🌱 Blakely and Darby Case Updates + 2022 Wacky Quacky Ducky Derby

Good morning, everybody. It's Saturday in Huntsville and I'm back in your inbox with everything that's fit to print about what's happening in our community, including updates on...

• Ben Darby lawsuit update
• Former Limestone County Sheriff Mike Blakely's appeal denied
• 2022 Wacky Quacky Ducky Derby

But first, your daily weather:

• Saturday: Mostly sunny. High: 78 Low: 50.
• Sunday: Sunshine and patchy clouds. High: 77 Low: 52.

Here are the top stories in Huntsville today:

1. The City of Huntsville’s request to be removed as a defendant in the Darby lawsuit has been denied by a judge. According to the court, despite the city’s claims that the family’s attorney Doug Martinson failed to establish a “plausible municipal liability claim,” the judge decided that Martinson had at least plausibly established that the City of Huntsville’s policy regarding the “use of force” gave Ben Darby permission to use force in a way that was unconstitutional. (WHNT News 19)
2. Former Limestone County Sheriff Mike Blakely’s appeal of his guilty verdict was denied, and the decision of the court was upheld. His request for a trial was also denied, with the judge confirming there was sufficient evidence for the jury to have found him guilty. (AL.com)
3. The 2022 Wacky Quacky Ducky Derby is set for October 8th! It will be held at Big Spring Memorial Park in Athens. You can adopt a duck for $5 or six ducks for $25 and compete for the $2000 grand prize! The money raised by the event will go to the organization Keep Athens-Limestone Beautiful and their programs. (WZDX)
4. Continuum of Care for the Homeless, a nonprofit in the area, has started their annual winter weather supply drive. They are accepting donations at several locations for things like blankets, thermals, coats and jackets. The donated items should be new or gently used adult sized pieces. (WHNT News 19)

Today and tomorrow in Huntsville:

Saturday, October 1

• Madison Street Festival (9:00 AM)
• Huntsville South Annual Cruis'in (9:00 AM)
• Huntsville Comic Con (11:00 AM)

Sunday, October 2

• Rocket City Friends & Family 5K - Downtown Huntsville, Inc. (8:00 AM)
• "Clue" Auditions - Theatre Huntsville (3:00 PM)

If you have an event, feel free to visit our website and add it to the Huntsville Calendar! It is completely free and easy to do. Unfortunately with the volume of requests I get, I cannot manually add them all to the Daily myself, but this is a way to ensure your event makes it in the newsletter.

From my notebook:

• The Greater Huntsville Humane Society announced the winner of their 2022 Pet Photo Contest! Congrats to the winning pup, Tudi! (Details)
• The Huntsville/Madison County Chamber has released the list of contenders for their Small Business Awards! The gala will be November 1. (Details)

Alrighty, you're all good for today. I'll be in your inbox next week with your next update!

— Amy Young

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Huntsville Daily? Contact me at huntsville@patch.com