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Gulf Coast Media, 1350 N McKenzie Street, Foley, AL (2025)

06/22/2025

When the lights dim and the curtain parts, something electric fills the air — an invisible thread pulling every pair of eyes toward the stage.

For a moment, the ordinary world disappears. In its place: levitating tables, vanishing cards and voices that shift like quicksilver. This is the spell cast inside the Brandon Styles Theater at OWA, where illusion isn't just entertainment — it's tradition.

But now, a new kind of magic has taken the spotlight. Her name is Baylee Jade Styles. While she may be the youngest in the act, she's stepping into the family business with the confidence of someone who's grown up with applause echoing in her ears — adding her own sparkle to the stage.

With every twist of silk and sleight of hand, the Styles family invites you into their world — a world where talent is inherited, wonder is expected and even the shyest performer can shine brightest when the stage lights hit just right.

Recently, Brandon Styles, his wife, Diamond, and their daughter, Baylee Jade, sat down with Gulf Coast Media to share how their family-run production has evolved from a solo variety act into a full-fledged, multigenerational experience.

Read more at the link in our bio.

✍: Whisper Edwards / Gulf Coast Media

06/21/2025

🏖🐢Reminder for those taking advantage of our beautiful beaches, you have to take all your stuff home with you each day or the city (both Gulf Shores and Orange Beach) will remove it for you! They do this to keep our beaches clean and safe for other beachgoers and especially the wildlife we share it with, such as endangered sea turtles who are in season to come ashore and lay their nests.
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A family visiting Gulf Shores at the end of May left "$1,000 worth of stuff" on the beach overnight and were surprised to find it gone the next morning.

To look for "advice on recovering our property" they posted to a "Gulf Shores and Orange Beach" group on Facebook asking why their stuff was taken away, even though it was "secured" and it wasn't "near where the tide comes in."

Eco Clean Marine Founder Courtney Dombroski said, "every single piece of trash matters" and it's important to remove all trash from the beach to protect wildlife and "maintain clean, beautiful beaches."

🐟🐬🦀 "Even small items can have big consequences for marine life," she said. "Birds, fish and other animals often mistake trash for food or get tangled in it."

For beachgoers looking to leave the beach in a better state than they found it, Dombroski encouraged mindfulness toward cleaning up your own trash and keeping an eye on "light items" like napkins and wrappers that can easily be caught up in the wind.

"Bringing a small bag for your own trash and keeping an eye on your stuff can help keep our beaches beautiful," she said. "It doesn't take much to make a positive impact."

🕳 Also, avoid digging holes in the sand more than 12 inches deep. This works to protect the nesting sea turtles as well as first responders to beach emergencies.

Read more on our website.

✍: Ruth Mayo / Gulf Coast Media

06/21/2025

Baldwin County Sheriff Anthony Lowery will seek election to serve his first full term in the position, going up against challenger District 2 Baldwin County Commissioner Matt McKenzie In 2026.

Lowery was appointed by Gov. Kay Ivey in 2024 to the seat after Huey "Hoss" Mack retired after nearly 20 years. Lowery came into the position with nearly 30 years of law enforcement experience, including nearly two decades with the Baldwin agency that started as civil affairs commander in 2007 before moving up to become chief deputy from 2018 until his appointment to sheriff.

Prior to joining the sheriff's office, Lowery spent a decade with the Baldwin County District Attorney's Office rising from investigator to chief investigator.

Lowery said his focus has been on expanding the force and facilities across the county. During his leadership tenure, the sheriff's office has added approximately 44 new law enforcement officers and 58 corrections officers, expanding the force by 40%. In January, the sheriff's office is set to complete construction on a new jail facility, which will enhance both capacity and security.

McKenzie spent 24 of his 25-year law enforcement career with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency. He was promoted to post commander of the Driver License Office in Mobile, where he oversaw offices in Mobile, Baldwin, Escambia, Washington, Clarke, Choctaw, Monroe, Butler and Conecuh counties.

"As a state trooper, I was a part of the first Alabama 287 G Immigration Program class. This was a United States immigration deportation program where the State of Alabama and the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) worked together to remove criminal illegal aliens from Alabama. I believe that my years of work with ICE will help meet the immigration demands of President Trump and the wishes of the next Governor of Alabama," he said.

He said if elected he intends to bring in a "recently retired, high-ranking Baldwin County Sheriff's deputy" to join the leadership team to ensure the sheriff's office does not "miss a beat in daily law enforcement services."

