By Donnie A. Lucas
The number of positive tests results for COVID-19 dropped again, with just two patients last week.
County judge Bob Skelton reported Tuesday that a total of eight tests were administered for the period of June 6-10, with two positive results.
The prior week, a total of eight tests were given with three positives.
Three weeks ago, a total of nine positive results were tested by one of the two local testing sites.
By Sam Waller
Albany residents volunteered their time, equipment, and manpower Saturday, June 11 for the Albany Chamber of Commerce’s community cleanup day.
“I had a great turnout from my board, and several community people chipped in,” Chamber manager Mary Beth Jones said. “We got a lot done.”
Jones said volunteers were able to complete the list of jobs that needed doing.
“We had a lot of weedeaters and lawn mowers, and Chris Beard had a tractor,” she said. “People were still putting stuff in the dumpsters on Tuesday. Cleanup is continuing.”
By Donnie A. Lucas
Visitors and locals alike will be able to partake of a variety of activities offered in Albany this weekend and next during performance dates for the Fort Griffin Fandangle.
Free events will be offered on all four of those days including a quilt show, tracker organ concert, calliope concert, car museum, viewing the Picket House, longhorns on the Courthouse Square, a film at the Aztec Theater, exhibits and activities at the Old Jail Art Center, plus several others.
Shopping will be available at downtown stores and from vendors at the Bank Park.
By Melinda L. Lucas
Shackelford County commissioners decided to take the next step toward resurfacing of the Courthouse parking lot during a meeting on Monday, June 13, with plans to advertise for bids in the next month.
Lanham Martin and Steve Riley were given authority to check with several local dirt contractors to get an idea of what is needed in order to write the specs for the bid, which will be split – one for dirt work and another for asphalt.
Other Business
By Melinda L. Lucas
Albany council members met briefly on Monday, June 13, approving one regular agenda item to extend the city’s electrical services with Reliant another four years.
Mayor Susan Montgomery related a couple of other issues that had been reported to her since the last meeting, including concerns from citizens about unlicensed minors driving golf carts on city streets.
She said that Police Chief Mike House will give a warning for the first stop, then a ticket to the parents of the juvenile if stopped a second time.
By Donnie A. Lucas
The shrill tones of the calliope and the clanging of the bell on the Texas Central Express will echo down Albany’s Main Street once again on Saturday as part of the annual Fort Griffin Fandangle parade.
The parade will kick toff at 5:00 p.m. with longtime narrator Connie Wood as the Grand Marshal.
Wood has been the female narrator of the show since 1977.
Entries for the parade picked up over the last week, but organizers are still encouraging anyone interested to sign up.
By Donnie A. Lucas
The sound of the bugle call will once again open each performance of the 84th anniversary edition of the Fort Griffin Fandangle on Friday (tomorrow) at 8:30 p.m. at the Prairie Theater.
The year’s version of the show will highlight episodes from the life of local pioneer rancher George T. Reynolds, who with others tamed the Clear Fork of the Brazos area in the second half of the 19th century.
Jimmy Ruff, age 72 of Albany, passed away Monday, June 13, 2022. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m., Thursday, June 16 at First Baptist Church in Albany with Pastor Paul Johnston officiating. Interment will follow in the Albany Cemetery under the direction of Morehart Mortuary.
Jimmy Everett Ruff was born Dec. 27, 1949 in Albany, Texas to parents James Allen Ruff and Betty Jean Israel Ruff. He went to school in Albany and graduated from Albany High School in 1968.
After graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in Germany until his honorable discharge.
Connie Dianne (Fielder) Nail, age 75, of Bells TX formerly of Albany, was born on Feb. 10, 1947 in Odessa, TX to Douglas Harvey Fielder, Sr. and Treby Louise (Childers) Fielder. She passed away on Friday, June 10, 2022 at Texoma Medical Center in Denison, TX surrounded by her loving family.
Connie married Larry Henry Nail on July 16, 1981, in Albany, TX; together they celebrated 40 years of marriage. She was a homemaker, a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, aunt, sister, daughter, and friend.
Donald Brazos Thomson, 38, of Prosper, TX, was called home by God on June 10,2022, after a long fight with Neurofibromatosis Type 2.
