By Melinda L. Lucas
The filing period for local elections opened Wednesday for several entities such as the school board, city council, and hospital board and will continue until Friday, Feb. 17.
The election date set by the state for all local elections is Saturday, May 6.
Candidates have the 30-day filing period to sign up for a spot on one of the local boards or councils.
By Sam Waller
The Albany Volunteer Fire Department selected Lt. Casey Kimbrough as its 2022 Firefighter of the Year last month at its annual Christmas party.
“The department appreciates Casey’s service, and we’re proud that he received the award this year,” Albany VFD Chief Travis Gardenhire said.
The annual award is voted on by department members to honor an individual whom they believe has best met the five following qualifications:
The firefighter must not be on probation.
By Melinda L. Lucas
At the end of Monday night’s meeting, following the routine closed-session evaluation of AISD superintendent Jonathan Scott, a unanimous motion among the four board members present extended Scott’s contract by one more year to January 2026.
A salary increase was included in the motion for an undisclosed percentage, contingent upon the 2023-2024 budget.
The action came at the end of a 3-1/2 hour closed session, with the meeting adjourning a few minutes later.
By Donnie A. Lucas
Albany resident Brandi Lehew has been named as the new manager of the Albany Chamber of Commerce, starting the position this week with regular office hours.
While directors have yet to set the exact time the office will be open, Lehew said that she will be at the Depot on Tuesday through Friday.
“I’m very excited about the opportunity,” Lehew said. “We just love Albany, and everyone has been so welcoming since we moved here.”
By Sam Waller
Approximately 150 Shackelford County youth will exhibit around 250 animals this weekend at the Shackelford Youth and Livestock Show.
This year’s show runs Thursday, Jan. 19 (today), through Saturday, Jan. 21. The show is the largest extracurricular activity for Shackelford County youth with more than 100 students from Albany FFA, another 20 from Moran FFA and more than 30 members of Shackelford County 4-H entered.
By Sam Waller
Moran Independent School District began its spring semester Tuesday, Jan. 10, with 117 students for all grades.
The enrollment figure has increased by more than 20 students since the first day of class back in August.
“There’s comfort knowing people are happy in the success they’re seeing in their children, and they’re referring other people, newcomers to the area, to us,” Moran principal Jo Hise said.
Class Schedule
By Sam Waller
The Moran Lady Bulldogs’ first basketball outings of 2023 resulted in a pair of lopsided road losses last week, including their district opener.
The Lady Bulldogs returned to action Tuesday, Jan. 10 when they hosted Rising Star for their first district home game. Results will be reported next week.
Moran visits May on Friday, Jan. 13 as part of a doubleheader that will include the boys district opener.
By Sam Waller
Registration for Albany’s Little Dribblers youth basketball program is wrapping up this week.
Organizer Joe Tidwell requests that registration forms and fees be returned by Friday, Jan. 13 if possible with a final deadline of Monday, Jan. 16.
Forms are available at Nancy Smith Elementary School. Registration fee is $30 per player.
The program is open to boys and girls age 8 through fourth grade. Second graders must turn 8 by Feb. 28 to be eligible.
By Sam Waller
The Albany Junior High Cubs and Lady Cubs resume their seasons following the Christmas break this week with the girls teams hosting a tournament in addition to their regular games.
On Thursday, Jan. 12 (tonight), Albany takes on Cisco with the boys at home and the Lady Cubs on the road.
Boys games will start at 5:30 p.m. with the combo team, followed by seventh grade at 6:15 p.m. and eighth grade at 7:00 p.m.
The girls White team will start at 5:30 p.m. with the Red team at 6:30 p.m.
By Sam Waller
Albany’s Parker Henry made his first foray into strongman competition a successful one, winning his weight class in the Big Country Showdown.
The event was held Saturday, Dec. 17 in Abilene, hosted by Riley Rodriguez of Heathen Training.
Henry won the 220- pound class, competing in events such as Atlas Stone, Viking Press, Truck Pull, Wagon Wheel Deadlift, and Hercules Grip.
And he won despite being bumped up a weight class.
