Texas Tech University graduate and Lubbock educator John Gallagher was approved as the new principal for the Nancy Smith Elementary School campus during an early morning special session of the Albany ISD board of trustees on Thursday, April 4.

At Monday’s meeting, Albany city council members reviewed unofficial year-end figures as of March 31, 2019, with city manager Billy Holson noting a few amended overages and stating that he is starting on a five-year capital improvement plan.

The 2019 Fort Griffin Fandangle Membership Sampler will be presented at the site of the historic Town of Fort Griffin next Saturday, April 20 at 6:00 p.m.

Adult participants are invited to bring their favorite bottle of wine or beverage to the Old Jail Art Center next Thursday, April 18, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., and leave with an encaustic painting that they create during the workshop.

All Shackelford County senior adults (50 and up) are invited to attend the Shackelford County Resource Center’s April senior luncheon to be held on Friday, April 12 at the Albany Youth Center beginning at 11:00 a.m. Members of First Baptist Church are hosting this month.

The wild west will come back to life, at least for a day, in downtown Albany this month at the first annual Chamber of Commerce Wild West Day on Saturday, April 27, and a host of activities will provide a multitude of entertainment options for all ages.

Albany churches are observing Holy Week with a special midweek community service on Wednesday, sponsored by the Albany Ministerial Alliance, as well as special activities for some of the individual congregations.

Madison Wilkins was named as Top Hand for the second year in a row at the 2019 Buyer-Seller Banquet on Saturday, April 6. Cutter Edgar and Wilkins were announced as the winners of the 29th annual Watt R. Matthews Memorial Scholarships.

Communities across the country recognize those who help save lives in times of personal or national crisis during National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, being observed locally April 14-20.

Taylor and Callahan counties will host a Wheat Field Day from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm on Friday, May 3 at various sites throughout the counties, beginning at the Taylor County plots located off Texas Highway 351 on County Road 521, also known as Mesquite Lane.