High school graduation is only two weeks away, and seniors and their parents are making plans for the celebration, including the traditional Project Graduation party.

The annual field day and track meet for Nancy Smith Elementary School preschool through sixth grade students is set for Monday, May 20 at the high school track facility. The events are scheduled to start at 8:30 a.m., according to NSES administrative assistant Stephanie Gleitz.

Albany High School junior Addison Asher is headed to the UIL state academic meet at the University of Texas campus in Austin this weekend, along with sponsors Donnie Lucas and Jenny Scott. A sendoff is planned Thursday afternoon at 3:00 p.m. as the group passes through the downtown area.

By Melinda L. Lucas Albany will host a Regional Networking Luncheon of the Texas Midwest Community Network on Thursday, May 2 at the Feed Store.

Spring will be celebrated by families this Saturday at the Old Jail Art Center as the staff hosts a family festival featuring crafts, games, food, and music inspired by May Day traditions. The Mayfest will start at 12:00 noon, and participants are invited to come and go until 3:00 p.m.

Much of Monday’s regular meeting of the Shackelford County commissioners was spent discussing a possible change in the way jailers and dispatchers are paid. Sheriff Ed Miller requested that his LEC staff be “transitioned” from being paid on a salary basis to an hourly wage.

Booths featuring various agencies and businesses with health and wellness information, health screenings, and fun activities are expected at tomorrow’s 16th annual Shackelford County ResourceCare sponsored spring health fair. The event will begin at 8:30 a.m. and end at 12:30 p.m.

Academic excellence was honored at the Albany Independent School District’s annual Academic Banquet for junior high and high school students on Monday, April 29, in the main gym at Albany High School. The Feed Store, Albany Academic Booster Club, and Albany ISD co-sponsored the banquet this year.

Members of the Albany Parent Teacher Organization, parents of local students, and the Albany Masons plan to provide snacks, meals, prizes, and gifts to Albany Independent School District teachers and administrators during Teacher Appreciation Week May 6-10.

The Albany sixth and seventh grade bands won top marks by the judges at the Clyde band festival on Friday, April 26. “They did very well,” said band director John Stockdale. “Both bands got straight 1’s.