This will be a county race held in 2026 that is not affected by the state legislature’s vote to postpone last year’s municipal elections to this August, but we are posting about this now because both public figures have announced their intention to run.

06/20/2025

Foley's effort to honor its role in Navy aviation training took a step forward with the arrival of a second historic aircraft set for display in a planned museum.

Crews from the Foley Public Works Department, alongside city employees and volunteers, recently transported a Beechcraft T-34B Mentor from the National Naval Aviation Museum (NNAM) in Pensacola to Foley. The aircraft, disassembled for transport, was moved in two trucks — one carrying the fuselage, the other hauling wings and tail sections on a trailer. It was placed in a city storage facility where it will remain until a permanent display site is ready.

The T-34B Mentor served as the primary training aircraft for the U.S. Navy from 1957 through the mid-1970s. During its active years, the aircraft was a familiar sight in the skies above Foley and South Baldwin County as Navy pilots trained in the area.

The T-34B will join a 1942 N3N biplane previously acquired by the city. Both aircraft will be featured in the upcoming museum, which aims to tell the story of Foley's longstanding connection to Navy aviation.

Foley already hosts a display at the Foley Railroad Museum highlighting Barin Field's role in World War II and beyond. The expanded exhibition will include the newly acquired aircraft and other artifacts currently being collected.

Barin Field, located east of the Foley Beach Express, opened in 1942 as a Navy aviation training base and played a key role during World War II and the Korean Conflict. At the height of operations, more than 2,000 personnel were stationed there and over 5,000 aviation cadets trained within the base's first two years. The Navy still uses the site as an outlying landing field.

In 2024, Foley was named an American World War II Heritage City by the National Park Service, a designation that recognizes communities that made significant contributions during the war and have continued efforts to honor those who served.

📸: City of Foley

06/20/2025

From twilight concerts under the stars to playful crab races by the bay, summer is alive and well along the Gulf Coast.

Whether you're browsing handcrafted art in Mobile, testing your Taylor Swift knowledge in Fairhope or cooling down with cider in Pensacola, this weekend offers a little something for everyone.

The communities of Baldwin County and beyond are buzzing with local flavor, creativity and good old-fashioned fun. It's the perfect time to gather with friends, explore new places and make the most of these sun-drenched days.

Here's a look at what's happening this weekend across Baldwin County and the Gulf Coast.

Have an event to share? Email [email protected]. Even better, add it to our online calendar at www.GulfCoastMedia.com/calendar, where it's featured in newsletters, on our website and more.

06/19/2025

Juneteenth, a blend of "June" and "Nineteenth," marks the day in 1865 when Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, and announced the end of slavery — more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation. According to the National Park Service website, Juneteenth is one of the oldest known commemorations tied to the abolition of slavery.

According to History.com, some slaveholders withheld news of emancipation until after the year's harvest. It wasn't until Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger arrived with federal troops on June 19, 1865, that the message was publicly read and upheld. Roughly 250,000 people remained enslaved there at the time.

Freedmen in Texas began marking June 19 with annual celebrations first known as Jubilee Day. As Black families migrated from Texas to other parts of the country, Juneteenth traditions traveled with them, often centered around prayer services, music, food and community gatherings.

Gov. Kay Ivey signed House Bill 165 into law May 8, making Juneteenth a permanent state holiday. Sponsored by Sen. Bobby Singleton, D-Greensboro, and Rep. Rick Rehm, R-Dothan, the bill passed the House 85-4 and cleared the Senate 13-5, with several Republican lawmakers abstaining and all the no-votes coming from Republicans, including Rep. Shane Stringer, whose District 102 covers parts of Bay Minette and Stockton.. Unlike earlier proposals, the measure designates Juneteenth as a standalone observance, unlinked to Confederate memorial dates like Jefferson Davis's birthday.

Ivey has issued annual proclamations recognizing Juneteenth since former President Joe Biden signed legislation making it a federal holiday in 2021, but the state legislature had never recognized it with a formal law.

Looking to celebrate the holiday? Bay Minette held a Freedom Celebration on Saturday, but the City of Mobile will host its annual event today from 2 to 5 p.m. at Mardi Gras Park on South Royal Street, and Downtown Pensacola is holding a special edition of Gallery Night titled "Art of Freedom" on Friday, June 20, from 5 to 9 p.m.

Read more about the events at our website, link in bio.

06/19/2025

Baldwin County knows quality craftsmanship when it sees it — and this year, one of the businesses standing tall is B & B Roof & Gutter.

