By Alison James

alison.james@fct.wpengine.com

The Russellville City Council Monday night honored the 8U All Star softball team for being the champions of the ARPA state tournament and the USSSA state tournament. The council approved a resolution and presented a copy to each athlete and coach, as proud parents shot photos and video if the special moment.

Councilman David Palmer highlighted the girls’ achievement, particularly how they lost their first game of the USSSA double elimination tournament before coming back to win nine games in a row – a feat that, perhaps, has never before been done in the state of Alabama.

The council also heard from Darlene Hester, who expressed her concerns about dogs running at large in the city. She said loose dogs have killed her Jack Russell Terrier, four years ago, and now her cat, on Labor Day. “I will never have another pet,” she said. Hester said that she is fearful of walking outside – even to her mailbox – because of the threat of a loose dog. She urged the council to implement and enforce a leash law.

Council members expressed their sympathy for her personal situation and agreed to “get the ball rolling and see where it leads,” Palmer said, on a leash law for the city. “I think what it deserves at the very least is some debate and deliberation.”

Hester pointed many of her remarks toward her council representative, William Nale. “I’m on board with having a leash law,” he said. “I wish everybody else felt the same way.”

Councilman Jamie Harris also encouraged Hester to review the city’s vicious dog law, which might be applicable for her.