By Melinda L. Lucas

Senior commissioner Steve Riley conducted the Shackelford County commissioners meeting Oct. 12 in the absence of county judge Robert Skelton, who is attending a conference this week.

The burn ban, which had been temporarily lifted because of rain on Sept. 30, was reactivated during the meeting.

Also, the commissioners revisited the nomination of two persons to the Appraisal District’s board of directors, officially making and seconding a motion to nominate Lanham Martin and Cody Jordan, splitting the county’s votes between the two.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Problems with dumping and disposing of  trash at Neighbors in Need were part of the discussion on a short agenda at the Albany City Council’s regular monthly meeting on Monday, Oct. 11.

Lori Reames outlined the problems that the volunteers have been having with local residents leaving items such as mattresses and broken furniture that are useless to the ministry. They have to be hauled off, and the city container is not open on Saturdays when most people seem to leave the “trash,” Reames said.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Early voting for the Nov. 2 amendment election begins in Texas and Shackelford County, on Monday, Oct. 18 with the eight propositions ranging from not allowing the state to prohibit or limit religious services to one permitting charitable raffles at rodeo venues.

Shackelford County Clerk Cheri Hawkins said in-person early voting will be held on the first floor of the Courthouse through Friday, Oct. 29. 

By Sam Waller

The Albany Parent-Teacher Organization is seeking volunteers to work at Fall Fest later this month on Saturday, Oct. 30.

The event is scheduled for 5:00-8:00 p.m. at Nancy Smith Elementary School.

“If anybody would like to volunteer to help work a 30-minute shift, the PTO would be extremely grateful,” PTO president Malarie Sutton said. “Cleanup is hopefully going to start around 7:30 p.m.”

To volunteer or for more information about the event, contact Sutton at 325-762-6368.

There will be some changes to this year’s event, Sutton said.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Join friends and fellow Albany Lion fans in the parking lot of the Old Jail Art Center Friday, Oct. 15, from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. for the annual taco tailgate party. 

“Meet outside the museum at 5:00 p.m. for tacos and tunes before the Albany home game,” said OJAC membership and development coordinator Susan Montgomery. “Bring the whole family to have a great time. Activities will include a piñata and fun crafts for the kids!”

By Sam Waller

The Albany Mainstreet Players annual Murder Mystery Dinner is scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 19 at the Beehive Saloon.

The theme for the AMP fundraiser is “A Beverly Hillbilly Wedding Rehearsal.” Attendees are encouraged to dress to the nines for the bride or in overalls and flip-flops for the groom.

Cali Ayers Rose came up with the idea for the event.

AMP representative Lorna Ayers said the evening is designed to encourage audience participation.

By Sam Waller

Fort Griffin State Historic Site drew a larger than expected crowd last Friday for the School Day portion of its Living History Days.

Assistant site manager Eric Abercrombie said about 650 school children attended Friday’s program with teachers and parents adding to the crowd.

“I think we exceeded expectations on Friday,” Abercrombie said. “We had the 600 we were anticipating, plus quite a few more than that. A lot of home-school families and a couple of private schools came that we didn’t have on our list.”

By Donnie A. Lucas

The annual Albany Chest campaign is off and running, with directors setting a 2021 goal of $46,000. 

Twenty-six different organizations submitted requests for this year’s funding, all of which were considered by the board during a meeting held on Wednesday, Oct. 7. 

“The goal of the Albany Chest is to enhance the lives of local citizens with the funding that is given to us,” said board president Jana Kitchens. “We do our best to place the money where it will benefit the most individuals across the broadest range of our population.”

By Donnie A. Lucas

Local testing facilities reported 19 positive cases of ­COVID-19 for the week of Oct. 4-8, just one more than the prior week.

According to an update from county judge Bob Skelton, the positive cases were reported by the Shackelford County Health Clinic (SCHC), Resource Care Community Health Center, and the Shackelford County EMS Station. The number of tests administered was not released, but positive results totalled 19 for the week.

SCHC was open on Monday during the Columbus Day holiday, reporting four tests with two positive results.

John Morrow, age 62 of Throckmorton, passed away Thursday, Oct. 7, 2021. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 14 at Happy Wife Happy Life Events Venue with Pastor Paul Johnston. Burial will follow in the Albany Cemetery under the direction of Morehart Mortuary. Visitation was planned from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 13 at Happy Wife Happy Life Events Venue.

John Horton Morrow was born June 13, 1959 in Abilene, Texas to Wayne Morrow and Frances Free Morrow. John worked for WTU and later for AT&T for over 20 years until he retired.