By Melinda L. Lucas

Shackelford County commissioners proposed a tax rate and heard a presentation about building a data center adjacent to the Lone Star Wind Farm during their meeting on Monday, Aug. 28.

A workshop at the end of the regular session gave elected officials some time to refine the $4,955,169 budget that was proposed and filed after an Aug. 14 session, as required by law.

Adjustments can be made before the budget is adopted, but no action was taken Monday to change the total.

Tax Rate Proposal

By Donnie A. Lucas

A record crowd of music festival fans were on hand last Saturday for the fifth annual CareFest benefiting the ResourceCare centers serving six area communities.

The event was hosted at Happy Wife, Happy Life Event Center located about four miles west of Albany.

“It was definitely our best year yet,” co-organizer Mindy Ary said. “We don’t have an official number yet, but between 1,300 and 1,400 people attended.”

By Sam Waller

Despite excessive heat this summer, dove numbers are up across the state as the start of the hunting season approaches.

The downside is the local population is not as robust as other areas.

“We’ve had quite a few birds in the area,” game warden Jacob Mort said. “Unfortunately, in the last couple of weeks, a lot of them have pushed out. By far across the state, our dove numbers are way up, but that’s not going to help us here.”

By Sam Waller

The Albany Volunteer Fire Department will hold its second annual Burgers and Birds fundraiser from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 2 at the fire station on Railroad Street.

There is no set price, but donations will be accepted with a suggested price of $10. Meals include fresh-cooked burgers, chips, a drink, and a cookie.

Chief Joel Viertel said funds will go toward helping cover expenses incurred by the department.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Pick-up dates for the September distribution of the commodity food program will be Thursday, Aug. 31 and Friday, Sept. 1.

On Thursday, Aug. 31, 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.

Certified eligible Albany families for the September food distribution program can pick up their commodity food on Friday Sept. 1 at the back door of the Justice of the Peace office from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m.

By Sam Waller

In a little over a week, the 37th annual First Impressions Invitational Pig Sale will offer approximately 125 to 140 animals to be auctioned to FFA and 4-H members for  agriculture projects.

The longest-running livestock sale in the U.S., which benefits Shackelford County youth who participate in the county stock show, is scheduled for Saturday-Sunday, Sept. 9-10.

At 1:00 p.m. Friday, Sept. 8, a ribbon cutting will be held to reopen the renovated show barn.

By Sam Waller

Shackelford County 4-H gets started on the new year with a kickoff party Monday, Sept. 4.

The event is scheduled for 5:00-7:00 p.m. at Webb Park.

Pizza and drinks will be provided along with a variety of activities for the whole family.

“There’s no need to bring anything; just come and bring the whole family,” Shackelford County extension agent Kelsey Bell said. “We’ll have a water slide for the kids. Parents can ask me questions, several of our adult volunteers will be there, and everyone can find out what they need to know about 4-H.”

By Sam Waller

Local residents still have nearly a week to register for the Albany Chamber of Commerce’s community-wide garage sale, but Chamber manager Brandi Lehew encouraged anyone planning to participate not to wait until the last minute to sign up.

Lehew said she’s had as many or more people indicate they will register as have already done so.

“We’re short of what we were at the end last year,”she said, “but I’ve had enough people say they need to get in here that I think we’ll be about the same as last year.”

By Donnie A. Lucas

Members of the community are again being sought to serve as mentors to local students at Nancy Smith Elementary School during the new school year.

The goal of the program is to increase confidence and self-esteem, along with helping students make positive choices through one-on-one support, friendship and fun, according to school officials.

Tuba players (l-r) Lathin Brownlee, Marcus Valfre, and Joe Angel Alcaraz help get the crowd going during a close Lion season opener against Lubbock Trinity Christian last Friday. The award winning Ragin’ Red Band will make its marching debut at this week’s home game against Dublin, performing a portion of the 2023 contest show.