildings for them, said Foley’s mayor.
“Alabama is making smart, targeted investments to ensure communities like Foley continue to compete and win,” Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey said. “Through our SEEDS program, we are strategically positioning this 121-acre site in Baldwin County for future, long-term growth and building on the strong economic momentum we’re seeing along our Gulf Coast. Alabama will not be slowing down when it comes to bringing good jobs and opportunities to every corner of our state.”
Foley Mayor Ralph Hellmich said the property that was chosen was the top pick out of 16 other sites in Alabama.
Since the start of 2026, $15.7 million has been distributed to support 21 industrial sites in the state, as part of the third round of the SEEDS program. The program “prepares sites for immediate industrial use through investments in land acquisition, site clearing and grading, environmental and geotechnical surveys, and infrastructure improvements,” the release said.
Areas in Baldwin County including Loxley and Bay Minette already have large industrial complexes under construction which will bring in more jobs and better pay for our workers.
Across 77 sites in Alabama, officials say SEEDS has driven an estimated $138 million in investments in three years.
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MOBILE COUNTY, Ala. A two-vehicle crash that occurred at approximately 12:36 p.m. Monday, March 16, 2026, has claimed the life of a Fort Walton Beach, Fla. woman.
Shelly R. Ogden, 54, was fatally injured when the 2022 Kia Sportage, she was a passenger in collided head-on with the 2016 Toyota Sienna driven by Donna K. Williams, 69, of Niceville, Fla. Ogden was pronounced deceased at the scene.
State troopers said that Donna K. Williams and a passenger in the Toyota, Robert W. Williams, 54, of Niceville, Fla., were both injured and transported to USA Health Providence Hospital in Mobile for treatment.
The driver of the Kia, Suzannah M. Stone, 55, of Plant City, Fla., was also injured and transported to University Hospital in Mobile for medical treatment.
The crash occurred on Alabama 158, near the 3-mile marker, approximately five miles west of Semmes, in Mobile County.
The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s (ALEA) Highway Patrol Division continues to investigate.
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MOBILE, AL. A stolen vehicle was spotted driving down a city street and officers attempted to stop it but it fled on Monday, March 16, 2026, at around 3:30 p.m.
According to a spokesperson with the Mobile Police Department, officers saw the vehicle that they said had been reported stolen earlier, and they activated their emergency equipment, lights and sirens and attempted to stop it near Panorama Boulevard and Via Alta Drive.
The driver of the car allegedly refused to stop and led them on a reckless pursuit.
Officers that the vehicle hit an empty, parked car and police were able to take the driver into custody.
Th vehicles received heavy damage, according to MPD.
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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.
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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/)
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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By Rick McCann
