By Kathy Thomson

The Albany Independent School District and the Shackelford County hospital district will both hold elections on May 2, as will the Moran city council. 

The other three local governing bodies – Albany city council, Moran school board, and Fort Griffin SUD board, do not have any contested races and are expected to cancel their elections. 

Fourteen new candidates joined various local races before last week’s Friday cut-off.

Archie Jean Elkin Buchanan, age 95, of Carlsbad, NM went into the arms of Jesus on Feb. 8, 2020 at Abilene Regional Hospital. She was born Aug. 31, 1924, in Tonkawa, OK to Albert Buller and Auttie Belle Wade (Buller). 

As a small child they moved around Texas and Oklahoma during the dust bowl for work. During that time, they added three more daughters to their family and finally settled in Coyle, OK where Archie Jean graduated high school with honors in 1942. She then went on to graduate from Oklahoma University with a degree in social work.

Barbara Palmore, age 80 of Albany, passed away Monday, Feb. 17, 2020. 

Graveside funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 22 at the Albany Cemetery with Rev. Paul Johnston officiating. Interment will follow under the direction of Morehart Mortuary. Visitation will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., Friday, Feb. 21 at Morehart Mortuary.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Albany city manager Billy Holson proposed a balanced budget of $2,936,850 at Monday’s regular meeting of the city council, and elected officials expect to approve the budget at a March 9 session following the required public hearing.

Carolyn Waller presided over the meeting in the absence of mayor pro tem Susan Montgomery, who was ill.

Budget Proposal

By Melinda L. Lucas

Courthouse security was the main topic of discussion during Monday morning’s meeting of the Shackelford County commissioners and other elected officials.

Precinct 1 commissioner Steve Riley, in light of a recent alleged threat at the local elementary school campus, suggested that elected officials consider taking security steps to protect county employees at the Courthouse.

“It’s a shame we even have to be talking about this, but in this day and time, we have to be cautious,” said Riley.

By Kathy Thomson

A winter storm moved through the area last week, dropping temperatures, cold rain, sleet, and snow.

On Monday, Feb. 3, the high was 73 degrees, while thermometers struggled to reach 37 degrees just one day later. 

Both Albany and Moran school officials cancelled Wednesday classes even before students were released on Tuesday afternoon due to the forecasts of dangerous driving conditions before morning.

By Kathy Thomson

With only one day left to file for local offices, as of press time on Tuesday, there was still a shortage of candidates for several of the local boards.

The only person to file for an office since press time last week is Shackelford County Hospital Board incumbent Chris Beard.

Already on the slate of candidates is mayor pro tem Susan Montgomery for Albany mayor, along with newcomer Ragan Riley and incumbents Lester Galbreath and James Waters for Albany city council positions.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Two directors were re-elected to the Albany Chamber of Commerce board at the organization’s annual membership meeting on  Friday, Feb. 7, at Ft. Griffin Gen. Mdse. restaurant., and one new board member was selected.

Officers for the upcoming year were chosen on the same day.

New to the board is Robin Balliew, who will fill Randall Palmore’s final year.

Ramby Anderson and Clayton Snyder were both elected to serve another three-year term, according to Chamber manager Mary Beth Jones. 

By Kathy Thomson

Several Shackelford County youth, parents, and advisors are in the middle of one of the busiest times of the stock show season, with Fort Worth, San Angelo, San Antonio, Houston, and Austin all underway over the next few weeks.

Thirteen local students showed barrows and steers at the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo last week, and among the local winners was Slayton Parsons, who took reserve champion light weight cross barrow with his pig, and Kenzie Neve who placed fifth in her class of Shorthorn steers.

By Melinda L. Lucas

The first Winter Encampment at Fort Griffin State Historic Site is being hosted this Saturday, Feb. 15 by members of the park’s Living History Association.

The event is scheduled from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m., and the public is invited to come and learn more about life on the Texas frontier.

Also planned that day is the final trout fishing day of the winter from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., with a staff member on hand to provide asistance.