News

In the News: Renovations on flooded ballfield coming together

Originally published in the Franklin County Times.

It’s not unusual for members of the City Council to routinely drive by Hal Kirby Jr. Ballpark to see what has been done to the complex that was destroyed by 2015 flooding.

For more than a year, the only thing they saw was an empty field where ballfields used to be — no fencing, no concession stand.

In the News: City approves purchase of police vehicles

Originally published in the Franklin County Times.

In the News: Russellville appoints street superintendent

Originally published in the Franklin County Times. 

At its regularly-scheduled meeting Monday, the Russellville City Council wrapped up a short agenda quickly that included the appointment of a temporary street superintendent and the hiring of two sergeants in the Russellville Police Department.

Mayor David Grissom said street super Roy Price, who has been over the street department for about nine years but has been a city employee for 25, had decided to retire.

In the News: Council tabs Wilson to head street department

Originally published in the Franklin Free Press. 

A number of actions were taken Tuesday night at the Russellville City Council meeting, including the council naming a temporary street superintendent.

Shannon Wilson, an equipment operator, was named the temporary Street Superintendent for the City of Russellville by unanimous approval. Wilson replaces Roy Price who retired as Street Superintendent on January 1, 2017. Price had worked for the street department for over two decades before announcing his retirement.

In the News: $9K grant brings new RPD Tasers

Originally published in the Franklin County Times. 

A $9K grant is going to mean some new equipment for the Russellville Police Department.

At the city’s most recent council meeting, council members approved the submission of the grant, which came through the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs. According to RPD Chief Chris Hargett, the ADECA grant will enable the replacement of some of the RPD’s Tasers.

In the News: Russellville Park and Rec sees continued growth

Originally published in the Franklin Free Press. 

For Russellville Parks and Recreation Department director Chad Sears, the name of the game is growth.

Since Sears took over the position nearly 11 years ago, he has seen a significant amount of growth in his department, especially in the area of youth sports.

In the News: Renovations coming along at Hal Kirby, Jr. field

Originally published in the Franklin Free Press. 

Hal Kirby Jr. field is one of the more iconic places in Russellville and for many years it was alive with the sounds of children playing and adults applauding and cheering.

Unfortunately, in the summer of 2015, a flood washed away the field and damaged or destroyed most of the park. After that, the playful sounds that once surrounded the ballpark were absent.

In the News: Council signs approves resolution for Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Originally published in the Franklin County Times. 

The Russellville City Council’s first meeting of the year was a record-quick event, with a short agenda wrapped up in a matter of minutes.

The council took the opportunity to give recognition to the upcoming Martin Luther King Jr. Day, approving a resolution lauding King and his accomplishments. Mayor Pro Tem Gary Cummings, who led the meeting in Mayor David Grissom’s absence, also shared the schedule for MLK Day activities in the City of Russellville, Jan. 16.

In the News: Spend $22 on Dec. 22

Originally published in the Franklin County Times. 

In the city of Russellville, people are encouraged to finish their holiday gift-buying by shopping local. To urge the community to support Russellville businesses, Mayor David Grissom made a proclamation calling shoppers to spend $22 Thursday for “Spend $22 in Russellville Day,” with the dollar amount selected to coordinate memorably with the day of the month.

In the News: Council approves new pay plan for city employees

Originally published in the Franklin Free Press. 

After a recommendation from the Russellville Civil Service Board, the Russellville City Council approved a proposed pay plan for city employees that resulted from a study by Auburn University.

The study was completed earlier this year by Auburn’s Government & Economic Development Institute and will likely result in across-the-board pay raises for city employees.