Hal Scheurich

Lifeguards performed 59 water rescues over holiday weekend in Orange Beach

The fire station is estimated to cost between $4 million and $5 million to build. The city will spend another $1 million a year on new employee salaries and benefits.

Strong east winds persisted overnight and throughout the day Thursday, building the surf to more than five feet and creating a sweeping current along the shore. When double red flags go up, both Gulf Shores and Orange Beach have city ordinances which kick in making it illegal to enter the gulf.

Judge Michael Hoyt set Beasley’s bond at $150,000 on the murder charge. Conditions of making bond will require Beasley to remain under GPS house arrest and he cannot possess firearms.

Gulf Shores is launching a new parking fee structure at its public beaches and within the Beach Walking District. The flat rate is going away. Starting July 1, visitors will pay by the hour and the rate depends on where they park.

GULF SHORES, Ala. ( WALA ) - Starting July 1, parking at Gulf Shores beaches is changing and depending on where you park, it could cost more or less than it does now.

More than four inches of rain fell in a short amount of time, causing erosion in several spots along the bay. The damage is most severe on the south end of the park, where runoff cut a channel under the new switchback ramp and stairs recently opened to the public.

Heritage Seafood’s boat hit the dock in Fairhope Thursday to a huge line of local seafood lovers. Heritage owner Patrick Gormandy has been finding large numbers of white shrimp in the bay when the weather has cooperated.

Verizon customers in downtown Fairhope could see improved cell service after the company received approval to add new towers and equipment.

Dozens of people at Gulf Place cleared the beach as the storm came ashore. Lightning strikes in the vicinity had already prompted lifeguards to warn people off the sand.