Funds raised to improve Fandangle

By Donnie A. Lucas

The Fort Griffin Fandangle Association has raised about half the funds needed for major repairs at the Prairie Theater, as well as improving sets, costumes, and the calliope, through a capital improvement drive that started in December.

While in the midst of the annual membership drive, the organization is also seeking additional funds for major improvements that do not include money donated through regular memberships or the sale of tickets.

Albany News

2 Albany Stars to be named tonight

By Donnie A. Lucas

Two Albany residents will be honored tonight at the biennial Albany Stars event set to start at 6:30 p.m. at the Aztec Theater.

There is no charge to attend the event, which will include hors d’oeurvres and water in the meeting room and on the patio after the awards are presented.

“Everyone is welcome to attend,” said Chamber manager Mary Beth Jones. “You don’t have to be a Chamber member to come help us celebrate our Albany Stars.”

The Chamber accepted nominations from the public, with a committee looking through the suggestions.

Cleaning option to be reviewed

By Melinda L. Lucas

Courthouse cleaning options during the ongoing medical leave for county employee Sherry Garvin was the main focus of Monday’s meeting of the Shackelford County elected officials, but no action was taken and a special meeting set March 7 to continue looking at solutions.

Garvin has been ill for several months, and Courthouse employees have been trying to keep up with basic cleaning. Commissioners are also concerned that the wooden blinds are due for “oiling,” along with several other projects that can’t be performed by office workers.

Albany News

AISD forced to ‘make up minutes’

By Melinda L. Lucas

Albany ISD students and staff will make up a deficit in classroom minutes by eliminating three early release days at the end of the spring semester, according to an announcement by AISD superintendent Jonathan Scott on Monday.

Scott said that members of the District Improvement Committee met Friday, Feb. 24 and were presented with a couple of different options on how to make up “minutes” lost when last week’s winter storm caused classes to be cancelled on Wednesday and Thursday.

Albany News

Viertel takes county judge’s post

By Melinda L. Lucas

By the end of Tuesday’s primaries, about 24 percent of Shackelford County’s 2,261 registered voters elected a new county judge to take over next January, and followed most statewide trends in other elections.

John M. Viertel finished with 290 votes to Raleigh Breeden’s 214 to win the Republican candidacy for county judge. He will be unopposed on the November general election ballot.