By Melinda L. Lucas

Four members of the Shackelford County Hospital Board met long enough in open session to appoint a new director and take care of some routine business before closing the doors to discuss “board member conduct” for over an hour on Monday, Jan. 23.

Kraymer Harbold, who has been an Albany resident for several years, was appointed to fill a vacancy on the board on a motion by Jason Price, seconded by Mary Beth Jones.

“We almost didn’t have a quorum tonight, and I think it’s important to get someone in this vacant position,” said Price.

By Sam Waller

The 2023 Shackelford Youth and Livestock Show benefitted from good weather and potentially record-setting sales as it concluded Saturday, Jan. 21 with a premium sale for show participants,.

The show, which was dedicated to the memory of former participant Boone Askew, featured 245 animal projects exhibited by 147 Shackelford County 4-Hers and FFA students from Moran and Albany. The numbers were higher than last year’s 236 projects and 130 exhibitors.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Pick-up dates for the February distribution of the commodity food program will be Thursday, Feb. 2 and Friday, Feb. 3.

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, Feb. 2.

Albany families who have been certified as eligible for the February food distribution program may pick up their food on Friday, Feb. 3, from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. at the rear door of the JP office.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Taxes assessed during 2021 are officially due next week, on Tuesday, Jan. 31.

Payments made in person at 132 Hill St. will be accepted through the end of that work day, as will mailed payments postmarked no later than Jan. 31, 2023.

Online payments at www.shackelfordcad.com can be made any time before midnight on Jan. 31.

Anything in the drop box by the start of business of Wednesday, Feb. 1 will not be considered delinquent.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Tickets are now on sale to members for the 85th anniversary performances of the Ft. Griffin Fandangle set for June 16 and 17, and June 23 and 24.

The membership drive for this year has already started, with eight levels of contributions available for patrons.

The Fandangle is the Oldest Outdoor Musical in Texas, involving as many as 300 cast and crew members each summer for the four performances at the Prairie Theater.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The annual meeting of the Albany Chamber of Commerce is scheduled for the Friday, Feb. 3 luncheon at the Icehouse restaurant starting at 12:00 noon.

Chamber directors whose terms have expired will be up for re-election, followed by the election of officers for the next year.

Board members whose terms are expiring this year include Ramby Anderson, Clayton Snyder, Jacob Cleveland and Chris Beard. Cleveland said that he will not seek another term, while the other three have agreed to continue to serve.

Board members served three-year terms.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Filing opened last Wednesday, Jan. 18 for the local May 6 elections, with several incumbents already signing up.

Three current Albany ISD trustees have already filed, including Robert Montgomery for Place 1, Ginny Ivy for Place 2, and Bo Brown, who was recently appointed to the unexpired Place 3 seat.

At Albany City Hall, mayor Susan Montgomery and council members Lynsi Musselman and Don Taggart will be on the ballot.

At press time on Tuesday, there were no filings for the other four entities.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Three brothers from one Albany family who each served in World War II have been recently memorialized with a plaque on the Memorial Wall at the Nimitz Museum in Fredericksburg.

The trio of Dillingham brothers – Benny (Bud), Bill, and J. Lee (Toby) – each served in the war, and all returned home at its conclusion.

The plaque was arranged by Toby’s daughters, Brenda Pratt of Breckenridge and Cathy Seith of Friendswood, and placed at the museum in December.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Most of the dialogue at Mondy morning’s meeting of the Shackelford County commissioners involved the need to update, replace, and add to the camera system at the Law Enforcement Center in order to meet state requirements.

Sheriff Ed Miller addressed three different issues, including a statute that now requires cameras in the juvenile interview room, as well as replacing the unit in the room where DWIs are processed.

Less of a priority, he said, is replacing the 86 analog cameras that make up the system at the door controls and cell check.

By Melinda L. Luca

A blood drive is scheduled to take place in Albany next Friday, Feb. 3.

Regular donors are asked to note that the dates are changing in 2023 from Thursdays to Fridays.

Scheduled for roughly eight-week intervals, this year’s blood drives are planned on Feb. 3, April 14, June 9, Aug. 4, Sept. 29, and Nov. 28.

Hendrick Regional Blood Center will park at First Baptist Church from 1:00 until 6:00 p.m.