By Sam Waller

Albany FFA teams claimed two Big Country District titles, a pair of top-five area finishes, and two top-25 area finishes recently at contests in Lubbock and Stephenville.

On Saturday, April 23, the plant ID team of Koy Cauble, Will LeMay, Laithe Leech, and Lute Wheeler competed at Texas Tech University. The team placed first at the district level, fourth in Area 4 and 24th in the state.

By Sam Waller

Shackelford County extension agent Kelsey Bell has two continuing education programs scheduled over the next two weeks.

On Wednesday, May 11, a private applicator pesticide license training course will be offered. The program will start at 8:30 a.m. at Shackelford County Courthouse.

On Tuesday, May 17, a brush control field day will be held at the Stasney Ranch.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Pick-up dates for the May distribution of the commodity food program will be Thursday, May 5 and Friday, May 6.

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, May 5.

Albany families who are eligible for the May food distribution program may pick up their food on Friday, May 6, from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. at the rear door of the JP office.

Members of the Albany Chamber of Commerce and other guests gather for a ceremonial ribbon cutting for the Green Gypsy Mobile Bar, one of the newest Chamber members. The event took place at the recent membership crawfish boil.

By Donnie A. Lucas

For the fourth week in a row, no new cases of COVID-19 were recorded at the three Albany testing sites last week, with the last positive case reported a month ago.

A total of just three tests were administered during the week of April 25-29, which is one test fewer than the previous week.

There were two hospitalized cases in Trauma Service Area D which includes Abilene and Brownwood hospitals, the same as the number of hospitalized cases the prior week.

By Melinda L. Lucas

With the school year winding down, summer is about to kick off, and ResourceCare is opening up registration for Day Camp 2022 to be held July 11-22.

ResourceCare programs assistant Ragan Riley said registration for the annual program will be held next week on Tuesday and Wednesday, May 10-11 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and then from 4:00-6:00 p.m. at the Albany Youth Center.

“All campers must be registered during these two days,” said Riley. “We will not be able to sign up children for the program after May 11.”

By Donnie A. Lucas

Shackelford County voters will have the chance to vote on two proposed amendments to the Texas constitution both dealing with property tax exemptions, along with deciding the fate of a slate of seven candidates for four seats on the Shackelford County Hospital Board.

All precincts will vote at the courthouse on Saturday, May 7 from 7:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m.

Voters are reminded to bring a government photo identification card in order to voter, along with their voter registration card.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Albany High School is sending two senior students to Austin this week to compete in the UIL Academic Meet at the University of Texas.

Sarah Cotter took second in editorial writing at the Region II Meet on April 22 to advance. She will be joined by Susie Cormack, who was third in news writing at the regional level.

The top three places from each of the four regions qualify for state. The top six of the 12 competitors in each category will receive a state medal.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Rehearsals for the 2022 version of the Fort Griffin Fandangle have begun in earnest with a full slate of practices scheduled on each Sunday through Thursday during the month of May.

The first general rehearsal was held Tuesday, with many of the parts assigned for both singing and acting roles. However, director Lorna Ayers stressed that everyone who wants to participate in the show should make all future rehearsals if possible.

Alice Ruth (Wylie) Walker, born and raised in Albany, Texas, passed away in Belton, Texas, on Sunday, March 20, 2022, at the age of 87. Her husband of 65 years, Prosper Walker, born and raised in neighboring Moran, Texas, followed her to glory on Tuesday, April 26, 2022, at the age of 90.

Prop and Alice met at a swimming pool in Albany, Texas, where Alice was serving as a lifeguard. Prop recalls hitting her with a tennis ball, and it was love at first sight. They were married on Sept. 22, 1956, at Matthews Presbyterian Church in Albany, Texas.