Experts disagree on origans of Mystery Ship

Ike uncovers historic ship on Baldwin County beach
Friday, September 19, 2008
By GUY BUSBY, Staff Reporter

FORT MORGAN — A mystery ship uncovered over the decades following storms appears to be a Civil War schooner run aground in 1862 while trying to sneak past the U.S. Navy to enter Mobile Bay, according to one local expert.

The ship reappeared earlier this month after waves created by Hurricane Ike eroded the beach about six miles from Fort Morgan. After examining photographs of the wreck, Shea McLean, marine archaeologist with the Museum of Mobile, said the ship is most likely the Monticello, a two-masted schooner run aground and partially burned on June 26, 1862.

"Based on what we know of ships lost in that area and what I've seen, the Monticello is by far the most likely candidate," McLean said Wednesday. "You can never be 100 percent certain unless you find the bell with 'Monticello' on it, but this definitely fits."

Mobile Press-Register

More Pictures, Video and Information about the Mystery Ship

City wants annexation lawsuit dismissed

Lawyers want case dropped or November settlement enforced
Thursday, April 24, 2008
By RYAN DEZEMBER
Staff Reporter

BAY MINETTE A lawyer for Gulf Shores has asked that the Fort Morgan Civic Association's suit against the city be dismissed after the group has twice sent representatives to court-ordered mediation sessions without giving them the authority to approve a settlement.

The city and Fort Morgan residents have been in court since 2003 when the Civic Association and three individuals sued to overturn the city's annexation of the 19.3-mile state-owned right of way that bisects the peninsula. The plaintiffs have argued that the move violated their right to have a say in the development of the property around their own, and that city zoning laws will allow for the overdevelopment of the slender spit of sand.

In December, the Gulf Shores City Council unanimously approved an agreement drawn up by three city officials and a trio of Fort Morgan residents during the last round of mediation talks that would have created a special zoning district for the ecologically fragile peninsula. But the 400-member Civic Association voted down the deal in March.

Click here to read the full article from the Mobile Press-Register.

Second Military Drone plane washes ashore in Baldwin County

Video from NBC-15 News...

Spring bird-banding sessions begin Saturday

by Kimberly Shumack

Tranquil nature scenes are brought to life by the sudden and distinct call of an unknown bird in the distance. Discover the birds behind those calls at the upcoming spring bird-banding session slated for Saturday that will continue through April 11 at the Fort Morgan State Historic Site. The Alabama Gulf Coast hosts thousands of migratory birds each year since the area serves as their first stop in the continental United States.

While the banding will began daily just before dawn and end around noon, the best hours are early morning. Guests are reminded to bring a lawn chair, binoculars and insect repellent but to leave the pets at home. There is no charge for this annual event but guests must pay the fort admission to gain access to the banding station. Fort admission is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors, $3 for children 6-18 and free to those under 5. A family pass is $12 and will admit two adults and two children.

More than 1,800 birds representing 76 different species were recorded in spring 2007 by the Hummer/Bird Study Group, which organizes this annual event. Founded by Bob Sargent and Martha Sargent, this group holds a large number of all the required hummingbird banding permits in the world. They gather valuable information about the health, behavior and habitat of these migratory birds in addition to giving visitors the chance to touch, hold and release the birds.

While the spring and fall bird-banding events represent the peak migratory periods in April and October, respectively, an abundance of native birds can be found year round on the Alabama Coastal Birding Trail.

For more information on this extensive trail, visit www.alabamacoastalbirdingtrail.com. For more information on the Spring Bird Banding Session, visit www.hummingbirdsplus.org or call 1-800-745-SAND.

Fort Morgan Civic Association votes down settlement

By RYAN DEZEMBER

Staff Reporter

The Fort Morgan Civic Association has refused a proposed settlement with Gulf Shores that would have ended a long-running legal dispute over construction controls along the Fort Morgan peninsula.

The settlement called for special zoning for the peninsula and obliged the city to hire a consultant of both sides' choosing to draft a development plan for the slender spit of sand.

Paul Barefield, the Civic Association president, said that the 400-member group voted Monday night, after considering the proposal for about three months. For every member in favor, 10 were opposed, he said.

Click here to read the full article from the Mobile Press-Register.

Gulf Shores offers more than just spring break party destination

By MARGARET LITTMAN
For The Tennessean

The Gulf Shores area is actually a composite of three distinct areas — Fort Morgan, Gulf Shores and Orange Beach — nestled on the white sands on the Gulf of Mexico 450 miles south of Nashville. These quiet sugar-sand beaches are dotted with multi-million-dollar resort communities featuring breathtaking sunset views, chef-driven restaurants that take advantage of access to fresh-from-the-water fish and golf courses designed by Arnold Palmer.

If you're looking for a more high-end beach vacation, now is the time to plan a Gulf Shores trip for a romantic, grown-up getaway.

Click here to read the full article from the Tennessean.com .