Man dies after train strike in Bay Minette, Alabama

A man is dead after being struck by a train in Bay Minette, Alabama, according to Bay Minette Police Chief James Rosier. The incident occurred this morning on West Railroad near Graham Drive. Police are still working the scene and investigating the circumstances of the pedestrian strike.

Escambia County Schools Closed Monday for Hurricane Recovery Assessment

Escambia County Public Schools will keep all campuses and offices closed Monday, October 12, as district personnel continue evaluating storm damage to facilities across the system. The closure extends what was already scheduled as a student holiday, allowing maintenance and administrative staff to focus on recovery and damage assessment efforts following recent hurricane activity in the area.

The district has not yet announced when full operations will resume or provided specifics on the extent of damage to individual school buildings. Families are advised to monitor the district's website and social media for further updates on school reopening timelines.

Santa Rosa County to carry forward $27.4M in sales tax for capital projects

Santa Rosa County commissioners have approved carrying forward $27.4 million in local option sales tax revenue into the next fiscal year to keep capital infrastructure projects on schedule, according to reporting from the Citizen Portal News Florida.

The carryover of unspent funds ensures that planned improvements can move forward without interruption as the county enters fiscal year 2027. Local option sales tax — a revenue source approved by voters — is typically dedicated to specific infrastructure needs and capital improvements.

The move reflects the county's commitment to maintaining its capital project pipeline while managing fiscal resources responsibly heading into the new budget year.