By Lynsi Musselman

The Old Jail Art Center announces two new exhibitions set to open on Saturday, Sept. 12 and run through Jan. 30, 2021.

OJAC executive director Patrick Kelly said the new exhibits will appeal to the interests of a broad audience.

“Basil Clemons’ photographs give historical insight into life in West Texas some 100 years ago,” Kelly explained. “Houston artist Charis Ammon’s paintings are thoughtful and represent much more than just a record of what we encounter in urban areas.”

Basil Clemons Exhibit 

By Lynsi Musselman

Albany resident Amy Kelly, along with Shackelford County officials  announce the Your Vote Matters voter registration and voter participation campaign.

Kelly is the campaign volunteer deputy registrar and hopes to increase voter awareness and participation in Shackelford County.

She explained the campaign really helps people know the when, who, how, why, and where of the local voting process.

By Lynsi Musselman

The Albany Chamber of Commerce annual city-wide garage sale will take place on Saturday, Sept. 12.

Chamber manager Mary Beth Jones said there were 16 sales registered by the end of the day on Tuesday, Sept. 8, the deadline. 

Jones reminds participants that sale signs do not need to be returned this year.

Free maps will be printed and available the day of the sale.

Jones will open the Chamber office from 7:00 to 10:00 a.m. on Sept. 12 to hand out maps.

By Melinda Lucas

A budget of $3,049,455 was proposed for the Shackelford County Hospital District at the end of a special meeting on Friday afternoon, Sept. 4 by the board of directors.

The vote was made on a motion by Chris Beard, seconded by Jo Ann Estridge. 

Some of the biggest jumps came in the areas of back-up pay for ambulance personnel as the board tries to bring wages up to a competitive level and in ambulance equipment as plans are made for the purchase of a cardiac monitor and a new self-lifting stretcher.

By Melinda Lucas

On a split vote, the board of directors for the Shackelford County Appraisal District approved a 2021 budget of $391,745 during an early morning meeting Sept. 8. 

John Tate, Bruce Bailey, and Clint Bumguardner voted in favor, while Lanham Martin and Robert Skelton were against the proposed amount.

By Lynsi Musselman

Albany Junior Senior High principal Glenn Hill has adopted ‘Row the Boat’ as the 2020-2021 school year’s ‘never give up’ mantra.

“This year is a year of uncertainty for everyone,” Hill said. “I wanted to use something with the staff and students to help us face any adversity that may come our way.”

By Lynsi Musselman

Shackelford County 4-H Club is starting a horse program, beginning with monthly clinics, according to Shackelford County extension agent Kloey Painter.

“We plan to have a roping clinic, barrels and poles, goat roping and tying, and a polo horse clinic,” Painter said. “There are plans to host some play days and mini rodeos in Shackelford County.”

Painter said there will be a meeting for anyone interested at Matthews Memorial Presbyterian Church on Thursday, Sept. 10 at 5:30 p.m..

By Lynsi Musselman

Albany agriculture students started the show season with the first weekend of the West Texas Fair and Rodeo in Abilene.

Market lamb shows and the first cattle judging took place on Friday and Saturday, Sept. 4-5 for Albany participants.

Pepper Martin showed in the junior lamb shows A & B, and Bryce Asher showed in junior lamb show B.

Gracie Price placed third in the open Angus heifer show on Friday and placed fourth in the junior Angus heifer show on Saturday.

By Lynsi Musselman

Friendship Baptist Church will be hosting its  annual three-day revival event this Sunday, Sept. 13 at 10:55 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., on Monday, Sept. 14 at 6:00 p.m., and on Tuesday, Sept. 15 at 6:00 p.m.

Mary Lee Vinson of Hawley will lead the music, and pastor Kerry Pack from Andrews will be the speaker for all four services of the Homegrown Revival.

Pack is a traveling pastor previously of Cross bar Cowboy Church in Andrews. He is a 1996 graduate of Albany High School.

By Lynsi Musselman

This weekend, on Sunday, Sept. 13 at 1:00 p.m., the Shackelford County Youth & Livestock Association members will host the 34th Annual First Impressions Invitational Pig Sale at the county show barn.

Organizers are expecting 16 consignors from four states to bring 100 pigs for the competition and sale.

Local 4-H and FFA members and their families started working two weeks ago to insure that the facilities are clean and ready for the annual pig sale.