Serving the greater NORTH, CENTRAL AND SOUTH BALDWIN communities Local graduates celebrate PAGE 3 There’s plenty coming up to do The Onlooker PAGE 33 MAY 24, 2017 | GulfCoastNewsToday.com | 75¢ DA: Man involved in fatal head-on collision should have been in jail
By JOHN UNDERWOOD the Baldwin County District 7, 22-year-old Alec Gregory The charge in Alabama He was scheduled to serve [email protected] Attorney’s office is investi- Dvorak of Foley pled guilty violated Dvorak’s probation three weeks for the proba- gating the fact that the driver in Baldwin County to a sec- on a 2016 charge of fraud and tion violation in Escambia LOXLEY — While the of the other vehicle should ond degree receiving stolen dealing in stolen property in County, then be transferred Loxley Police are continu- have been in prison at the property charge. He was Escambia County, Florida, to the Alabama Corrections ing to investigate a head-on time of the accident. sentenced to serve 69 months, for which he spent 41 days in Center near Montgomery to collision that resulted in According to Baldwin 12 months in a state facility the Escambia County Jail fa- decide where he would spend DVORAK the death of a Bay Minette County District Attorney along with three years’ pro- cility from June 18 to July 29 his 12-month sentence. woman earlier this month, Robert Wilters, on March bation. of last year. SEE COLLISION, PAGE 2
Alabama. Whenever we go into 1st series a market we want to deal with great partners, and we couldn’t Elsanor be happier to be partnering of OWA with this development.” The brand is grounded in craft and top-quality ingredi- School tenants ents. The split-service burger restaurant features a menu that also includes salads, sand- announced wiches, vegetarian options and honored side dishes like tater tots, mac- By JESSICA VAUGHN aroni and cheese and macaroni Students inspired by [email protected] salad. The restaurants also fea- The Leader in Me ture a full-service bar. FOLEY — On Wednesday, SUBMITTED RELEASE May 17, OWA held a press event “Certainly the name helps get people in the door, but we to reveal the very first loca- ELSANOR — Elsanor tions that will be making their know the way we’ll be suc- cessful is if we have guests School has been named as way to the destination, which is a Leader in Me Lighthouse slated to open mid-July. who want to return again and again,” Vanzura said. “And School by Franklin Covey On site was Stephanie Bryan, Co. This recognition comes Tribal Chair and CEO of Po- that’s all about food, experi- ence, and family. So on behalf because the school has arch Band of Creek Indians. achieved outstanding results “What an exciting day here of the brothers, I want to say thank you for letting us be a in school and student out- in Foley,” Bryan began. “We comes, by implementing The are truly blessed beyond mea- part of this community, thank you for letting us be a part of Leader in Me process with sures the vision that we’ve had fidelity. It is also because of at the Poarch Band of Creek your family.” “We are grateful to partner the extraordinary impact Indians is coming to fruition. the school is having on staff, This bold vision that we have with OWA to introduce Wahl- burgers to Alabama. We look students, parents and the here at OWA was a develop- greater community. ment that was created three forward to many guests becom- ing part of our extended fam- Sean Covey, education years ago … This is a part of practice leader, Franklin that bold vision. Creating jobs, ily,” said Mark Wahlberg in a prepared statement. Covey, said, “We are thrilled creating revenue, state, city, to recognize Elsanor School and tribal. This is a prime Other tenants announced during Wednesday’s press as a Leader in Me Light- example of how we can grow house School. Schools who together, three governments event included Sunglass World, Fairhope Soap Company, working together.” SEE ELSANOR, PAGE 2 Greg Rawls, Director of Busi- Alvin’s Island, Hershey’s Ice ness Development for OWA/ Cream Shop, and Utopia. These are only a taste of what’s to Creek Indian Enterprises De- DEATHS PAGE 20 velopment Authority was given come, as OWA has stated that the honor to reveal the identity this is the first of many an- nouncements coming soon. Bonnie N. Carlson of the first national scale res- PHOTO BY JESSICA VAUGHN Along with Wahlburgers, they William Roger Chandler taurant that will soon be call- OWA reveals first tenant, Wahlburgers, which will be opening August 2017. Leigh Reasonover Dees ing OWA home. are also expecting at least seven more locations that have Nora Ann Farley “This is one of many an- Wahlburgers.” CEO of the restaurant chain, presence and exposure of a na- Linda M. Fulks nouncements about to hap- The Wahlburgers of OWA was present for the reveal, hav- tional level. pen,” Rawls began, “this is our will be the first to open in Ala- ing flown to Alabama on short Rose H. Givens “We pay special attention first, and we’re very proud of bama, and it will be the brand’s notice to be on site for the an- Ann Louise Gordon Breneman to how the tenant mix works, this announcement.” He then second largest location overall. nouncement. Loder what’s next to what,” said Ray proceeded to pull down the Wahlburgers is a brand cre- “On behalf of the brothers, Jimmie Joyce Martin Schaefer with Gravity Archi- previously covered restaurant ated by world-class chef Paul I want to say it’s a thrill to be Ernest B. Mullings tecture. “What national loca- sign, to the applause of those Wahlberg, along with his well- here,” Vanzura said. “To part- Robert Q. Roddam tion is next to what regional, watching. “It’s Wahlburgers, known brothers Mark and Don- ner with Poarch Creek, the Richard Dowdy Taylor Sr. our first announcement is nie Wahlberg. Rick Vanzura, City of Foley, and the state of SEE OWA, PAGE 2
