News

Foley Library has three special programs coming up in September. All programs have limited seating and a reservation is required. Please call 251-943-7665 to reserve a spot. On Wednesday, Sept. 15 at noon, the library will host its first Lunch & Learn of the year. Our featured speaker is Mitchell Lee of the South Baldwin Literacy Council. Lee will speak about programs going on at the literacy council as well as community outreach. A free meal will be provided and reservations must be received by Monday, Sept. 13 at 5 p.m. Coffee & [...]

People with weakened immune systems are now eligible for an additional dose of Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine following a primary mRNA vaccine series to help prevent serious and possibly life-threatening COVID-19. Health officials are not recommending booster vaccine doses for the general public and have not addressed the need for additional doses following the Johnson and Johnson (J&J) vaccine but is continuing to review the need for booster doses in this population.  A third dose of Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine is not a booster dose but is an additional dose for [...]

The City of Foley, Alabama, is a coastal community with Southern charm, popular for its access to water activities, top-rated golf courses, and quaint downtown. Due to the region’s reliance on healthy bodies of water, the utility’s primary mission is to serve as stewards for the area’s aquatic environment. Riviera Utilities Wastewater Treatment Plant at Wolf Creek had been operating a 35-year-old extended aeration oxidation ditch process to meet the needs of its 20,000 residents. Rated for only 2.0 MGD, an expansion to 3.5 MGD was necessary. Instead of adding an oxidation ditch [...]

During the Aug. 2 council meeting, the City of Foley council approved a resolution to amend the city’s fund balance policy. The new policy will increase calculations from 25 percent of the city’s operating expenditures to 35 percent, effectively increasing the minimum fund balance from slightly under $10 million to slightly under $15 million. “As part of the budget each year, Mike [Thompson, City Administrator] and I review the fund balance policy,” said Finance Director Sue Steigerwald. “What it’s based on right now, or the calculation, is the effects of Hurricane Ivan on [...]

Chief Joey Darby of the Foley Fire Department was recognized as Fire Chief of the Year for the State of Alabama by the Alabama Association of Fire Chiefs. The award was given at the annual meeting in Orange Beach on Aug. 10. Darby has served as the Fire Chief of the City of Foley since January 5, 2009.  Previously, he served the City of Auburn Fire Division from 1994 until coming to Foley, having worked through the ranks to Battalion Chief.  He also served as Fire Chief of the Stillwater Volunteer Fire & [...]

Amid rising COVID-19 numbers throughout the nation, the Foley council approved the authorization for the mayor to declare emergency powers as seen fit. During the 2020 pandemic, Foley staff created a pandemic plan which was approved by the previous council. The plan detailed phases to progress through depending on the situation of the pandemic. By giving the mayor this authorization, he can implement the phases depending on the severity of the COVID-19 resurgence. “COVID has kind of exponentially exploded this summer, it’s a different animal than it was last year when there was [...]

As you are aware the COVID cases in our area are continuing to increase.  At our most recent City Council meeting, it was decided to put our Pandemic Plan - Phase One back into action for all City facilities.  What this means for our Senior Center and how it effects you is that masks will be required when social distancing is not an option. *Cards and board games can continue as long as all players wear a mask. *Saturday Night Dance, Ballroom Dance Lessons, Line Dancing all participants will be required to wear a mask or the event [...]

CLOSURE NOTICE: Walmart will close the Foley store as of 10 a.m. today, August 6, until 6 a.m. Sunday morning, August 8. As per Walmart, "This is to protect their workforce as well as the customers."

Updated guidance for K-12 Alabama schools is now available on the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) website. These updates reflect the most up-to-date recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which are based on the best scientific understanding of how COVID-19 infects and spreads among students and educators.  The newly revised toolkit, “Back to School Guidance 2021-2022,” may be viewed at https://www.alabamapublichealth.gov/covid19/assets/cov-school-guidance-073021.pdf In a letter addressed to school officials, State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris writes about how incredibly difficult the past 18 months have been for teachers, administrators, school staff [...]

At the July 19 meeting, the Foley council voted to enter into an agreement with ALDOT (Alabama Department of Transportation) to make improvements to the Foley Beach Express. Planned improvements include shoulder widening, super elevation correction and rumble strips. To help with the costs of the improvements, the city has applied for a HSIP grant. The grant requires a 10 percent match from the city of Foley. “We really appreciate ALDOT stepping up with this, they kind of guided us towards it,” said Mayor Ralph Hellmich. “This is going to bring our section [...]