Voted Best Roofing Company in the 2025 Best of Baldwin awards, B&B Roof & Gutter’s recognition comes as no surprise to homeowners who trust their roofs and gutters to the experts. Locally owned and fully licensed, B&B Roof & Gutter has built its reputation on protecting homes with top-quality materials, professional service and a focus on customer satisfaction.

From quick repairs to complete replacements, B&B Roof & Gutter knows your roof is your home’s first line of defense — and your gutters are just as vital. Their team brings experience, integrity and a commitment to excellence, ensuring Baldwin County families stay safe, dry and protected year-round.

While the 2026 Best of Baldwin voting opens later this year, we’re shining a light on the 2025 winners who keep our community strong. Congratulations to B&B Roof & Gutter for earning the community’s trust — and for proving that local values, hard work and dedication to customers never go out of style.

Stay tuned — because Baldwin’s best deserve every spotlight. 🏆 Congratulations again to all the winners!

06/18/2025

Blair Castro, a law instructor, policy advisor and co-host of a Gulf Coast podcast, has entered the race for Gulf Shores City Council, bringing what she says is an “unapologetic, people-first campaign focused on halting overdevelopment and putting locals first.”

Raised in the Perdido Key area of West Pensacola, Castro now calls Gulf Shores home with her daughter, Juliet, and partner, Thomas. She has worked behind the scenes as a policy advisor and communications strategist for over 25 local elected officials and governments across the Gulf Coast area.

Castro owns Shook PR, a digital strategy firm with an office in Gulf Shores, serving community leaders, nonprofits and small businesses. She is also the co-founder of WFUZ-TV, an online podcast and independent media outlet.

Some of Castro’s goals for Gulf Shores include halting development, working on traffic and parking issues, building the Coastal Gateway Park project, speeding up permitting and business licensing processes, investing in public safety, cutting “freefall” spending, amending sewage and water issues, protecting walkability and green space, expanding infrastructure before new growth and enforcing term limits in city government, according to her announcement.

Castro is running for Place Five, which is currently held by Councilman Steve Jones who has held the position since 1996. He is a Realtor and is vice president of events and community affairs at the Coastal Alabama Business Chamber.

In Gulf Shores, candidates — and voters — are not bound to districts. Candidates challenging an incumbent councilmember choose who they want to challenge and qualify to run for that place. Qualifying is open through June 24. Gulf Coast Media will post a list of candidates running for municipal seats across Baldwin County when they become available.

As of June 16, the most recent candidate list posted by the city, both Castro and Jones have qualified. To be placed on the ballot, candidates must be verified by the Ethics Commission. The list currently shows the mayor and all incumbent candidates except Philip Harris, mayor pro tempore and representative for Place Three, will face challengers to their seats.

✍: Ruth Mayo / Gulf Coast Media

Read more on our website.

06/18/2025

🎣 From David Rainer's Outdoor Alabama column:

"Since the seasons opened for private anglers and state-licensed commercial party boats on May 23 and federally permitted charter boats on June 1, anyone who follows Alabama anglers on social media has likely been inundated with photos of Alabama’s iconic reef fish, the American red snapper.

"In fact, the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ (ADCNR) Marine Resources Division (MRD) indicated the private recreational harvest had hit 135,193 pounds as of June 1, according to Snapper Check data. The 2025 quota is 664,552 pounds.

"'The red snapper season in Alabama has seen a lot of changes over the past two decades,' Conservation Commissioner Chris Blankenship said. 'I am pretty happy with where we are now on season length and the healthy population of fish off our coast. When you look at the anemic two-day season they have in the South Atlantic, I am thankful on how we all have worked together to be in the place we are now in the Gulf. Just a reminder, the season in the Gulf was three days in 2017 before we started state management during the first Trump administration.'

"Not only is the early season harvest an indication of the health of the red snapper population off the Alabama coast, but research conducted by the University of South Alabama’s (USA) Stokes School of Marine and Environmental Sciences has revealed a thriving population of red snapper and other reef fish in Alabama’s vast artificial reef zone. This year’s survey report indicated 7.6 million snapper off the Alabama coast in water up to 350 feet. Expressed as a weight, that is 19.6 million pounds. Most of the snapper are in shallow and mid depths of 60 to 180 feet. The study counted age 2-plus fish that are 10 inches or longer."

Read more at link in comments.

06/16/2025

🚨Fairhope man accused of murder in killing of mom, dad injured🚨

According to information sent from the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to a report of a domestic situation on Dominion Drive in the unincorporated area of Fairhope around 11 p.m. Saturday, June 14. They found two people “suffering from serious physical injuries.”

