The fall semester is off to a fast-paced start for Albany FFA and Shackelford County 4-H members, with livestock entries, tag orders, sales, and validations scheduled almost weekly from now through mid-December.

By Melinda L. LucasThe Shackelford County Hospital District Board formally appointed a new EMS director, approved a “balanced” 2026 budget, and proposed a slight tax rate increase during its regular monthly meeting on Monday, Aug. 18.

I know, that’s a strange headline to see in the middle of August. But for me, this time of year feels much more like the start of something new than January ever does.As a parent with kids in school, the beginning of the school year brings the same sense of starting fresh.

The 7th annual CareFest is set for Saturday, August 16, at the Happy Wife Happy Life Weddings and Events Venue. The festival will be run for the first time this year by Big Country C.A.R.E.S., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, with all proceeds continuing to benefit ResourceCare.

Albany ISD welcomed students back to class Wednesday, August 13, with an opening-day enrollment lower than in recent years.The district ended last school year with 475 students enrolled.

A man scheduled to have his case heard during a docket of trials at the Shackelford County Courthouse last week collapsed from a heart attack while seated in the front row.

By David H. WallerFor the first time in several years, The Albany News will be updating its subscription and advertising prices. The new rates will go into effect with the next issue, Thursday, August 21, 2025.

The State Fire Marshal has determined the cause of the August 4 house fire in Moran to be undetermined.City of Moran Fire Chief Tyler George said investigators found there was not enough evidence left after the blaze to reach a more conclusive finding, and the case is now closed.

The Albany Lions are closing out their second week of practice and will travel to Coleman tomorrow night for their first scrimmage of the season. Head Coach Denney Faith says the matchup will be an important first step in evaluating the team under game conditions.

The Albany Lady Lions volleyball team opened the 2025 regular season with back-to-back sweeps at home Tuesday, defeating Merkel 25-22, 25-23, 25-18 and Aspermont 25-17, 25-21, 25-12.The weekend before, Albany played scrimmages against Benjamin and Breckenridge on August 8, and Woodson on August 9.