With rain expected to continue through the end of the week and possibly re-enter the picture again as soon as next Wednesday, the Albany area is already far above the October rainfall average of 2.99”, with 7.28” recorded as of press time on Wednesday morning.

The year-to-date total is 29.44 with more than two months to go, compared with an annual average of 28.36”.

In Albany, there has been 12.60” of rainfall since Sept. 1, while unofficial reports from other parts of the county are as high as 18” for the same period.

Albany High School seniors Cutter Edgar and Madison Wilkins were crowned 2018 Homecoming King and Queen during halftime ceremonies last Friday night during the Lions’ 48-12 win over the visiting Baird Bears before a large homecoming crowd.

Wilkins and Edgar were presented as part of a field of eight senior class candidates, four boys and four girls. 

The two were chosen by the entire student body by secret ballot last week after each class at Albany High School had nominated a senior boy and girl for the honor. 

Early voting for the Nov. 6 general election starts next Monday, Oct. 22, and continues through Nov. 2.

Early in-person voting will be held on the first floor of the Shackelford County Courthouse Monday through Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon and 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., according to election clerk Cheri Hawkins. 

Two directors were re-elected to another term, three new board members put in place, and plans made for the 2019 show during the annual membership meeting of the Fort Griffin Fandangle Association held Monday night, Oct. 15.

A new part-time marketing director was also named during the meeting.

Meeting Details

Longtime director Winifred Waller, now retired, made the traditional motion by proxy to perform a show in 2019, which will be the 81st anniversary for the outdoor musical.

Albany ISD trustees continue to work their way through the list of applicants for the post of AISD superintendent with another special meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 10 and a closed session at the end of the regular business meeting on Monday, Oct. 15.

No action or discussion about the candidates has been held in open forum, but the board is starting the interview process this week and is expected to announce a lone finalist by the end of November.

More than 50 Albany ex-students from as far back as seven decades attended the homecoming business meeting last Saturday morning at the Aztec Theater, representing classes from the 1940s to the 1990s.

Also present for the first part of the meeting was Ryan Hill, Class of 2019, who led in the Pledge of Allegiance

Association chair Betsy Senter greeted those present, and recognized the honor classes of 1967 and 1968.

The annual Albany Chest campaign is underway, with directors setting a goal of $42,000 for the 2018 campaign. 

Twenty-six different organizations, including two new applicants, submitted requests for this year’s funding, all of which were considered by the board.

Local residents are reminded that everyone is not expected to give large amounts. 

Guests at a Murder Mystery hosted by Albany Mainstreet Playhouse on Tuesday solved a who-done-it while enjoying dinner and drinks at the Aztec, and as of press time, tickets were still available for tonight’s all new interactive mystery.

Tickets are $50 each, and can be purchased by calling Ragan Riley at 214-663-3271.

“We need to have time to get the food ready,” said Riley, “so we need to have the tickets purchased at least three hours before the event starts.”

With the induction of 16 new members, the AHS National Honor Society now includes (front, l-r) Jaleigh Morales, Addison Asher, Alayna Koemel, Julia Bowman, (2nd row) Tyler Beard, Taylor Scott, Max Balliew, Conner Clark, Seth Hale, (3rd row) Ivie Zuniga, Aubrey Moon, Ben West, Brayden Sullivan, (back) Alyssa Zuniga, Cutter Edgar, Haley Stewart, Jillian Guinn, Caroline Masters, Madison Wilkins, Blaine Kayga, and (not pictured) Gracie LeMay.

Albany residents will soon be seeing red as the annual Red Ribbon anti-drug campaign kicks off next Monday morning.

The annual “Red Ribbon Campaign” has been officially set for Oct. 22-26 at the Albany school district. 

This is the 30th straight year that the event, which is designed to draw as much attention as possible to the problems of drug and alcohol abuse and its prevention, has been conducted locally. 

The national theme for 2018 is “Life Is Your Journey, Travel Drug Free.”