INDEX Gulf BALDWIN LIVING, 5 OUT & ABOUT, 25 Coast CLASSIFIED, 8 PUZZLES, 10 Media HEALTH, 22 SPORTS, 13 VOLUME 109 • ISSUE 19 LEGALS, 27 TV LISTINGS, 16 1 SECTION • 36 PAGES OPINION, 11 2 • The Onlooker • May 24, 2017 • Gulf Coast Media
OWA ing to eat and shop then you bring in a tenant just for the have the freedom to browse name,” Schaefer said. “The CONTINUED FROM 1 and dine through their retail Wahlberg’s have a great and what is mixed between and dining district. Parking name, and they have a fantas- restaurants, entertainment, is free for all attractions. For tic product and their service and retail. That layout al- those who do pay the general is great, and that’s really im- lows for the guests to have an admission for the park, they portant at the end of the day, amazing time while here at are able to come in and out at all of our outlets.” OWA.” as they please. The park is slated for a Patrons don’t have to OWA takes pride in their mid-July opening, and Wahl- worry about paying a fee to tenants, which is why even burgers will be close behind get into the retail or dining though they have three or with an estimated opening experiences at OWA. There four tenants looking at each date set in August. will be general admission for available space, they are tak- For full gallery of the OWA the theme park which will ing time to choose which will construction site, check out be best for the destination. our website at GulfCoast- STAFF PHOTOS BY JOHN UNDERWOOD have the only gated entry on “We would not want to NewsToday.com. Shelly Rider, second from right, director of the Leader in Me coaching team site, so if you’re just com- with the Franklin Covey Co., presents the Lighthouse School award to Elsanor School Principal Susan Runnels, right, Baldwin County School Superintendent Eddie Tyler and assistant superintendent Hope Zeanah. and self-discipline, as well as gain- ELSANOR ing skills of goal setting and the CONTINUED FROM 1 Honoring Our Heroes Four Disciplines of Execution. It achieve the Lighthouse Milestone is a joy to see children attempting are great examples of a strong to create win-win situations and leadership model, process, and of embedding it into their everyday what it means to be a Leader in lives both at home and school. I am Me school. This school has experi- excited about the great days ahead enced transformational results by for Elsanor School.” implementing the principles and The Leader in Me is a whole- practices related to The Leader in school transformation model Me. We are so pleased to celebrate — developed in partnership with the success they are experienc- educators — that empowers stu- ing.” dents with the leadership and life Susan Runnels, principal of skills they need to thrive in the Elsanor School said, “We are hon- 21st century. It is based on secular ored to become a Leader in Me principles and practices of per- Lighthouse School. We have seen sonal, interpersonal, and organi- such amazing results from imple- zational effectiveness. Distinct in menting The Leader in Me process several ways, The Leader in Me: at our school. This has empow- • Starts from a powerful prem- ered four to 12-year-old children ise — that every child possesses STAFF PHOTO BY JOHN UNDERWOOD to truly care about our school’s unique strengths and has the abil- The Central Baldwin Chamber of Commerce hosted its third luncheon May 18 for first responders titled Honoring learning environment. The stu- ity to be a leader. This premise Our Heroes at the PZK Civic Center in Robertsdale. First responders, including Sheriff Hoss Mack and deputies dents have gained self-confidence shapes the views of staff to value from the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Department, fire officials, EMA, EMT and police department officials, including and are becoming leaders with and develop the whole child. several police chiefs from throughout Baldwin County, attended the event, said Chamber Executive Director Gail strong voices. It is refreshing to see • Integrates leadership devel- Quezada. “This is a way for us to honor those who serve, not just in Central Baldwin, but for the entire area,” she said. The annual event coincides with the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Department’s Officers Memorial, which is held students taking responsibility and opment into existing school pro- grams, curricula and traditions. in May to honor officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty. That event is held as part of Law Enforcement ownership for their own learning Officers Memorial Week.
