Covering all of Baldwin County, AL every Friday. Orange Beach set to host 35th annual Alabama Clay Conference The Baldwin Times PAGE 12 FEBRUARY 28, 2020 | GulfCoastNewsToday.com | 75¢ School board approves economic development partnership By GUY BUSBY The board voted 5-1 to ap- Superintendent of Educa- and I just think this is a game said Baldwin County has to [email protected] prove a $96,900 annual con- tion Eddie Tyler said the changer.” have trained workers ready tract with the Baldwin County school system must improve Tyler said the EDA has for jobs in order to attract new BAY MINETTE — A part- Economic Development Al- programs to train young connections with major in- industries to locations such as nership between the Baldwin liance to create an economic people who do not plan to go to dustries in the area that can the Megasite in Bay Minette. Count School System and the and workforce development college. develop training programs for “What’s changed about county’s Economic Develop- strategy proposal. The plan “This is huge for Baldwin students and can hire young economic development is that ment Alliance should better calls for the EDA to work with County,” Tyler said. “I think people when they are ready to we used to as a state be able to train future employees and the school system and indus- we’re dotting the i’s and cross- enter the work force. The alli- lure a Mercedes or a Hyundai make the area more com- tries to develop training pro- ing the t’s on academics, but ance can also help school of- to a site or to a location with petitive in recruiting new grams, seek grants for career we’re way behind in workforce ficials locate and obtain grants some incentives, then tell industries, education and de- training and internship and development. We’ve got two for career education. velopment officials said. apprenticeship programs. archaic career tech centers Lee Lawson, EDA director, SEE SCHOOL, PAGE 4 Blakeley to Laissez les bon temps rouler celebrate Arbor Week in Alabama with special programs and cruise Submitted Historic Blakeley Shakespeare’s State Park will cel- “A Midsummer ebrate Arbor Week in Alabama with three Night’s Dream” special events on Sat- urday, Feb. 29. in Fairhope Arbor Day’s “roots” in Alabama stretch Submitted back to 1887, when Governor Thomas The Alabama Shake- Seay, a veteran of the JOHN UNDERWOOD / STAFF PHOTO speare Festival will Civil War Battle of The Krewe of the Baby Armadillos took to the track at Rosinton School on Friday, Feb. 21 to celebrate the present one of Shake- Fort Blakeley, issued upcoming Mardi Gras holiday. Schools in Baldwin County enjoyed a break so they could enjoy all the festivi- speare’s most popular the first proclamation ties on Monday and Tuesday, Feb. 24 and 25 for the Mardi Gras celebration in preparation of Ash Wednesday comedies in the Black which falls on Feb. 26. Ash Wednesday is traditionally the first day of Lent, the 40-day period leading up to Box Theatre at Fairhope SEE BLAKELEY, PAGE 2 Easter. See more pictures on page 7. High School on Thurs- day, March 5th. The Fairhope Educational Enrichment Foundation has partnered with ASF Sen. Jones’ office focused on Alabama issues SEE SHAKESPEARE, PAGE 2 By ALLISON MARLOW As a member of the Com- founded. tional security. [email protected] mittee on Armed Services, The Mobile-based military Jones said his staff is also BALDWIN FAST FACTS Jones said senators will be contractor which employs working toward helping fish- February has seen U.S. Sen- meeting with U.S. military thousands of Baldwin and ermen balance profit and ator Doug Jones crisscrossing commanders stationed around Mobile county residents, deliv- maintaining red snapper Magnolia Springs was Alabama and hosting Black the globe to discuss future ered its 11th Littoral Combat populations with legislation just named the sixth most History Month events and se- needs. Ship to the U.S. Navy this that will push for electronic charming small town in nior town halls in an effort to “We are looking at the fu- month. log books and new methods to America by Global travel “get back to business” Jones ture and what we need for “Austal does an amazing insure small fish are returned site, Big 7 Travel. said. our budget to modernize our job of bringing ships in on to the water alive. After a recent local event, military and fend off enemies budget and on time,” Jones “We have so many fish we The towns (classified by the senator told Gulf Coast on land, sea, air and space,” said. “That’s the kind of gov- loose and the fishermen are in under population of 50,000) Media it was difficult to Jones said. “There is a lot ernment