By Sam Waller

A group of about 35 youth and adult volunteers began the new year with the Albany Youth Ministry Winter Ski Trip and Christian Adventure.

The Jan. 2-6 trip to Crested Butte, Colorado, included three days of skiing as well as morning and evening activities.

“I’m super impressed with our kids from Albany and their desire to know more about Jesus and the Bible and how to implement that in their daily lives,” said Matthews Memorial Presbyterian youth minister Becky Wills, who oversaw this year’s trip.

By Donnie A. Lucas

An Albany junior will travel to Big Spring on Friday to prepare for the All-Region Band Concert on Saturday.

Ashley Sanchez earned a seat on the All-Region Band during tryouts held in December at Midland Greenwood High School. She placed 23rd chair out of 68 clarinet entries, earning 14th chair in the Symphonic All-Region Band, which is the second of three bands.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Albany students and staff were back in the classroom this week after a longer than usual Christmas break and will be off two days next week.

The next scheduled school holiday is set for Monday, Jan. 16 for Martin Luther King Day, followed by another day away from school on Friday, Jan. 20 for the local stock show.

Staff members will have “comp” days for both days, meaning they do not have to show up if they completed the required number of workshop days last summer.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Even though the $47,000 Albany Chest goal has still not been reached, board members plan to meet in the next two weeks to distribute funding to 25 different organizations.

As of Tuesday, Jan. 10, a total of $41,482 had been contributed to the 2022 campaign, which started in October.

“We will accept donations up to and even after our meeting,” said board president Jana Kitchens. “We are hopeful that we will be able to give all these applicants the funding that they need to operate.”

By Sam Waller

Two Albany FFA students are readying ag mechanics projects for entry in contests at the Fort Worth and San Angelo stock shows in the coming weeks.

Junior Ayden Balliew has constructed a high rack for hunting, while sophomore Jacob Hale built a deer blind on a trailer.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual business meeting at noon Friday, Feb. 3 at the Beehive.

Chamber officer Lisa Barton said board elections will be held in addition to discussing other business.

“We’re not sure yet if all the directors are willing to stay on or if some will retire,” Barton said.

Board members serve overlapping three-year terms. Once the board election by the general Chamber membership is completed, the directors will meet to elect officers.

By Melinda L. Lucas

A quorum of Albany city council members met with mayor Susan Montgomery in a very short regular meeting on Monday night, Jan. 9, taking care of a couple of routine agenda items in less than 15 minutes.

Albany chief of police Mike House reviewed the annual facial profiling report, which was in compliance with state standards.

The report is required to be submitted every year.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Shackelford County commissioners gave the go-ahead for installation of fiber-optic cabling to the Courthouse and Shackelford County Law Enforcement Center during a meeting on Monday morning, Jan. 9.

The session was conducted by new county judge John Viertel, whose four-year term began Jan. 1, 2023.

County officials had discussed a proposal from FiberLight at previous meetings, but there had been no action taken until this week.

By Melinda L. Lucas

With the filing period for local elections opening next Wednesday, Jan. 18 and those elections coming up on May 6, county clerk Cheri Hawkins reminds local voters that they can apply for an “annual ballot” for 2023 if they are eligible.

The only voters eligible to apply for annual ballots are those 65 and older or with disabilities.

By Melinda L. Lucas

As is typical, property tax payments at the Shackelford County Appraisal District accelerated just before the end of the year and have continued to come in steadily, according to chief appraiser Clayton Snyder.