was not received in Escam- Florida, Dvorak was re- ger were transported by him from there,” Wilters charges, including theft of COLLISION bia County,” Wilters said. leased. helicopter to USA Medical said. “He could serve out property, minor in posses- CONTINUED FROM 1 So instead of being trans- According to Escambia Center in Mobile, where his sentence, he could be sion of alcohol, a traffic “Somewhere down the ferred to Montgomery County, Florida, jail re- Dvorak remains in stable released on parole, any charge, using false identity line the (transfer) order from Escambia County, cords, Dvorak was booked condition. The passenger, number of things.” to obstruct justice, fraudu- into the Escambia County who has not been identi- Records show that lent use of a credit/debit Corrections Facility on fied, has been released, Dvorak has spent nearly card and a second degree April 7. He was released according to the Loxley his entire adult life in rape charge. The Onlooker on April 26. Police Department. and out of prison with a In 2016 he was booked On May 8, Dvorak and Wilters said they are long list of bookings in in March on a receiving 901 N. McKenzie St., Foley, AL 36535-3546 a passenger were travel- being told that Dvorak will Baldwin County, dating stolen property charge, PHONE: (251) 943-2151 | FAX: (251) 943-3441 ing southbound when the have to undergo therapy back to when he was just then booked in June and [email protected] 2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee for a leg injury before he 18. Baldwin County jail November on fugitive he was driving crossed will be released. Once re- records show three sepa- from justice charges be- Cliff McCollum Retail Advertising the center line and struck leased from the hospital, rate bookings from De- fore the March 2017 court Managing Editor Central & South head-on with a 2014 Hyun- Wilters said, he will be cember 2013 to March of hearing. cliff @gulfcoastmedia.com Jeniece Bouzan dai Tucson, driven by transferred to the state fa- 2014 on domestic violence Loxley Police are con- John Underwood [email protected] 49-year-old Sarah Echols cility near Montgomery to charges. tinuing to investigate the Co-Editor Retail Advertising-South of Bay Minette. She was be processed. In 2014, records show cause of the crash and [email protected] LouAnn Love killed on impact. “It will be up to them Dvorak served eight charges could be pending Dvorak and his passen- to decide what to do with months on a string of in the case. 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Robertsdale High, Foley High, Baldwin County High students graduate
The Baldwin County High School Class of 2017 held its graduation ceremony May 16 at Lyle Un- derwood Stadium. The keynote speaker was Dawn Helms Sharff, a 1987 BCHS graduate. Among the special guests attending the ceremony included Mayor Bob Wills, Superintendent Eddie Tyler and area principals. The class also remembered their classmate Wesley Rabren with a moment of silence. Members of the BCHS Tiger Band released balloons in his memory as well.
Owen Nobles, left, is excited to graduate.
TINA COVINGTON / Maggie Diehl, Cortney Presley and Leanne Phillips, from left, celebrate after the graduation cer- FOR THE ONLOOKER emony for the Baldwin County High School Class of 2017.
PHOTO BY JESSICA VAUGHN The Foley High School Class of 2017 graduated with pride on Tuesday, May 16, at the Ivan Jones Stadium. Senior Class President Bailey Salter welcomed the students and their families to the JOHN UNDERWOOD / GCM STAFF PHOTO ceremony, which saw over 300 students becoming alumni of Foley High. The Presentation of More than 260 graduates received degrees during commencement ceremonies for the Rob- Graduates’ Diplomas began shortly after to a packed stadium, and Russ Moore, principal, shook ertsdale High School Class of 2017 held May 15 at J.D. Sellars Stadium on the campus of Rob- hands with each student as their names were called. For the full Foley graduation night gallery, ertsdale Elementary School. Class President Logan Ellison and SGA President Ashlynn Lutz check our website at GulfCoastNewsToday.com. addressed the class, which received $4.2 million in scholarships.