By Melinda L. Lucas

Albany city manager Billy Holson reviewed his recommended 2022-2023 budget figures with council members at their Monday, Feb. 14 meeting, but no action was taken on the $3.475 million document.

The bottom line is more than the current year’s $3.1M starting budget, but Holson explained salaries for several additional employees are built in the new budget, with hopes of having enough personnel later in the year to complete some street repairs and other capital improvements.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The number of positive COVID-19 cases tested locally dropped to its lowest level in weeks, with 14 positives recorded from the 33 tests administered.

Total positive test results dropped from 22 positive cases the week of Jan. 31 through Feb. 4 on tests administered at the three local testing sites.

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, also dropped to 73 from 98 patients the prior week.

By Sam Waller

Albany’s Gracie Price placed first in her class with her Maine-Anjou heifer at the San Angelo stock show and won senior cattle showmanship exhibiting the same animal.

Price also entered a steer in the show as more than 30 Shackelford County FFA and 4-H members began exhibiting animals at shows in San Angelo and San Antonio.

“The kids did a great job,” Albany FFA advisor Chris Beard said. “This was a busy week. We had folks going back and forth from one show to the other.”

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. 11, at Ft. Griffin Gen. Mdse. Restaurant, held a week later than originally scheduled because of bad weather the previous Friday.

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

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

By Donnie A. Lucas

With no contested races as of Tuesday, residents only have two more days to toss their hats into the local political ring for several local elections to be decided May 7.

Only the Albany ISD trustee election had drawn a full slate of candidates as of Tuesday, with one or more positions still lacking candidates on five of six boards or councils with terms expiring for the election.

Without a contested race thus far, all six boards are looking at the possibility of being able to cancel their elections.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Early voting started on Monday for the March 1 primary elections, with about 24 voters showing up at the Courthouse first floor lobby on the first day alone to mark their ballots.

In-person early voting will continue at the Courthouse through Friday, Feb. 25.

The hours for voting are 8:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. each weekday including Fridays, with the exception of Monday, Feb. 21 when the courthouse will be closed for the national observance of Presidents Day.

By Donnie A. Lucas

After being postponed for a couple of years due to the pandemic, the Old Jail Art Center will finally get to celebrate 40 years of collecting with a gala that will also mark the opening of three new exhibitions for the spring.

The “Jewel of the Prairie” will celebrate its Ruby Jubilee, marking 40 years since opening to the public, with an event postponed from 2020 from 6:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 26.

Tickets for the fundraising gala are still available for $175 per person. Tables for 10 guests are also still available.

On Friday morning, Feb. 4, 2022, Wally passed away at his home in Sheridan, Wyoming with his wife and sole caregiver Louise by his side. He had endured the decline of Parkinson’s for the past eight years.

Wally was born to Frederick Nelson and Johnnie (Hazle) Palm on Dec. 16, 1935 at Stamford Texas and soon returned to the family ranch ten miles southeast of Albany, Texas. He was welcomed by grandmother Valina, Aunt Corinne, and brother Fred.

Carroll Wayne Hogan Sr, age 89 went to his heavenly home Thursday, Feb. 3, 2022. Services were held Wednesday, Feb. 9, followed by graveside service at Murray Cemetery in Carbon, Texas, officiated by Jody Forbus.

By Sam Waller

The Moran Bulldogs are moving south for the next two football seasons following biennial realignment.

Moran was placed in District 14-1A Division II with Paint Rock, Panther Creek, and Rising Star.

The UIL announced alignment Feb. 3 for the next two years for football, volleyball, and basketball.

The new football district has road trips of 83 miles to Panther Creek and 113 miles to Paint Rock.

“Travel is really the only negative,” Bulldogs football coach and athletic director John Hughes said.