By Melinda L. Lucas

With only a few seats left, singer-songwriter Paul Cauthen is set to take the stage at the Aztec Theater this Saturday night in a return visit to kick off Albany Live’s 2023 concert series.

Tickets for the concert, which starts at 8:00 p.m. in downtown Albany, are $75 for general admission seats. To check on ticket availability, go to www.albanylive.org

By Melinda L. Lucas

Shackelford County law enforcement officers recovered a large amount of stolen oilfield equipment last week off Highway 6 near Moran, according to information from sheriff Ed Miller.

“On Jan. 3, we executed a search warrant at a property located on FM 2408 as a result of ongoing investigations into oilfield thefts occurring in Shackelford, Stephens, and Young counties,” said Miller. “A number of stolen items were recovered as a result of the search warrant.”

By Donnie A. Lucas

Some Shackelford county residents could receive jury summons in the near future and are urged to provide the proper notification if they are unable to attend.

Notices have already been sent out for petit jury service on Jan. 17, with other notices to be sent soon for a special trial planned for February, as well as call for a Grand Jury.

By Donnie A. Lucas

After a year of receiving funds and securing bids, major progress is being made to improve the facilities at the Fort Griffin Fandangle’s Prairie Theater.

Currently, the entire seating area for the audience, which was a series of terraces dug into a hillside to provide tiered seating, has been torn out and new limestone block terracing installed.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The Albany High School auditorium is undergoing a bit of updating, with a new maple floor installed on the stage.

“There has been water damage, especially around the edges, that have been repaired in the past,” superintendent Jonathan Scott said. “The patching had started to become a tripping hazard in places, so it was time to replace it.”

Scott said that the school district was notified about a grant through Shackelford County for $12,500 that was earmarked specifically for fine arts.

Mary Marie Woolaver Cotton, 92, passed away Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023, in Abilene, Texas.

Marie was born January 24, 1930, to Thomas Sim and Nora Stamford Weir in Hamilton. She was the youngest of five children. Marie received her education at Hamilton Schools, subsequently completing formal education through home course work. During World War II, Marie moved with her parents to Fort Worth.

On Dec. 7, 1946, Marie married Jacob Vernon (Jay) Woolaver, her husband of 53 years. They had three children: Sandra Kay, Donna Sue, and Joseph Randal (Randy).

By Sam Waller

Moran ISD begins its spring semester Monday, Jan. 9 with a staff-development day before resuming classes Tuesday, Jan. 10.

In order to stay on its four-day week schedule, Moran will hold classes on Friday, Jan. 13. It is the only Friday class day scheduled for the spring semester.

The new semester also sees the start of the fourth six-week grading period. The period ends Thursday, Feb. 16.

Spring break is scheduled for the week of March 13-17. The final day of classes is Thursday, May 25, with graduation on Friday, May 26.

By Sam Waller

Moran’s Connor Hail added to his list of postseason honors last week when he was named an honorable mention selection on the Texas Six-Man Coaches Association All-State football team for Class 1A Division II as a punter.

Earlier last month, Hail was named first-team punter on the All-Region IV Division II team. He also earned first-team honors at running back and punter on the All-District 14-1A Division II team.

By Sam Waller

The Moran Bulldog and Lady Bulldog basketball teams get one last chance to prepare for District 13-1A play after both struggled through winless appearances at the Gordon tournament, played Tuesday-Wednesday, Dec. 27-28 over the holiday break.

Moran stepped up in class Tuesday, Jan. 3 when they visited Class 2A Olney for their final nondistrict games. Results will be reported next week.

By Sam Waller

Shackelford County hunters can still bag a buck during Texas’ special late white-tailed deer season.

The special late season  as well as a youth-only late season runs through Sunday, Jan. 15.

“The special late season allows for the harvest of antlerless or a deer that has at least one unbranched antler, basically a spike on one side,” game warden Jacob Mort said. “The youth season allows youth (16 and younger) to continue with normal harvest.”