Severe weather shelter opening in Foley
FOLEY – A severe weather shelter will open in Foley at 10 a.m. Saturday for residents needing a location to stay. The Safer Place shelter will open at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church at 506 N. Pine St. in Foley at 10 a.m. Saturday. The shelter is scheduled to remain open until 6 a.m. Sunday. Governor Kay Ivey declared a state of emergency Friday throughout Alabama as a series of severe weather events including straight-line winds, lightning, hail, and tornadoes were expected to move through the state through early Sunday morning. The National Weather [...]
Foley library event to feature bestselling author Colleen Coble
FOLEY – Bestselling author Colleen Coble will meet with readers on Saturday, March 22, in an event presented by the Foley Public Library. The event will begin at 10 a.m. at the Foley Civic Center. Coble and her guest, Rick Acker, will be launching the book, “AMBUSH.” The book is set in the area. Readers and fans can meet Coble, hear about her writing journey and discuss her latest works. Coble is a celebrated Christian fiction author known for her gripping romantic suspense novels, including the “Rock Harbor,” and “Hope Beach” series. With [...]
Foley recognizes employees’ service
FOLEY – Foley recognized the contributions of municipal workers in the last year in keeping the city running efficiently and improving the community. The city held its annual employee appreciation event Friday, March 7. Mayor Ralph Hellmich said he and the City Council members appreciate the contributions made by Foley workers. “Every day I hear people talk about how well run the city of Foley is. They always say, you're doing a great job. It's not me, it's what you guys do, and the pride that you take in your everyday jobs,” Hellmich [...]
Work begins on Heritage Park, Jessamine improvements
FOLEY – Work on the east side of Heritage Park and Jessamine Avenue is underway as Foley continues to make improvements downtown. The project will provide walkways, columns and access linking the pedestrian bridge over Alabama 59, across the park and to City Hall, Mayor Ralph Hellmich said. “That is starting at the clock tower with a walkway that crosses the park with a gateway entrance on the east side,” Hellmich said. “This will complete the park on all four sides. We will carry that project to pave Jessamine eastward over to City [...]
Foley adjusts council districts for 2025 election
FOLEY – Foley is modifying City Council districts to adjust boundaries in preparation for the 2025 municipal election. Cities must modify districts after each census to take population changes into account. The new boundaries for the city’s five districts are scheduled to be in place before the city elections in August. Mike Thompson, city administrator, said cities must redraw district lines to accommodate population changes before each municipal election. The new boundaries are intended to establish five districts with similar populations. “We analyzed it internally based upon the number of new housing starts, [...]
Foley promotes city recycling
FOLEY – Foley recycling trucks with a new design will soon roll through city streets as efforts continue to encourage residents to keep materials out of landfills. The new design includes the slogan “Simple Act Big Impact,” on a blue background and a triangle of white arrows. The design was selected from several created by the city. Foley collects recyclable materials, including cardboard, paper, plastic and aluminum, from locations in the city once a week. The city recycling program has a participation rate of more than 60%. In January, Foley delivered its first [...]
Foley to extend, improve Pilgrim Street
FOLEY – A paved extension, walking trail and drainage improvements are among the improvements planned for Pilgrim Street in Foley. New plans for the project include covered culverts in the place of open ditches and paving portions of the street that is now dirt. Mayor Ralph Hellmich said the work will also provide residents in the area with new walkways. “This will be coming off of Michigan Avenue and going northward, and it will end up at Beulah Park, so it will complete a circuit in Beulah that allows people to have the [...]
Foley to hold special meeting to discuss audit
FOLEY – The Foley City Council will conduct a special meeting Monday to accept the audited Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for the fiscal year that ended Sept. 30, 2024. The special meeting will begin at 3 p.m. at Foley City Hall. Foley has received a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada for 11 consecutive years. Following the special meeting, the City Council will hold its regular work session and meeting. That meeting will begin at 4 p.m. at City [...]
Foley receives sixth consecutive national budget award
FOLEY – Foley continues to receive national recognition for financial reporting. The Foley Finance Department received the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada. The recognition is the sixth-consecutive Distinguished Budget Award for the city’s Finance Department. The award, recognizing the 2025 budget, represents a significant achievement by the department. “It reflects the commitment of the governing body and staff to meeting the highest principles of governmental budgeting,” A GFOA statement said. “In order to receive the budget award, the entity had to satisfy [...]
Foley moves forward with Safe Room plans
FOLEY – Plans for a shelter to protect Foley first responders during a hurricane or other emergency are moving forward. The Foley City Council approved a plan of the planned building that includes an all-brick facade. Mayor Ralph Hellmich said the design will be practical and match the appearance of other structures in the area. “The building is going to look very good,” Hellmich said. “It’s very well designed from that standpoint. It will be low maintenance. It will blend with the area.” The project is expected to cost almost $6 million. A [...]