Covering all of Baldwin County, AL every Friday. Senior Bowl practice underway PAGE 18-19 High School The Baldwin Times basketball PAGE 18 JANUARY 24, 2020 | GulfCoastNewsToday.com | 75¢ Flu cases decline for second week in Alabama Baldwin By ALLISON MARLOW one of the places seeing the 3, 2019 and Jan. 5, 2020, a year was unavailable by press County [email protected] least number of doctor visits staggering decline from the time. associated with flu-like symp- previous year which saw 139 The Centers for Disease So far, flu season has been toms. Officials said 5.9 per- patients in the same time Control also reported a drop chambers relatively gentle on south- cent of patients in this area period. in flu activity for the past two west Alabama. report flu symptoms while Between Nov. 1, 2019 and weeks, however high levels of set According to the Alabama the number across the state Jan. 20, 2020, South Baldwin the virus remain active in 32 Department of Public Health, remains at 5.11 percent. Regional Medical Center in states, including Alabama. legislative the state’s southwest district, At Thomas Hospital, offi- Foley treated 224 patients for Officials said they are which includes Baldwin cials there treated 84 patients influenza. The number of County, is leading the state as for influenza between Nov. patients treated the previous SEE FLU, PAGE 7 agenda By ALLISON MARLOW [email protected] Byrne Keeping the dream alive This year when the Alabama Legislature accepting gathers, representa- tives will hear a single, summer unified voice from Baldwin County’s internship Chambers of Com- merce. applications The five area cham- bers collectively repre- sent 3.600 businesses Submitted and 75,000 employees. Last fall they polled Congressman Brad- everyone in their ley Byrne (R-AL) is rosters and created a currently accepting legislative agenda that applications for sum- looked to improve life mer interns in both as a whole in Baldwin his Washington, D.C. County. and Mobile offices. Ap- “The Coalition aims plicants should be cur- to support business by rent college students educating employers or recent graduates. JOHN UNDERWOOD / STAFF PHOTO and their employees Ties to Alabama’s First regarding important Congressional District legislative issues, con- are preferred, but not necting directly with required. Loxley group hosts march and our local elected offi- The application can cials about issues that be found at https:// matter to our business byrne.house.gov/ser- program on MLK Day of Service members in Baldwin vices/internships, and County,” said a press the deadline to apply is release for the Baldwin Feb. 24. By JOHN UNDERWOOD Real Estate Division, Mobile smart. County Chamber Coali- Congressional [email protected] District, with the U.S. Army “What does ‘S.M.A.R.T.’ tion. internships offer a Corps of Engineers. look like,” he said. “Let’s look The survey touched unique experience for LOXLEY — About 40 souls Patterson’s speech focused at the word.” on everything from students interested in braved the cold and close to on “How we can keep the S: Sophisticated. road repair to health- learning more about 80 participated in a program dream alive today.” M: Manners. care. the legislative process to honor Dr. Martin Luther “Dr. King’s dream was about A: Active and Alert. “We always ap- and the inner workings King Jr. on Monday, Jan. 20 in focusing not on the color of a R: Reject stereotypes. preciate the counsel of a Congressional Loxley. person’s skin, but on the con- T: Touch somebody and pull and advice from our office. Intern respon- After marching from the tent of their heart,” Patterson them over to you. chambers from across sibilities may vary Loxley Church of God to the said. “To do that we have to This is the 15th straight year Baldwin County,” Rep. but include answering Loxley Civic Center, Monday’s learn to love each other.” that the Loxley Area Martin Matt Simpson said. program featured Dr. Willie Patterson said keeping the SEE BYRNE, PAGE 2 L. Patterson III, chief of the dream alive, you have to be SEE MLK, PAGE 4 SEE AGENDA, PAGE 2 BALDWIN FAST FACTS County seeks toll authority for Beach Express extension The white, sugar sand By GUY BUSBY way expansion, officials said million. does not have the money to beaches of Baldwin County [email protected] Tuesday, Jan. 21. Most of that cost is $200 pay the cost of extending the are formed for quartz that County Engineer Joey million to extend the Baldwin highway. An amendment on filtered down through the BAY MINETTE — Baldwin Nunnally told county com- Beach Express from where the November 2020 ballot Appalachian Mountains County will be asking the missioners that improvement it now ends at Interstate 10 would allow Baldwin County thousands of years ago ac- public for help later this year projects needed to increase north to Interstate 65, he said. to create a toll authority for cording