contractors you want favor of things like this to help were ranked based on schedule events during the going on and we will hit the and my goal is to make sure maintain the population,” their ‘charm factor’, which impeachment trial and now ground running.” we don’t lose them as a con- Jones said. includes natural scenery, that it has ended his staff is on Jones said local fears and tractor.” Earlier this week, Jones also general friendliness of the the road and back to working rumors that local military Jones stressed that the con- spoke about the possibility community, food and drink on issues impacting Alabama shipbuilder, Austal USA tractor’s work is important to scene, history or culture. residents in their homes. will eventually close are un- the state’s economy and na- SEE JONES, PAGE 2 Deaths Page 6 Gulf Charles Ames Bruner Coast Buford Courtney Foster Sr. Media Cynthia Ann Hamm VOLUME 129 • ISSUE 42 Mattie Ruth Sprinkle 1 SECTION • 28 PAGES 2 • The Baldwin Times • February 28, 2020 • Gulf Coast Media for recovery. The CDP Health and Human Ser- professionals at the CDP JONES is one of a number of vices, the Department of will rise to the occasion. The Baldwin Times CONTINUED FROM 1 contingency sites, and Homeland Security, and I urge the Administra- at this time, the multi- the Centers for Disease tion to continue to keep 901 N. McKenzie St., Foley, AL 36535-3546 of coronavirus patients agency plan anticipates Control to do all they can Congress and the Ameri- being transported and using other sites first. to provide the best care can people informed PHONE: (251) 943-2151 | FAX: (251) 943-3441 housed at the Center for “It is my understand- possible for those who about their response [email protected] Domestic Preparedness ing that this information must endure quarantine to this virus and their in Anniston, Ala. is being provided to of- and those who are suf- efforts to prevent any Allison Marlow Classified Advertising Over the weekend of- ficials in Anniston, and fering from this virus,” further infections in the Managing Editor Lindsay Walker ficials told his staff that the folks at the CDP have Jones said. United States. We will allisonm@gulfcoast lindsay@gulfcoast Americans from the been told that if their fa- “My first priority is to continue to monitor this media.com media.com Diamond Princess cruise cility is needed in the fu- protect the people of Ala- evolving situation with ship who tested positive ture, adequate notice and bama, and I have utmost hope and compassion for Tony Whitehead Legal Advertising for the virus might be details will be provided. confidence that, if called all affected,” he said. Sports Editor April M. Perry transported to Alabama I urge the Department of upon, the unmatched tony@gulfcoast legals@gulfcoast media.com media.com BLAKELEY abundance and diver- versity of one of Ameri- Parks Rogers sity of its native tree ca’s natural wonders. Publisher CONTINUED FROM 1 species. Tickets are $25 for [email protected] This walking tour adults and may be pur- for the holiday. Since will begin and end near chased on our website. To subscribe, make an address change or vacation delivery 1975, Arbor Week has the park dock. The tour Throughout the day, stop, you may call our office at (251) 943-2151, go online at been observed annually is complimentary with while supplies last, www.gulfcoastnewstoday.com and click on the “e-edition” link in in Alabama during the regular park admission visitors may pick up the black toolbar. Under “don’t have an id’ there is an option for last full week of Febru- or cruise tickets. free tree seedlings sup- how to become a subscriber, or email amber@gulfcoastmedia. ary. At 10 a.m. we offer plied by the Alabama com. At 9 a.m. noted local a two-hour excursion Forestry Commission ©Gulf Coast Media 2019. No part of this newspaper may be botanist Fred Nation into the wild and scenic (varieties to be available reproduced without the prior written consent of the group will guide visitors on delta aboard our 50-pas- unknown at this time). publisher or associate publisher. Opinions of editorial or a 45-minute journey senger pontoon boat, general columnists or those reflected in submitted letters through Blakeley’s the Delta Explorer. This For more information, do not necessarily reflect the editorial position of this SUBMITTED PHOTO magnificent riverside cruise showcases the visit www.blakeleypark. newspaper. forest to discover the beauty and natural di- com/Events. Fred Nation The Baldwin Times (USPS 040-560) is published weekly, with its office located at 901 N. McKenzie St., in Foley, AL 36535. Periodicals postage paid at Foley, AL 36535.