By Donnie A. LucasGeneral admission tickets are still available for the CareFest concert set for Aug. 26 featuring headliners Pat Green and Kevin Fowler, along with five other popular artists.

By Melinda L. LucaA blood drive is scheduled to take place in Albany next Thursday, Aug. 17.Hendrick Regional Blood Center will park its bloodmobile at First Baptist Church at the usual time from 1:00 until 6:00 p.m.

By Sam WallerLocal youth kept busy over the summer exhibiting livestock projects at a variety of prospect shows, bringing home some big prizes.Kenzie Neve had the busiest summer, taking steers to five events.

By Melinda L. LucasThis year’s state sales tax holiday is set for Friday, Aug. 11 through Sunday, Aug. 13.The law exempts sales tax on qualified items – such as clothing, footwear, school supplies, and backpacks – priced below $100, saving shoppers about eight dollars on every $100 they spend.

Bios of new staff members, along with faculty assignments and school supply lists, are included in the special back-to-school section in this week’s issue.

By Melinda L. LucasThe Old Jail Art Center’s summer camps are wrapping up with the two-day puppet workshop earlier this week on Tuesday and Wednesday, followed by an “Under the Sea” experience on Friday, Aug. 11.

By Donnie A. LucasJust over 70 percent of expected Albany ISD students were registered for the new school year as of Monday, and officials are urging parents to complete the process online or by calling for an appointment at either campus to complete registration.

By Donnie A. LucasCertified taxable values for each taxing entity in Shackelford County were announced recently, with an overall increase slowing to 3.2 percent for the county compared to almost eight percent last year.The total taxable value for the county increased by about $19.

By Donnie A. LucasAlbany ISD teachers and support staff will start the school year on Wednesday, Aug. 9 with staff meetings and training.Both elementary and secondary teachers and staff will meet at 8:00 a.m. at the Feed Store for breakfast, followed by a “Welcome Back” message from 8:30 a.m.

By Donnie A. LucasMeet the Teacher will be held at both Nancy Smith Elementary and the junior/senior high campus on Tuesday, Aug. 15.Students entering K-6 will be able to find out their teachers for the coming school year from 5:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m.