Readers of The Albany News saw the lengthy 23-page legal notice published in last week’s February 26 edition outlining Oncor’s proposal to construct a new 765-kilovolt transmission line stretching across Central and West Texas.

While the notice includes Shackelford County among the areas studied, the regulatory process requires Oncor to submit a geographically diverse set of potential routes for consideration by the Public Utility Commission of Texas. Shackelford County is included among the full list of proposed routes submitted to the commission.

Albany’s well-known “Home of the Hereford” sign was knocked down early Saturday morning after a vehicle struck the structure, according to local authorities.

The crash occurred in the early morning hours, with Texas Department of Public Safety troopers responding to the scene.

A driver, identified through Shackelford County Jail records as Robert Wayne Leisher, was arrested at the scene on a charge of driving while intoxicated. Officials indicated the intoxication was believed to involve a substance other than alcohol.

In the only contested local race, Shackelford County Judge John Viertel was reelected with 396 votes, or 60.64%, to challenger Raleigh Breeden’s 257 votes (39.36%) in Tuesday’s Republican Primary election. Viertel will begin his second term in January 2027.

County voters turned out in modest numbers for Tuesday’s midterm primaries. Of the county’s 2,445 registered voters, 721 (29.5%) cast ballots – 669 on the Republican side and 52 on the Democratic ballot – with well over half of those cast during the early voting period.

Routine maintenance work on the U.S. Highway 180 bridge over Hubbard Creek Reservoir began Wednesday, March 4, according to the Texas Department of Transportation.

TxDOT officials said the project includes work on and underneath the bridge. Crews are working daily from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., weather permitting. The maintenance is expected to take approximately two weeks to complete.

During the project, motorists should expect periodic single-lane closures to allow crews to safely complete the work.

The Albany News is preparing to release its Spring/Summer Visitor Guide at the end of this month, continuing the fresh look introduced with last fall’s complete redesign.

The updated format, which shifted the guide to more of a magazine-style publication, was well received by readers and local businesses alike. With a clean layout, expanded features and a strong focus on highlighting Albany’s shops, restaurants, events and attractions, the redesigned guide quickly became a go-to resource for both residents and visitors.

With the basketball season now complete and Albany’s playoff run finished, several Lions have earned top honors on the District 10-AA All-District team.

Leading the way for Albany was senior Huffman Heatly, who was named Co-Most Valuable Player after a standout season in which he helped guide the Lions to one of the most successful campaigns in program history. Heatly played a central role on both ends of the court, providing leadership, scoring, and defensive intensity throughout the year.

The Albany Lions saw their season come to an end Thursday night, Feb. 26, falling to Graford, 66-49, in the Area round of the Class 2A Division II playoffs at Graham.

The loss ended more than a year without a defeat for the Lions. Albany’s previous loss also came against Graford, meaning the Lions went 370 days between losses and completed an undefeated regular season before returning to the postseason.

Effort there,

shots not

CHOOSING THE

RIGHT WAY

The baseball great, Yogi Berra, had a number of famous quotes about choosing your path in life:

“When you come to a fork in the road, take it!”

“You gotta be careful if you don’t know where you’re going, because you might not get there.”

“I know we’re lost, but we’re making great time!”