By Melinda L. Lucas

After spending the night in southern Shackelford County at the Moran School, about 30 bike riders came through Albany  last Wednesday morning, Sept. 20, representing the Texas Brotherhood Ride.

They were escorted along Hwy. 6 by county deputies, and they stopped briefly at the Courthouse, where they were met by other local first responders.

The Texas Brotherhood Ride, which is made up only of first responders, started their seven-day 550-mile ride on Sept. 18 in Maxwell, south of Austin, finishing the trip in Amarillo.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Downtown Albany will be looking like fall is in the air on Saturday even if the thermometer doesn’t agree, thanks to the efforts of the Albany Chamber of Commerce and local volunteers.

Chamber manager Brandi Lehew reported that she and several volunteers, including two school organizations, have been working on fall decorations this week.

By Melinda L. Lucas

The main reason for a mid-week meeting of the Shackelford County Hospital Board was to adopt the budget and tax rate, but directors ended up with several other big items on the Sept. 20 agenda, including the resignation of a board member, appointment of two directors, and raises for clinic staff.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Shackelford County elected officials worked through a fairly routine agenda in short order on Monday, Sept. 25, with another session set for Friday, Sept. 29 to open bids and award contracts for fuel and mowing.

After reading a letter from District 10 Representative Brian Harrison recommending such action, county commissioners unanimously opted to follow the City of Odessa’s lead and work on a resolution to ban governmental COVID vaccination mandates, instead leaving vaccination to “personal choice.”

Sue Breeden, for the fifth year in a row, brought home a blue ribbon from the West Texas Fair’s creative arts division with her bead work. This year’s theme was taken from the cover of Night Flying Woman: An Ojibway Narrative (Native Voices) by Ignatia Broker. Breeden also entered a pair of first place mukluks made by a friend in Alaska, and a third place quilt pieced by her mother.

By Sam Waller

Shackelford County judge John Viertel and Albany mayor Susan Montgomery attended the dedication of an America 250 Patriot Marker on Wednesday, Sept. 13 on the grounds of the Stephens County Courthouse in Breckenridge.

The marker commemorates the 250th anniversary (semiquincentennial) of U.S. independence. The 30-inch-by-30-inch marker was placed by the Lee’s Legion Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution with three state DAR officers attending.

The Lee’s Legion Chapter includes members from Shackelford County.

By Donnie A. Lucas

This Friday is the deadline for organizations that plan to apply for 2024 funding from the Albany Chest.

Applications need to be finished and submitted by 5:00 p.m. on Sept. 29.

Board vice chair Melinda Lucas said Monday that a few applications had been received, but the board is expecting around two dozen, and she emphasized that all organizations wishing to receive an allocation from the Albany Chest must submit a written request by the deadline.

By Melinda L. Lucas

The annual membership meeting of the Fort Griffin Fandangle Association is set for Tuesday, Oct. 10 beginning at 5:30 p.m.

Instead of being at the Fandangle office in the Depot, the meeting will again be held at the Studebaker building (Musselman office), located at 324 South 2nd St. on the north side of the Courthouse Square, so there will be more room.

Discussion and a motion to hold the Fandangle in 2024 are expected, along with the filling of four seats on the board and the election of officers for the coming year.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The Albany FFA chapter has elected officers for the 2023-2024 school year and has already started working on a number of community projects.

“We have installed officers already, and the kids have been busy working on projects to help out around town,” Albany FFA sponsor Chris Beard said. “We have cut and helped bundle cane at the Chamber office for them to use to decorate with for fall.”

By Donnie A. Lucas

Donations of canned and non-perishable food items are currently being collected by students at both the elementary and the secondary schools as part of a competition that will benefit the local food bank.

ResourceCare is hosting the 4th annual food drive contest for the Albany and Cross Plains locations, with a Chick-Fil-A lunch on the line for the winning class in both towns.

The contest will continue through Monday, Oct. 9, with students competing by grade level at both schools.