DAPHNE, Alabama — Daphne’s City Hall has been without a key component of its fire alarm system — which is required in large commercial structures — since a $7 million renovation was completed in 2009.

via Alarming situation: Faulty fire alarm system at Daphne City Hall | al.com.

The Friends of the Orange Beach Library held an Open House and mini-Book Sale on Dec. 12 in the meeting room of the library.

Refreshments were served and books, many with Christmas titles, were available for purchase.

via Orange Beach Library Friends have open house – Baldwin County NOW

BAY MINETTE, Alabama — Baldwin County commissioners this week backed out of providing $22,500 to the Southwest Alabama Workforce Development Council that would have been matched by the school board.

via Baldwin County Commission stops funding for Southwest Alabama Workforce Development Council | al.com.

ANNISTON, Alabama (AP) — The struggling economy might have put a dent in revenue at many tourist destinations in 2011, but it didn't seem to affect Cheaha State Park.

via Alabama state parks have strong year despite problems | al.com.

FOLEY — Foley United Methodist Church is hosting an all free “Fall Festival” Saturday, Nov. 12, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Free games, face painting, cake walks, hamburgers, hot dogs, pop corn are some of the fun things that will be going on.

via Foley United Methodist Church to hold a Fall Festival – Baldwin County NOW

First Baptist Church of Gulf Shores Christmas Bazaar is a free family event with shopping for Christmas, decorations, farmers market, handcrafted items such as teddy bears, wreaths, blankets, hair bow holders, linens, scarves, baked goods and many other gift items.

via Gulf Shores Baptist sets Christmas Bazaar – Baldwin County NOW

BILOXI, Mississippi — At Desporte and Sons Seafood in Biloxi there's no shortage of oysters–but if you look closer you'll see they're imported from other gulf states–Mississippi oysters are rare.  The Mississippi oyster harvest is short–just six days–and very small.

via Mississippi’s Oyster Season Closes Days After Opening | WKRG.

On Saturday, Oct.29, the Drug Enforcement Administration and local law enforcement will once again host a National Prescription Drug Take Back Day.

via Saturday is National Prescription Drug Take Back Day – Baldwin County NOW

Firefighters from Ladder 19, Engine 14, and Engine 8 responded to a fire at Shorewood Drive, off Gulf Beach Highway this afternoon, according to a news release from the Innerarity Point Volunteer Fire Department.

via Fire destroys Innerarity Point storage shed | Pensacola News Journal | pnj.com.

ORANGE BEACH, Ala. — While the salty, sea air, white sand between the toes and the gentle whir of ocean waves may seem like heaven on earth, Orange Beach will seem even more so on Oct. 23 when notes from the Baldwin Pops orchestra join the scene.

via Music director muses over music, performers and free concert – Baldwin County NOW

DAPHNE, Alabama — The City Council could not agree Monday night on a replacement for outgoing Mayor Fred Small.

via Daphne still can’t decide on replacement for outgoing mayor Fred Small | al.com.

DAPHNE, Alabama — As an artist who has continued to paint and teach since being blinded in an accident, Ricky Trione said he knows something about dealing with disabilities.

via Ricky Trione to be executive director when Exceptional Foundation opens Oct. 31 | al.com.

MARTINSBURG, W.Va.— The pilot of a post-World War II plane died Saturday after crashing into a runway and bursting into flames, the second deadly air show crash in 24 hours.

via Pilot of WWII-era plane dies in second air show crash in 24 hours | Pensacola News Journal | pnj.com.

RENO, Nev. — A vintage World War II-era fighter plane plunged into the grandstands Friday during a popular annual air show, killing at least three people, injuring more than 50 spectators and creating a horrific scene strewn with body parts and smoking debris.

via Air show in Nevada turns deadly as pilot from Florida crashes into stands | Pensacola News Journal | pnj.com.

Consumer Reports rates them; Dermatologist discusses several of them.

via Best Sunscreens on The Market | CBS News.

It's officially “Launch Day” for Verizon's 4G coverage in Mobile and Pensacola – the moment local tech fanatics have been waiting for. News 5 visited a local Verizon Wireless store on launch day to test the service for themselves.

via 4G Service Officially Launches in Mobile, Pensacola | MOBILE, Alabama.

PENSACOLA – Although we didn’t feel the quake in Japan, the ground underneath us here in Pensacola did.

Vibrations from the earthquake registered on the city’s only seismograph, at Pensacola state college.

via WEAR ABC 3 :: Top Stories – Pensacola Earthquake.

A meteor visible from Oklahoma to the Florida panhandle flashed across the sky Tuesday night.

via Meteor Flashes Across Alabama Sky | MOBILE, Alabama.

Two pilots assigned to a military training squadron at Pensacola Naval Air Station safely ejected before their jet crashed near Tallahassee Wednesday morning.

via Jet from Pensacola NAS crashes | pnj.com | Pensacola News Journal.

Baby, it’s cold outside — but you can still enjoy the best meteor shower of the year. The 2010 Geminid meteor shower promises to be lively, with realistic viewing rates of 50-80 meteors per hour and potential peaks reaching 120 meteors per hour. Anytime between Dec. 12-16 is a valid window for Geminid-watching, but the night of Dec. 13-14 is the anticipated peak.

via NASA – Geminids Meteor Shower: ‘Up All Night’ With NASA!.