By Kathy Thomson The “Albany Home of the Hereford” sign and three people selected as “Lights of Albany” will all be honored at the Albany Chamber of Commerce’s bi-annual party Friday night, Aug. 23 at the Aztec Theater.

By Kathy Thomson With a significant impact expected in state funding, Albany Independent School District enrollment totals for the beginning of the new school year are now sitting at 525, 39 more than last August and 14 more than at the end of the 2018-2019 school year.

By Kathy Thomson Board members of the Albany Chest will meet to organize the 2019 fundraising drive, nominate and elect new directors, and choose officers for the coming year during a 5:15 p.m. meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 4 at The Feed Store.

By Melinda L. Lucas Proposed budget totals for the Shackelford County Hospital District for 2020 decreased about $50,000 for the upcoming year, primarily due to the fact that $150,000 was included in the current budget for the purchase of a new ambulance, which will be delivered in the near future.

By Melinda L. Lucas During their regular meeting on Monday, Aug. 19, school board trustees learned details about the Albany ISD’s “B” grade in the state’s accountability ratings, and reviewed some of the plans to make improvements during the upcoming year.

ResourceCare’s second annual Carefest fundraiser is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 7 at the Happy Wife Happy Life venue just outside of Albany, and those who want to enjoy some of the special ticket options may be running out of time to purchase their selections.

A monthly country and western musical will continue this month on Saturday, Aug. 24 from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. at the Moran Community Center. Moran singer-songwriter M.L. “Marty” Clifford is coordinating the event, which got underway in May.

By Kathy Thomson The school year is underway and with it comes a daily commute by hundreds of children to and from the local campuses by school bus, car, bicycle, and on foot.

By Kathy Thomson At least three local churches have special events for students scheduled to take place next week, and all of them have invited area youth to join in their activities. Aug. 25 – C of C The Church of Christ’s annual back to school pool party will be held this Sunday, Aug.

By Kathy Thomson Friendship Baptist Church has a fun back to school event planned next Wednesday evening from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., and parents and their elementary aged children are invited to come to the Back to School Bash, enjoy food and fun, and get signed up for Friendship Tribe.