The Shackelford County Commissioners Court met Monday, June 23, addressing a range of routine matters and approving several action items, including the 2025–2026 employee health plan and the removal of bee colonies from a county facility. Due to ongoing air conditioning problems at the Shackelford County Courthouse, the meeting was held at First Christian Church.
“When Jesus stepped out of the boat onto the land, he was met by a man from the city who had demons…when he saw Jesus, he screamed, fell down before him and said with a loud voice, ‘What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, do not torment me.’” (From Luke 8:27-28)
Sonja Brake
Sonja Elizabeth Lewis Brake, 59 of Albany, Texas, passed away on June 20, 2025. She was born on August 11, 1965, in Arlington, Texas, to Tryon Temple Lewis and Patricia Maurine Keesee. Sonja was baptized at Wilmeth Baptist Church and was a member of First Baptist Church in Clyde, Texas.
Bobbie Cox
Bobbie LaNell Cox, age 77, of Albany, Texas, passed away Sunday, June 22, 2025, at Hendrick Hospice Care in Abilene, Texas. A memorial service will be held Thursday, June 26, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at the Albany Cemetery pavilion.
Moran ISD will welcome a new principal and counselor for the 2025–26 school year.
Ryan McElroy, formerly of Hondo ISD, has been named principal. His wife, Destaney McElroy, will serve as the new school counselor and will also teach some classes. Additional details will be shared once the couple arrives on campus.
As Independence Day approaches, Shackelford County officials are reminding residents to take extra precautions when using fireworks – especially inside city limits and along county roads, where they remain strictly prohibited.
While the spring of 2025 has been notably wet, conditions can shift quickly in Texas weather.
Shackelford County Judge John Viertel said that although the Keetch-Byram Drought Index, maintained by the Texas A&M Forest Service, still shows the county in a safe condition, there are always reasons for concern.
There will be no issue of The Albany News next week, as the paper pauses publication for its annual July 4th break.
The paper publishes 50 issues per year, taking planned breaks for Independence Day and Christmas. Publication will resume with the July 10 edition.
The Albany News office will also be closed for the holiday week, from Sunday, June 30 through Friday, July 4. Regular office hours will resume on Monday, July 7.
For immediate assistance during the closure, text (325) 238-6128 or email news@thealbanynews.net.
The 87th anniversary season of the Fort Griffin Fandangle will open this weekend, with performances scheduled for Friday and Saturday, June 20–21, and continuing the following weekend on June 27–28 at the Prairie Theater.
Gates open each evening at 7:00 p.m. The main production begins at 8:30 p.m. Parking and concessions will be available on-site, and the ticket office at the theater opens at 7:15 p.m. on show nights.
The Care Lunker Classic was held Saturday morning, June 14, at Hubbard Creek Reservoir and brought in a strong turnout for both the competition and the weigh-in ceremony. A total of 49 teams participated in the tournament, which proved to be one of the summer’s biggest events so far.
The event was the brainchild of Jason Harlow and Goodnight Steakhouse and Saloon, who helped organize and promote the tournament in support of a good cause.
The Fort Griffin Fandangle Parade will take place this Saturday, June 22, beginning at 5:00 p.m. and making two passes through downtown Albany. The annual event coincides with the second night of performances at the Prairie Theater.
This year’s parade marshals are Donnie and Melinda Lucas, longtime owners and publishers of The Albany News. The couple recently stepped down after decades at the helm of the local newspaper.
