By Melinda L. Lucas
A car chase that began in Albany ended on the other side of Stephens County’s One-Mile Bridge with the arrest of a 36-year-old woman on Saturday afternoon.
Just after 1:00 p.m. on June 27, the Shackelford County sheriff’s office started receiving calls from local drivers about a reckless driver on Main Street.
Reportedly, before being stopped by local deputy Jason Price, the driver of the car narrowly missed two other vehicles.
The City of Albany will test the emergency warning siren at 12:00 noon on Wednesday, July 8, as it does the second Wednesday of every month, depending on the weather.
The tests keep citizens familiar with the three warning sounds, and they are also used to make sure that the siren, computer, software, and radios are working correctly.
The siren should sound one of the three emergency tones at noon on that day, but the siren is not tested if the weather is questionable, according to local fire chief Kyle Tischler.
SEVERE WEATHER
WARNING
By Donnie A. Lucas
Albany secondary students and staff will have a new leader when the school year starts, with the hiring of new principal Glen Hill approved by the school board last month.
Hill began working in the office on Monday, June 15 and will keep regular office hours, 7:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. on Mondays through Thursdays during the month of July.
The new principal is currently commuting from Knox City where he served as principal the past two years, but he has plans to move his family to Albany within the next week.
By Lynsi Musselman
Many Albany families are looking forward to getting their child’s education back on track, and they are ready for the upcoming school year.
The first day of classes in Albany is planned for Wednesday, Aug. 19.
Albany Independent School District director of student services Leigh Lowe said the registration for 2020-2021 is in a holding pattern waiting on Texas Education Agency and Region 14.
Each school district in Texas is required to report to TEA, and the original June 18 deadline was extended due to COVID-19.
By Lynsi Musselman
There will be no Chamber of Commerce lunch this Friday, July 3 in observance of Independence Day weekend.
Chamber manager Mary Beth Jones said the Chamber lunches will begin again at the Icehouse on Friday, July10 at 12:00 noon.
“The Chamber is waiting on more rulings from Governor Abbott, but we plan to vote at the July 10 lunch to see how everyone feels about meeting for lunch the next week,” Jones said.
By Donnie A. Lucas
The shortened seasons for Albany Little League major teams came to an end this week, with the Raiders winning the league title.
Play continues for both the intermediate league and junior league through July 22.
Likewise, games also ended for the minor league teams last week, along with T-ball and coach pitched games the week before.
Official standings were not kept for the minor league teams and younger.
By Donnie A. Lucas
A record amount of donations was raised by Albany High School baseball parents on Monday during the annual “Long Ball” fundraiser to benefit the program.
The event brought in $17,200 for the baseball program, almost double the previous record and over three times the average $5,000.
“That was by far the best fundraiser we have ever had,” said baseball coach David Fairchild. “I never expected they would raise that much, so now we are figuring out to use the money.”
A Community Prayer Service is being planned by members of Albany’s First Christian Church, according to the pastor, Brad McBee.
The special service, which is open to everyone, will be held on Thursday, July 2 at 8:00 p.m. in the FCC sanctuary.
“This will be a short time of prayer to pray for our community, nation, and world in the midst of all that is occurring,” said McBee.
Face masks are encouraged and social distancing will be observed.
By Lynsi Musselman
This summer, Old Jail Art Center children’s programs are going virtual.
OJAC education director Erin Whitmore said that the August camps are usually offered in a one-day workshop format.
“This year, the education department is offering a daily virtual experience to campers,” Whitmore said. “Daily camp videos will post each morning at 10:00 a.m. on our Facebook page, including step-by-step crafts and activities by OJAC educators.”
Administrative assistant Morgan Whitley gathers supplies to match up with teachers’ requisition lists after a recent order was delivered at the school. Although both campuses are pretty quiet, the AISD staff members who are working during the summer months are moving forward with plans for an Aug. 19 start date.
