County had about 30 days of awareness, compared to 306 days in southern counties

Shackelford County commissioners moved quickly last week to oppose a proposed high-voltage transmission line that could cross portions of the county, adopting a formal resolution during a specially called meeting on Friday after local landowners Mark Moon and Robert Montgomery warned commissioners at the March 9 regular meeting that they are entering the regulatory process months later than other affected areas.

Albany received much-needed rainfall overnight and early Saturday morning, March 7, with some areas reporting up to four inches of rain.

The steady rainfall brought relief to dry pastures and fields across the area after several months of limited precipitation. The system also brought noticeably cooler temperatures, a change from the warmer-than-usual conditions that had lingered through the end of winter.

On the morning of March 10, 2026, a coordinated law enforcement operation led by Shackelford County Sheriff’s Office Corporal Jason Price was carried out in Moran, Texas, to execute a search warrant and an arrest warrant related to an investigation involving multiple burglaries in which firearms had been stolen.

Albany ISD trustees received a detailed update Monday night, March 9, on the district’s efforts to implement the state’s Teacher Incentive Allotment program, a system that could significantly increase pay for highly effective teachers while allowing them to remain in the classroom.

Leigh Lowe presented the report, explaining that the Teacher Incentive Allotment, commonly known as TIA, is a state program that provides additional funding to school districts when teachers earn performance-based designations.

The Albany Lions opened their baseball season at home over the weekend, hosting the annual Albany Baseball Tournament and finishing with a 2-1 record.

Albany picked up wins over Eastland and Brady before falling to Early in the final game of the tournament. Head coach David Fairchild said the Lions showed plenty of positives Thursday and Friday as the team begins the new season.

“We had an overall good tournament,” Fairchild said.

Lions defeat

Eastland

Five Albany Lady Lions earned District 10-2A basketball honors following the 2025-2026 season, and head coach Ashlyn Bevel was named the district’s Coach of the Year.

Junior Zayne Lefevre and freshman Keeley Britting were selected to the District 10-2A first team. Named to the second team were senior Madi Parrott, junior Ashlyn Miller and freshman Tinley Hefner.

Violet Adell Schkade peacefully entered the presence of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on Friday, March 6, 2026, at the age of 91. Violet was born on December 20, 1934 in Albany, Texas, to Alvin and Louise Schkade. A devoted Christian, Violet was a lifelong member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Albany and truly lived as a servant of the Lord. She deeply loved her church and dedicated countless hours to cooking for the congregation, cleaning the church, and helping anyone who was sick or in need.

Vernon Clarel McDaniel, born July 4, 1936 in Tribbey, Oklahoma to parents, Vernon Eugene Cline and Bella Albany Garretson Cline. Years later when Vernon was a small child, his mother and Joseph Bailey McDaniel, the man who raised Vernon, moved the family to Shawnee, Oklahoma. Vernon passed away in a VA home in Big Spring, Texas on Monday, March 9, 2026 at the age of 89 years, 9 months and 5 days.

Later, knowing that all was now completed (tele), and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled (teleio), Jesus said, “I am thirsty” ... When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished (tele).” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. -John 19:28, 30 (NIV)

These three words completed, fulfilled, finished, all derive from the same Greek root, telos, which means; end, completed, finished, accomplished, cancelled.

Architect Jeff Garnett, who moved to Albany with his family in August 2025, recently earned two honors at the 2025 American Institute of Architects Fort Worth Design Awards. Garnett received a Design Award of Merit for the Elk Edge Retreat and a Studio Award for a concept project known as the Animal Sanctuary.