to www.gulfshores. to resolve a $200-million fund- capacity on Baldwin roads are Commissioner Charles com. ing challenge for local high- expected to cost about $227 “Skip” Gruber said the county SEE EXPRESS, PAGE 4 Deaths Page 6 Gulf Rebecca A. Farquhar Janet Lemmons Coast Rodney Vance Gunnison Lillian Helen Lowell Media Kati Cox Hall Harold Crenshaw Miller VOLUME 129 • ISSUE 37 Cpl. Ronald E. Harris Jr. James Karl Ryan Lt. Col. Dr. Jack Earl 1 SECTION • 28 PAGES Henderly Reagan Edna Black Lassitter 2 • The Baldwin Times • January 24, 2020 • Gulf Coast Media Bay Bridge Project force needs in Bald- the state and federal AGENDA and the development win County. levels to complete The Baldwin Times CONTINUED FROM 1 of the I-65 Beach Ex- these projects. press Connector in Economic 901 N. McKenzie St., Foley, AL 36535-3546 “Infrastructure, work- Baldwin County. Development Quality of Life force and education, • Supports efforts • The Baldwin County • The Baldwin County PHONE: (251) 943-2151 | FAX: (251) 943-3441 economic development, to ensure reliable Chamber Coalition Chamber Coalition [email protected] healthcare and quality broadband connectiv- supports legislation supports legislation of life — these are all is- ity across Baldwin that will ensure a that will establish and Allison Marlow Classified Advertising sues that are important County for business, healthy and thriving promote responsible Managing Editor Lindsay Walker to every citizen of Bald- industry and resi- economy. We support and sustainable inter- allisonm@gulfcoast lindsay@gulfcoast win County. By high- dents. and encourage efforts actions with and the media.com media.com lighting these issues, to recruit large-scale, enjoyment of natural the chambers continue Workforce and advanced manufactur- resources, including Tony Whitehead Legal Advertising to help our delegation Education ing companies to the but not limited to the Sports Editor April M. Perry make sure we maintain • The Baldwin County South Alabama Mega- Causeway Master tony@gulfcoast legals@gulfcoast and improve upon the Chamber Coalition Site. Plan, Baldwin County media.com media.com Baldwin County we live supports legislation • Supports the renewal Beaches, Mobile Bay in and love.” that will support for HB 317 and the and the Tensaw River The following are the and fund Youth and removal of the sunset Delta. Parks Rogers goals set forth by the co- Adult Apprentice- clause which clarifies • Supports legislation Publisher alition, based on the poll ship Programs and Alabama’s Ethics Law which will encourage [email protected] results: Skilled Workforce intent for Professional environmentally- Training Centers for Economic Developers friendly business Infrastructure To subscribe, make an address change or vacation delivery skilled workforce and Site Consultants practices for growing, stop, you may call our office at (251) 943-2151, go online at • As members of the Al- development through not to be considered sustaining and devel- www.gulfcoastnewstoday.com and click on the “e-edition” link in liance for Alabama’s partnerships with and made to register oping business and the black toolbar. Under “don’t have an id’ there is an option for Infrastructure, the regional workforce as lobbyists and those industry in Baldwin how to become a subscriber, or email amber@gulfcoastmedia. Baldwin County councils such as they serve as princi- County. com. Chamber Coalition SAWDC Alabama pals. • Supports programs ©Gulf Coast Media 2019. No part of this newspaper may be supports continued Works. • Supports the widen- that will allow in- reproduced without the prior written consent of the group advocacy for improve- • Supports Governor ing and deepening of creased access to and publisher or associate publisher. Opinions of editorial or ments, development, Kay Ivey's Strong the shipping chan- quality of healthcare general columnists or those reflected in submitted letters and adequate funding Start, Strong Finish nel at the State Port for employees and do not necessarily reflect the editorial position of this of Baldwin County’s K-12 Education initia- in Mobile, as well as service providers newspaper. Roads and Bridges. tive. improvements to the through legislation The Baldwin Times (USPS 040-560) is published weekly, • Supports efforts that • Supports the develop- Alabama Port and any and allocation of with its office located at 901 N. McKenzie St., in Foley, AL 36535. Periodicals postage paid at Foley, AL 36535. Subscription will create progress ment of housing that legislation and the al- funding at the state rates: In-county annual, $40.00 plus local sales tax; six-month, on the I-10 / Mobile will sustain all work- location of funding at and federal levels $24.00 plus local sales tax; senior citizen annual, $38.00 plus local sales tax; six-month, $22.50 plus local sales tax; and out- of-county annual, $79.00, six-month, $40.00.