The City of Moran passed an ordinance last week declaring itself a “Sanctuary City for the Unborn,” joining a growing list of Texas municipalities adopting similar measures.

The ordinance, titled “Ordinance Outlawing Abortion, Declaring Moran a Sanctuary City for the Unborn,” was approved by the Moran City Council in a 4-0-1 vote on Monday, April 15. Four council members voted in favor of the ordinance, with no votes against and one abstention.

Shackelford County received some much-needed rainfall over the weekend, breaking a dry stretch that had left pastures dusty and tanks low. Rain began falling on Saturday afternoon, picking up in intensity by evening and continuing through the night into early Sunday morning.

According to the National Weather Service, Albany officially recorded 3.80 inches over the weekend. However, reports from ranchers and residents around the county suggest higher totals in some locations, with several measuring between 4.5 and 5 inches in their gauges.

By David H. Waller

The Albany ISD Board of Trustees met Monday, April 21, where they unanimously voted to move forward with HPA, an architectural firm out of Wichita Falls, for a potential bond project that could include a new high school.

Discussion centered on selecting a firm that would prioritize Albany’s project and provide direct involvement throughout the process. Superintendent Daryl Stuard and board members expressed concern about getting lost in the shuffle if they chose a firm managing multiple large-scale projects elsewhere.

Donnie and Melinda Lucas were presented with the Cornerstone Award by the Albany Chamber of Commerce during the annual Crawfish Boil, receiving the recognition in front of a large crowd gathered for the spring event.

Both Donnie and Melinda studied journalism at Angelo State University, but it was their shared time in the ASU band that brought them together. Donnie, a 1972 graduate of Nixon High School, earned his degree in August 1976. Melinda, who graduated from Albany High School in 1973, finished her degree the following December.

By Lynsi Perry 

On Tuesday, April 1, the Albany Oil Exchange closed a chapter for one local business man, Matt Birkla, but began another for five others. Jami Childress, James Schkade, Justin Anderson, Dustin Parsons, and Seth Shortes from Breckenridge all teamed up to keep this business local once more.

The Fort Griffin Fandangle Sampler was held this past Saturday at Collins Creek Ranch, where cast and crew braved brisk temperatures and approaching rain to perform a partial preview of the upcoming 87th anniversary show.

Fandangle creative director Lorna Ayers remained committed to hosting the Sampler at Collins Creek, located on the original site of Fort Griffin. Despite the forecast, a decent crowd gathered along Griffin Avenue to enjoy the outdoor performance, which was able to proceed through much of the program before the weather forced an early close.

By Lynsi Perry

Trinity Episcopal Church of Albany, located at the top of the “T” of North 2nd and Avenue B, will celebrate its 115th anniversary as a recognized congregation of the Protestant Episcopal Church on Sunday, April 27th.  Trinity was established as a frontier church 30 plus years before its official recognition from the Diocese. Parishioners met in homes and other churches prior to purchasing their current church building. 

The Albany Chamber of Commerce is throwing its annual Membership Crawfish Boil and Fish Fry tonight, and all members are invited to join the celebration.

The event begins at 6:00 p.m. outside the Depot building, where Chamber members and guests can enjoy a full meal of boiled crawfish and shrimp, crispy fried fish, and a spread of sides. The Happy Grill food truck will be frying up fresh onion rings on site.

By David H. Waller

This year’s Fort Griffin Fandangle Sampler is set for Saturday evening at the historic Collins Creek Ranch, offering a special preview of the summer show in a setting that harkens back to the roots of Fort Griffin.

By Melinda L. Lucas

The 18th annual Albany Classic Car Show is revved up and ready to go in downtown Albany on Saturday, April 19, with the public urged to come see dozens of vintage cars and trucks from around the Big Country over the Easter weekend.

Organizer Robert Snyder said activities will actually begin the night before, on Friday, April 18 with a hamburger supper and burnout at the Bank Park.