Replica of historic Foley hotel created for railroad exhibit
FOLEY – A replica of a historic Foley landmark will be joining the city’s model railroad exhibit at the Depot Museum. For the last several months, members of Foley’s Caboose Club have been designing and building a scale replica of the Foley Hotel building to be used in the museum’s model railroad exhibit. The model is sized to fit the O scale model train display in the museum. The hotel, which today is often referred to as the Stacey Drugstore building, opened in 1927. The model depicts the hotel in 1933, the year [...]
Foley High students, teachers working on music career education projects
FOLEY – A recent rock concert that featured The Velcro Pygmies is one example of how Foley High School students and teachers are working to develop one of Alabama’s first career education programs for music production. Career technical education, or CTE, programs are available for students considering a variety of fields. That option, however, is not yet available for students planning careers in music production, Micheal Roy, chairman of the Foley High Fine Arts Department, said. “Alabama doesn’t have a music-focused CTE program,” Roy said. “We’re working to develop standards for the first [...]
Hurricane assistance program taking applications
The Home Recovery Alabama Program is taking applications for assistance from homeowners affected by the hurricanes that struck the region in 2020. The HRAP provides housing assistance to eligible single-family owner-occupants and the the owners of single-family rental homes whose property was damaged during Hurricane Sally in September 2020 and Hurricane Zeta in October 2020. The HRAP provides money to help with the costs of repairing, reconstructing or replacing homes damaged during either or both of the hurricanes. The program is intended help meet the needs of extremely-low, very-low, low and moderate-income households, [...]
Solar farm proposed for Foley site
FOLEY – A former turf farm could become a solar generating site under a plan proposed for the 619-acre site in Foley. The Foley Planning Commission voted Wednesday, April 19 to recommend a proposal to designate the site as a planned industrial district. The PID designation would allow the land to be used as a solar farm. The property is west of Baldwin County 65 and south of Baldwin County 26. The proposal now goes to the Foley City Council for approval. Turf Properties owns the land. Miriam Boone, Foley city planner, said [...]
Foley adding street lights along Juniper
FOLEY – Drivers traveling on Juniper Street east of the Tanger Outlet Center will soon find their route easier to follow after the installation of street lights. The Foley City Council voted Monday, April 17, to approve the installation of street lights from East Pride Drive to Miflin Road – Baldwin County 20. Mayor Ralph Hellmich said the new lights will brighten the busy route and make traveling easier. “That area is very dark and we’re working on a comprehensive lighting program down Stabler Way, the Farmers’ Market, down Koniar Way,” Hellmich said. [...]
Foley companies win state SBA awards
FOLEY – Foley is the only Alabama city to have two companies win awards from the U.S. Small Business Administration. The SBA recognized five businesses across Alabama. Soilkit by AgriTech Corporation, owned by Christina Woerner McInnis, won Alabama Rural-Owned Small Business of the Year. Sydney Cody of Vanguard Pacific won Alabama Veteran-Owned Small Business of the Year. The Foley City Council recognized the two businesses Monday, April 17. Mayor Ralph Hellmich said the fact that a city the size of Foley had two of the five awards shows the strength of the economy [...]
Foley celebrates city volunteers
FOLEY – Foley recognized its city volunteers, the unpaid citizens who serve on boards and commissions as well as staff museums and other agencies, with a reception Friday, April 14. More than 200 volunteers were recognized during a reception at the Foley Civic Center. Mayor Ralph Hellmich said the volunteers provide services for the entire community. “Today, we want to show appreciation to all the people who serve on our boards and our volunteers who help our city because without you guys we couldn’t do it,” Hellmich told the volunteers. “Some of these [...]
Foley near top in nation in fortified homes
Foley ranks third in the United States in building “fortified” homes designed to withstand the impact of hurricanes and other weather events, according to the most recent report from SmartHomes America. Fortified homes are built with reinforced roofs and other measures intended to protect the buildings from storm damage. The owners of fortified homes can get tax breaks and reduced insurance costs because the houses are designed to withstand hurricane-force winds. More information on savings is available at https://www.smarthomeamerica.org/news/the-ultimate-guide-to-fortified-roof-tax-credits-and-deductions?ct=t%28FORTIFIED+Tax+Credits%29&mc_cid=4950089408&mc_eid=ab29dbe1cd
Foley small businesses receive SBA awards
FOLEY – The Foley City Council will recognize two of the four Alabama small businesses to receive awards from the U.S. Small Business Administration as part of Small Business Week that are from Foley. The council is scheduled to recognize the businesses at the meeting and work session Monday, April 17 at Foley City Hall. The Alabama Rural-Owned Small Business of the Year is Soilkit by AgriTech Corporation, owned by Christina Woerner McInnis. The Alabama Veteran-Owned Small Business of the Year is Sydney Cody of Vanguard Pacific. Soilkit makes and distributes a comprehensive [...]
Old Foley flag pole could come down
FOLEY – With the Stars and Stripes now flying from a new location, the city of Foley’s 80-foot flagpole on Alabama 59 could soon be coming down. The city’s 20-foot by 30-foot flag has been flying from a new pole, which is 90 feet tall, about one block from the old location. Foley officials are building a small park at the new pole site, which is located in a parking lot next to the NAPA auto parts store on the east side of Alabama 59. Brenda Shambo, city administrative assistant, told members of [...]