NEW ORLEANS — A federal judge has set aside nearly seven hours for opening statements in a trial over the deadly rig explosion in the Gulf of Mexico that resulted in the nation’s worst offshore oil spill.

Click here to view more... Fuel Fix » Judge allocates time for start of oil spill trial.

ORANGE BEACH, Ala. – Doug Bailey of Hutchinson, Moore & Rauch Engineers in Daphne tried his best to maintain his businesslike demeanor at a recent Orange Beach Council meeting.

Click here to view more... Orange Beach plans wetland improvement along Alabama 161 – GulfCoastNewsToday.com: Local News.

ORANGE BEACH – The city is refinancing a bond issue from the 2006 sewer project at a new interest rate that city leaders say will in the long run save $500,000 in interest.

Also, this move will free up a $2 million reserve fund that was required with the previous bond. Potential investors in that issuance insisted on insurance for the bond, requiring the $2 million in reserve.

Click here to view more... Orange Beach refinance on bonds to save $500,000 – GulfCoastNewsToday.com: Local News.

The South Baldwin Newcomers club will have a “Treasures and More” luncheon, silent auction and raffle on March 7 at the Orange Beach Community Center.

Click here to view more... ‘Treasures and More’ luncheon March 7 – GulfCoastNewsToday.com: Local News.

GULF SHORES, Ala. – Little Lagoon pass on West Beach Boulevard has been a hub of activity in the past few months.

From the required dredging to BP sifting sand dredged to remove tarballs and hopes for park improvements, officials have hopes of many improvements within the next year.

Click here to view more... Little Lagoon area likely to be a hub of activity this fall – GulfCoastNewsToday.com: News.

PERDIDO BAY — Optimist Club of Perdido Bay (OCPB) left the Alabama-Louisiana-Mississippi District Convention in Orange Beach with several prodigious awards including First Place for “Grits and Bits”, the club’s monthly newsletter. In addition, they brought home a Community Service Award, Friends of Youth Award, and Honor Club.

Click here to view more... Optimist Club of Perdido Bay wins awards – GulfCoastNewsToday.com: Local News.

CROWDERGULF, THE company that has been in charge of keeping Alabama beaches free of oil, is intimately familiar with the areas its workers patrol.

Click here to view more... BP’s decision to change contractors is an insult to Alabama (editorial) | al.com.

GULF SHORES, Alabama — The Hangout Music Fest has unveiled its 2012 lineup, revealing that the Dave Matthews Band, Wilco, the Alabama Shakes and the Flaming Lips will be hitting the beach along with Jack White this year.

Click here to view more... Complete Hangout Music Festival 2012 lineup unveiled | al.com.

GULF SHORES, Ala. — The Wolf Den of Cub Scout Pack 49 (from Gulf Shores) was working on getting Wolf Badges and took a trip to Home Depot to learn all about tools.

Click here to view more... Gulf Shores Cub Scout Pack 49 learns about tools – GulfCoastNewsToday.com: Community.

ORANGE BEACH, Ala. – The shared parking lot between the Orange Beach Adult Activity Center and the library on Canal Road was filled to overflowing on Monday afternoon.

Residents were asked to show up and give their ideas on a revamping of Canal Road to make it more homey and pedestrian and bicycle friendly.

Click here to view more... Big crowd at meeting on Canal Road plan – GulfCoastNewsToday.com: News.

MAGNOLIA SPRINGS, Alabama — The National Park Service listed the Magnolia Springs Historic District in Baldwin County in the National Register of Historic Places on January 27. The 163-acre district encompasses the historic portion of the town and includes residences plus commercial, public, and religious buildings.

Click here to view more... Magnolia Springs Historic District in Baldwin County listed in the National Register – GulfCoastNewsToday.com: Community.

ORANGE BEACH, Ala. — The Orange Beach Festival of Art has added a Friday night gala to the weekend event traditionally held the second weekend of March for the past 40 years.

Click here to view more... Preservation Hall Jazz Band will play Orange Beach Art Festival gala on March 9 – GulfCoastNewsToday.com: Local News.

GULF SHORES, Ala. — The Mystic Krewe of K-9 Kritters Royalty will be chosen Saturday, Feb. 18 at the fifth annual fundraiser for the Baldwin County Humane Society (BARC!) at Magnolia by the Gulf Small Animal Clinic, 19930 Baldwin County 6 in Gulf Shores.

Click here to view more... Mystic Krewe K9 royalty to be selected in Gulf Shores Feb. 18 – GulfCoastNewsToday.com: Local News.

BALDWIN COUNTY, Alabama — The Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office is attempting to locate a man who burglarized a home in the Summerdale-Marlow area twice within a month’s period.

Click here to view more... Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office seeks help identifying burglary suspect (with video) | al.com.

Payton Terral of Gulf Shores High School led a Red Ribbon Carnival for younger students to provide awareness about alcohol and drug abuse.

Click here to view more... Alabama Gulf Coast students honored for Red Ribbon community service projects | al.com.

ELSANOR, Alabama — In less than two weeks, volunteer firefighters have responded to six structure fires in the Elsanor and Rosinton communities- including an abandoned historic home, a business and a 40-thousand dollar barn.

(BALDWIN COUNTY, Ala.) Deputies are searching for a guy who’s broken into two homes in the Marlow and Summerdale areas.

Click here to view more... BCSO: Burglary Suspect is Armed and Dangerous | Mobile AL, Pensacola FL News, Weather, Sports | WPMI-TV | Local15TV.com.

Court records show that the owner of the retail complex at The Wharf has purchased the remaining bank-owned real estate — including a 220-slip marina and the 10,000-seat amphitheater — for approximately $14 million.

Click here to view more... Owner finalizes purchase of Orange Beach retail center – Birmingham Business Journal.

GULF SHORES AND ORANGE BEACH, ALA. – What better way to promote the beautiful Coastal Connection than through mobile application visitors can take to the road!? The “Coastal Byway” mobile app for iPhones and Androids is available for free download and features an interactive map, attractions listings, videos and more.

Click here to view more... National Scenic Byway in Mobile and Baldwin Counties launches new app – GulfCoastNewsToday.com: Local News.

GULF SHORES, Ala. — The Gulf Shores Police Department is proud to announce it will be hosting the 2012 Region One United States Canine Association Police dog Field Trial Feb. 20-24 at the Gulf Shores Sportsplex.

Click here to view more... Police dog field trial at Gulf Shores Sportsplex Feb. 20-24 – GulfCoastNewsToday.com: Local News.