🌱 Boat Fire In Mobile + C251: Citizens Academy Applications Open

Hello all. It's me, Miranda Fraraccio, your host of the Daily. Keep reading for everything you need to know about what's happening these days in town.

But first, today's weather:

Sunshine and patchy clouds. High: 61 Low: 38.

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Here are the top three stories today in Mobile:

1. On Monday night, the Mobile Fire-Rescue Department battled a boat fire for over an hour. Firefighters were called to the scene at around 6:00 p.m. for a report of “a marine vessel on fire in dry docks.” When officials arrived at Blakeley Boatworks, they found a vacant 110 by 35-foot, three-level vessel in flames. A second alarm response was required by Incident Command to help fight the fire. No injuries were reported, and the fire is being investigated. (WKRG News 5)
2. The City of Mobile is now accepting applications for the C251: Citizens Academy. The six-week program, established in 2021, offers Mobilians a chance to learn more about city government directly from team leaders. The application period for the third cohort opened on Monday with a deadline of Feb. 24. Sessions will be held weekly beginning on Mar. 8. Thirty spots are available; register here. (Press Release Desk)
3. New reports from the National Realtors Association show 2022 was a slow year for home sales in Mobile and Baldwin Counties. According to Realtor Sam Winter of Sam Winter and Co. Real Estate, 2022 saw 1,000 fewer home sales in Mobile and Baldwin Counties compared to 2021. Winter attributes the decrease to inflation. However, Winter predicts 2023 will bring trends similar to pre-pandemic times. “We’re going back to the markets going back to more of a normal pace,” said Winter. “We’re in 2018-2019, which was still a good real estate market. It’s just a slower pace.” (WKRG News 5)

Today in Mobile:

• Wonderful Wednesday Storytime At Theodore Oaks (9:00 AM)
• Jason Isbell And The 400 Unit At Saenger Theatre Mobile (8:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Austal is looking to hire 1,200 people and will host a job fair soon. On Monday, Commission President Connie Hudson joined Austal USA President Rusty Murdaugh, Mayor Stimpson, Mobile Chamber President Byrne, and employees to encourage local participation in Austal USA's Job Fair on Saturday, Jan. 28, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. (Mobile County, Alabama via Facebook)
• Mobile County shared some tips for disposing of liquid paint: Liquid paint can be disposed of by placing cat litter or sand inside the can to absorb the liquid. Once the liquid is absorbed, place it in household garbage. (Mobile County, Alabama via Facebook)
• Are you in the market for a new home? These houses have recently been listed for sale in the Mobile area! (Mobile Patch)
• On Tuesday, Mobile City Council approved a 100-year lease for an office building at the Civic Center site. (Fox 10 News)

Thanks for following along and staying informed!

— Miranda Fraraccio

About me: Miranda Fraraccio is a staff writer for content creation agency Lightning Media Partners. She is a graduate of the University of Rhode Island, where she earned degrees in Writing & Rhetoric and Communication Studies. In her free time, you can find her traveling, drinking tea, or practicing film photography.