Shackelford County sheriff Ed Miller explained details of several issues on the commissioners court agenda Monday morning, with county attorney Colton Johnson giving an opinion on one of the matters.

Miller stated that the sheriff’s office has the authority to declare a vehicle as exempt from bearing official markings, but Johnson does not share that belief.

“It remains my position that without putting Shackelford County markings on the vehicle, use of that vehicle would be in violation if the commissioners court does not grant an exemption,” said Johnson.

Local students showed up to splash their way into a fun time Monday evening, June 25 at The Feed Store’s Water Wars, dousing each other with water guns, hoses, water balloons, and even full buckets and coolers.

On Saturday, June 30, high school and junior high students are invited back to the youth center for a “Fandangle After Party.”

“We will start right after Fandangle ends on Saturday, and just hang out until midnight,” said youth minister Ashlee Herron. “We will have snacks and drinks, and the opportunity to play basketball, ping-pong, foosball, and board games.”

Locals should not be surprised if they hear a large group of youngsters speaking a foreign language in Albany this week, because Stasney’s Cook Ranch is hosting 34 to 40 children for a week-long family retreat arranged by the Midland-based China Aid Association.

ChinaAid is an international non-profit Christian human rights organization committed to promoting religious freedom and the rule of law in China.

Emalyn “Sam” Gillispie, age 89 of Albany, passed away Monday, June 25, 2018. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, June 29 at Friendship Baptist Church with Brian Cope officiating. Visitation is Thursday, June 28 from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m at Morehart Mortuary in Albany. Following the funeral service, Mrs. Gillispie will be cremated and her family will spread her ashes at Fort Griffin at a later date.

Betty Jo Bounds Rogers was born on April 10, 1940 in Stamford, Texas to Willard and Mary Jo Bounds. She left this world surrounded by her sister, her daughter, and son-in-law on May 19, 2018 at her home in Strong City, Kansas.

Betty lived in Albany until she graduated and married Marvin Rogers June 8, 1957. They set up a home in Lipan, Texas, raising two children. 

Betty moved back to Albany and assisted her mother in her sewing business. After the passing of her mother, Betty moved to Kansas to be close to her daughter and grandchildren. 

GEORGE MARK

George Mark, age 51 of Moran, passed away Monday, June 18, 2018. Graveside funeral services were held Friday, June 22 in the Moran Cemetery. Interment followed, directed by Morehart Mortuary.

George Henry Mark was born Dec. 24, 1966 in Dansville, New York to parents, John Anthony Mark and Cyrilla Sailer Mark. He graduated from Moran High School in 1985, and then joined the Army Reserves. He enjoyed cooking.

Albany’s three all-star teams picked up victories with the start of bracket games over the weekend in the District 5 tournament.

Both the 12U and 10U earned a pair of bracket wins over the weekend and were scheduled to host a double header on Tuesday.

The 11U team members played their first bracket game on Monday, advancing to the second round of the double elimination tournament on Tuesday against Wylie.

Teams that won on Tuesday were scheduled to play again on Thursday, while a loss on Tuesday would result in a Wednesday game for the next round.

Local junior high and high school students are continuing to take advantage of morning strength and conditioning training at the high school.

The supervised training sessions will be available for three more weeks at 7:00 a.m. on Monday through Thursday, ending Thursday, July 19.

Students have the opportunity to keep in shape over the summer through a variety of weight training, conditioning, and agility drills.

The sessions are open to both males and females regardless of which sports they plan to participate in during the next school year.

By Kathy Thomson

Local emergency responders say any holiday cele-brations involving fireworks need to include safety and common sense, especially considering all of the grass fires that volunteers fought last weekend.

“Use lots of caution,” said Shackelford County Rural Fire Department chief Brad Henry. “With the current conditions, grass is burning well. The firefighters would like to be able to enjoy the fourth with their families, and not have to work battling fires because of someone else’s mistakes.”

Shackelford County extension agent Michaela Bradford said that large numbers of mesquite cutworms have been seen recently. 

“It is time to spray for mesquite cutworms in shade trees,” she said.

The cutworms are typically pruning leaves off of mesquite trees in this area in mid to late July, but seem to be out a little earlier this year.

“The mesquite cutworm is actually a caterpillar that turns into a plain colored moth after it runs its cycle,” said Bradford. “The eggs are laid by the moth and the hatched caterpillars feed on mesquite foliage.”