Nanette Smith, 67, died in the home. Noel Smith was flown to a hospital in Pensacola and “is continuing to heal from injuries,” Capt. Daniel Steelman with the sheriff’s office wrote June 16.

Steelman said the Smiths and their son, 38-year-old Ryan Thomas Smith, lived in the home together. He said Smith fled the scene before deputies arrived on Saturday and located him driving on Interstate-65 northbound in Baldwin County. When they attempted to stop the vehicle, a pursuit ended on the interstate in Escambia County, Alabama, after deputies used the Grappler System.

The victims’ identities were initially withheld to allow for proper notification of their family. Nanette’s manner of death and the weapons reportedly used will not be released until the medical examiner completes a final report, Steelman wrote. Investigators believe all weapons used have been recovered.

If anyone has information concerning this case, contact Cpl. Investigator Chris Wright at (251) 972-8589.

06/16/2025

An hour-and-a-half drive away from Baldwin County sits a historical treasure that is slowly being eaten away by the ravages of time.

In the small town of Mount Vernon is the site of Searcy Hospital, which for years operated as a psychiatric hospital by the State of Alabama. Composed of more than 30 buildings, its history goes back decades, if not centuries. Despite being named to the National Register of Historic Places in 1986, the average person driving through would likely never know it's even there, as the buildings have been slowly crumbling and being taken over by kudzu and the passage of time. A 24/7 security presence patrols the site regularly, and the public has been rarely allowed to explore the site of the former hospital.

One of those rare occasions came on June 8 when the Mount Vernon Historic Preservation Society opened the site to the public for tours of the hospital grounds. Guests could take a ride on a UTV to drive through what was once Searcy Hospital and could also tour the adjacent McCafferty House, formerly the home of Searcy Hospital Superintendent E. L. McCafferty in the early to mid-20th century.

The Mount Vernon Historic Preservation Society is a group of volunteers working to preserve the area, with many of its members having personal ties to the property. For example, the 12-foot-tall wall was built brick by brick by a group of men by a group of men whose descendants, 200 years later, are still maintaining the wall. Other members have also lived near or on the property and have grown up seeing the hospital change over time.

Stephanie Pope, president of the Mount Vernon Historic Preservation Society, said it is their goal to make the place a centerpiece of the local community, starting with the neighboring McCafferty House. Every dollar made through their nonprofit goes directly to repairing the house and property, including replacing windows, repairing plumbing and restoring the exterior.

✍️📸: Colin James / Gulf Coast Media

Read more about the history and the preservation efforts at the link in the comments.

06/16/2025

🗳Qualifying opens for city elections across Baldwin County🗳

After a year postponement, residents seeking to run for elected positions in their city can qualify through June 24.

Qualifying opened on June 10 and closes at 5 p.m. on June 24, with hours being 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Candidates qualify through the city clerk's office in their respective city.

Municipal elections are held every four years in August, but lawmakers voted in 2021 to postpone city elections, extending the terms of those elected in 2020 by one year. This year's election will be held on Aug. 26. If necessary, the runoff date is Sept. 23.

Officials said the move was made to be able to hold municipal elections on an off year from the presidential election, citing poll worker fatigue, voter confusion over voting venues and equipment shortages as reasons for the shift.

The qualification fee for candidates seeking election is $50.

During the qualification period, candidates must file a Statement of Candidacy form with the city clerk to appear on the ballot. Candidates also will file a Statement of Economic Interests form with the Alabama Ethics Commission.

It is recommended that candidates, when filing their Statement of Candidacy with the city clerk, also file their Statement of Economic Interest form with the ethics commission. If a candidate has already filed, they need to bring proof of his or her filing.

The Statement of Economic Interests form can be completed online at the Alabama Ethics Commission website. Candidates who already have a current Statement of Economics Interests form on file with the ethics commission do not have to file a duplicate statement at qualification. Forms will also be available at the city clerk's office during the qualification period.

Mayor and city council candidates must be at least 18 years old, a U.S. citizen, registered voter of the municipality at the time of qualification and a resident of the city or district they seek to serve for 90 consecutive days prior to the election. For more information on qualifications required to serve public office, go to https://www.sos.alabama.gov/alabama-votes/candidates/qualifications-public-office.

Gulf Coast Media will publish a list of the candidates for each city after qualifying closes.

📸: Micah Green / GCM archive

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