By Sam Waller

Three Albany entrants placed with their barrows recently at the Houston Livestock Show.

Creed Spencer won division champion with his mediumweight crossbred after placing first in his class. Crew Spencer placed fourth in his class with a heavyweight Poland.

Also, Slayton Parsons placed 10th with his heavyweight Poland.

The students are among nearly two dozen Albany FFA members exhibiting animal projects at two major livestock shows this month.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Following this week off for spring break, twice-a-week cast rehearsals for the Sampler of the Fort Griffin Fandangle will resume starting Monday, March 20 at the Prairie Theater.

“We will practice on Mondays and Thursdays until the Sampler,” director Lorna Ayers said. “There is still time to join us to be in the Sampler cast if you hurry.”

Rehearsals for the next four weeks will be held at the Prairie Theater just west of Albany.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Following this week off for spring break, twice-a-week cast rehearsals for the Sampler of the Fort Griffin Fandangle will resume starting Monday, March 20 at the Prairie Theater.

“We will practice on Mondays and Thursdays until the Sampler,” director Lorna Ayers said. “There is still time to join us to be in the Sampler cast if you hurry.”

Rehearsals for the next four weeks will be held at the Prairie Theater just west of Albany.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The third country artist in as many months will take the stage at the Aztec Theater on Saturday, March 18 as part of the spring concert series sponsored by Albany Live.

As of Tuesday, a total of 140 tickets were still available for the show featuring Sunny Sweeney.

Tickets are $50 for general seating or $75 for reserved seating in the first three rows. As with all Albany Live productions, a $50 VIP experience can be added to the ticket price to meet the artist after the show and enjoy food and drinks in the Aztec community room.

By Melinda L. Lucas

A request by Shackelford County commissioner Cody Jordan to set speed limits on several roads in Precinct 4 resulted in the scheduling of a required public hearing on Monday, March 27.

Jordan asked that posted speed limits of 35 MPH be set for several roads around the rock quarries in the northwestern part of the county, including 163, 177, 201, 202, and 240.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Albany ISD students and staff are out of school this week for the spring break holidays but will all return to the classroom on Monday, March 20.

Classes will resume at normal times on Monday, with the elementary classes starting at 7:55 a.m. and the secondary school following at 8:00 a.m.

Students and staff will be off again for Good Friday, April 7 and the Monday following Easter on April 10.

Both holidays were designated as bad weather days on the school calendar, and three school days were missed in January due to icy weather.

By Melinda L. Lucas

With all five council members present, Albany city officials worked through four major agenda items at this week’s monthly meeting, including approval of a fire department request to purchase a $220,000 truck with donated funds.

A 2023-2024 budget totaling $3,703,700 passed unanimously, prior to the city’s new fiscal year which begins April 1.

Also accepted was the 2021-2022 audit report and an updated capital improvements budget presented by city manager Billy Holson.

“New” AVFD Vehicle

Nadine Vandivere Pilcher, 86, of San Angelo, formerly of De Leon, passed from this world to be with Jesus, March 4, 2023, in Brownwood, Texas.  She was born Sept. 6, 1936, in Anson, Texas to Ernest and Tressie Vandivere. She married William Jack Pilcher on Dec. 4, 1954, in Rising Star, Texas.

Elva Sanders, age 83 of Albany, passed away Sunday, March 12, 2023. Graveside funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, March 18 at the Albany Cemetery with Bob Skelton officiating. Interment will follow under the direction of Morehart Mortuary. Visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Friday, March 17 at Morehart Mortuary of Albany.

Sharon Osborne Matthews passed away peacefully on March 8, 2023, at the age of 84, in Abilene, Texas. Sharon was born in San Angelo, Texas, the only child of G.C. and Iris Dell Osborne Jr. She moved to Abilene as a young child and graduated from Abilene High School in 1956, where she was head cheerleader for the legendary Eagles. She lived in south Texas after college and returned to Abilene in 1972.