By Donnie A. Lucas
Just over 100 county voters showed up in person last week to vote early in the upcoming Texas primary elections, which is about 100 fewer than two years ago during the 2020 primaries.
Election Day is next Tuesday, March 1, but voters from all precincts can still vote early at the Shackelford County Courthouse in either the Democratic or Republican primaries through this Friday, Feb. 25.
By Melinda L. Lucas
Friends of the Old Jail Art Center will finally get to celebrate the museum’s 40th anniversary this Saturday with a long-awaited party under the big tent.
The OJAC’s Ruby Jubilee was originally scheduled in the spring of 2020 but the pandemic forced a two-year wait for patrons of Albany’s “Jewel of the Prairie.”
Betsy Senter, who is chairing the celebration’s planning committee, promised “fun raffles, a signature drink called a red slipper, and dueling pianos for entertainment.”
By Donnie A. Lucas
Only two of the six local entities located within the county will hold elections on May 7, with the other four entities cancelling elections because there were no contested races.
The filing period for each of the local races ended Friday, Feb. 18, with only the Shackelford County Hospital Board and the Fort Griffin SUD Board drawing more candidates than terms expiring this year.
By Donnie A. Lucas
The number of positive COVID-19 cases tested locally held steady over the last week, with 13 positives results from the 44 tests administered.
The three local testing sites reported a combined total of 14 positive test results from the 33 tests administered during the week of Feb. 7-11.
According to the weekly report issued by county judge Bob Skelton, the hospitalized cases in Trauma Service Area D, which includes Abilene and Brownwood hospitals, dropped significantly from 73 to 44 patients at the time of the report on Monday.
By Sam Waller
The Rock Hill School building in southwest Shackelford County will continue as the polling site for Precinct 4 after the county obtained title to the property in January.
Ownership of the one-room, wooden structure – which dates back to at least 1920 – was somewhat murky following multiple school consolidations in the area. Rock Hill was absorbed by Hamby, which later consolidated with Clyde.
By Melinda L. Lucas
One-year contract extensions were approved for principals Glen Hill at Albany Junior/Senior High School and John Gallagher at Nancy Smith Elementary School, along with similar offers for district business manager Angelyn Faith and director of student services Leigh Lowe, following a closed session at the end of Monday’s regular school board meeting.
Seven percent raises for all four are contingent on the 2022-2023 budget.
By Melinda L. Lucas
Pick-up dates for the March distribution of the commodity food program will be Thursday, March 3 and Friday, March 4.
Certified eligible families in Moran should pick up their monthly commodity food at the Moran City Hall between 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, March 3.
Albany families who have been certified as eligible for the February food distribution program may pick up their food on Friday, March 4, from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. at the rear door of the JP office.
By Donnie A. Lucas
A total of 10 members of the high school band earned Division I ratings and medals at the solo and ensemble contest held last Saturday in Abilene.
A group of 12 students completed, with 10 earning the highest rating for a medal. The other two members received Division II ratings, still considered excellent based on the five-point system.
Students played solos ranging from Class 1 to Class 3, based on the level of difficulty.
By Sam Waller
Several Albany students are scheduled to participate in an academic practice meet Saturday, Feb. 26, at Stamford.
“Any of the kids who are available to go and get some practice time in, we’ll take them,” Albany UIL coordinator Rick Davis said. “For some of the events, we’re trying to figure out who’s on the team. This will help us make our decisions.”
Davis said as many as 20 students will be available to participate.
By Sam Waller
Prairieland Quilters of Albany recently presented members of the Shackelford County 4-H sewing group with sewing kits in addition to passing along some of their knowledge.
The two groups met together Sunday, Feb. 13 at Shackelford County Library where the 4-Hers were instructed in embroidery as well as receiving boxes containing items such as needles, thread, tape measures, and scissors.
