The City of Albany will test the emergency warning siren at 12:00 noon next Wednesday, Feb. 13, as it does the second Wednesday of every month, depending on the weather.

The tests keep citizens familiar with the three warning sounds, and they are also used to make sure that the siren, computer, software, and radios are working correctly.

The siren should sound one of the three emergency tones at noon on that day, but the siren is not tested if the weather is questionable, according to local fire chief Kyle Tischler. 

The annual membership meeting of the Albany Chamber of Commerce, including election of directors, will take place at the Chamber’s noon meeting on Friday, Feb. 8 at the Beehive. 

Each year, several of the board members’ terms come up for election on a rotating basis, and the new directors are chosen at the annual membership meeting, traditionally on the first Friday in February, according to Chamber manager Mary Beth Jones.

However, because of a conflict with the county stock show, the meeting was delayed until the second Friday.

Landon Herrell took first place in the Albany Cub Scouts’ annual Pinewood Derby race held at the Youth Center on Tuesday, Jan. 22.

Cubmaster John Lucas was unable to be at the event, so Ricky and Kenisha Lucas, along with Jayden Lucas and Damian Little from Boy Scout Troop 255, helped set up the 36-foot aluminum track and run the race.

“Since only four Cub Scouts showed up for the race, we just ran an overall double elimination race instead of racing by individual Dens, and then the overall,” said committee chair Teri Lucas.

Visitors at the Old Jail Art Center next week will have a chance to join museum patrons across the country in showing some love for artwork by placing a paper heart next to one of their favorite exhibits, and staff members are showing their love for museum members all month long.

Membership 

Appreciation Month

On Wednesday, Jan. 23, four Shackelford County 4-H Food Challenge teams competed at the San Angelo Stock Show and District Competition.

A junior team of Tatum Grady, Mimi Ivy, Hattie Braly, and Charli Trail received a fifth place in District 7 with “Dream Soup” made of Spam, potato dumplings, and cheese.

Others were Alli McDaniel, Caroline Chapman, Charlee Patterson, Kenzie Neve, Myleigh Leveridge, Abi Hale, Jalea Bowman, Zeke Henson, Sidney Russell, Cambree Clegg, Maci Hatchett, and Paisley Clark.

Books, posters, and educational products for next week’s annual Scholastic Book Fair were expected to arrive at Nancy Smith Elementary School this morning, and volunteers plan to set up the displays before the end of the day, according to Parent Teacher Organization president Ginny Ivy.

“Our book fair is a reading event that brings kids the books they want to read,” Ivy said. “We’ll receive a wonderful selection of engaging and affordable books for every reading level, and all purchases benefit our school!” 

One Act Play (OAP) co-director Jenny Scott and 22 Albany High School students are preparing for their University Interscholastic League district competition next month.

The District 8 OAP meet will be held in Stamford on Wednesday, March 6.

“This year we are performing The Fourth Ward by Amanda Guthrie,” said Scott. “I chose this play because it is newly published, and I feel it is a well-written play that our students can perform well.”

Tryouts took place before the Christmas break, and the troupe is practicing three times a week, according to Scott.

Members of the Albany softball board will hold a fundraiser this weekend at the First Baptist Church fellowship hall at 12:00 noon on Sunday, Feb. 10, and everyone is invited to enjoy a baked potato, fixings including butter, cheese, and sour cream, tea or water, and dessert for $8 a plate.

“Proceeds will go to our equipment fund and toward scholarships,” said board member Beth Roysdon. “FBC Albany is so nice to let us use their kitchen and fellowship hall for this fundraiser meal! Please don’t miss out.”

Dine-in or take-out options are available. 

Students at the Moran Independent School District will not have class this Friday, Feb. 1, and the staff will have a comp day.

The student holiday was added to correspond with the county stock show.

Six FFA students and one 4-H member from Moran have entered project animals in the show.

Junior High UIL

Sixteen Moran sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students competed in the District 20 junior high UIL academic meet on Jan. 16 at Gordon. 

Other schools in District 20 are Baird, Eula, Gordon, Ranger, and Strawn.

The number of recently confirmed cases of influenza have increased at both of the two health clinics in Albany, reflecting a trend seen across Texas and the nation.

Flu-like symptoms have affected so many local students that the junior high girls’ B team game was cancelled on Monday evening and both JV basketball games at Roscoe were cancelled on Tuesday.

“We are seeing quite a bit of flu (at the county health clinic),” said Shackelford County Hospital District Administrator Jera Fairley. “The number of cases seems to be increasing.”