By Sam Waller

Continued hot, dry conditions are having a negative impact on the outlook for the upcoming quail season, which starts this weekend.

According to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, the bobwhite quail population has dropped for four straight years. The annual roadside survey shows an average of 1.87 birds for 20-mile survey route in the Rolling Plains region from 2020-22. Even during the drought years of 2011-2013, the average was 3.86.

“It’s going to be sub-average because of the dry conditions,” game warden Jacob Mort said.

By Sam Waller

Moran ISD will have special programs presented by the District 14 Education Service Center for all grade levels on Monday, Oct. 31.

Principal Jo Hise said separate programs will be presented for elementary, middle school, and high school students.

“We’re going to talk about how to be friends and about bullying with kindergarten through fifth grade,” Hise said. “We’ll cover technology safety with sixth through eighth grades and drug prevention with ninth through 12th.”

The presentations will be about 30 minutes with each group.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Hundreds of local students and parents are expected to crowd the Nancy Smith Elementary campus Saturday for the annual Fall Fest featuring game booths, food, bingo, and a costume contest.

Booths will open at 5:00 p.m. and continue until 8:00 p.m.

According to organizer Ragan Riley, the event is coming together at the last minute regarding the number of volunteers needed to pull off the massive undertaking.

By Melinda L. Lucas

While traditional trick-or-treating will be held later, local merchants and businesses will once again be handing out candy to local children next Wednesday afternoon, Oct. 26, corresponding with Friendship Baptist Church’s Trunk or Treat event that evening.

Participating businesses will be set up mostly in the main block of downtown from 3:30 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. on Saturday to hand out candy and treats to local students and preschoolers donning Halloween attire.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Albany High School seniors Koy Cauble and Leddie Leech were crowned 2022 Homecoming King and Queen in front of a homecoming crowd Friday night at the halftime of the Albany vs. Cross Plains game.

The Coming Home King and Queen representing the Class of 1972 – David Priest and Donna Freudiger Parker – were also presented at midfield during the ceremony at the half.

By Melinda L. Lucas

The pharmacy techs at Sanders Drug were given a four percent raise after a fairly brief meeting of the Shackelford County Hospital District’s board of directors on Monday, Oct. 17.

The action came at the end of a 20-minute closed session with all five directors present voting in favor.

Board Vacancy

Kramer Harbold, who ran for the board last spring, was present for the session and addressed the directors to express his willingness to serve.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The Albany Ragin’ Red Band was the lone Class 2A band to earn a Division I rating at the Region 6 UIL Marching Contest held Monday at Wylie High School in Abilene.

The band also fulfilled the goal of earning Division I ratings from all three judges, one of just five bands to receive “straight ones” among the 17 bands of all classifications that marched Monday in Abilene.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Early voting for the Nov. 8 General Election that includes federal, state, and county offices starts Monday, Oct. 24 at the Shackelford County Courthouse.

In-person early voting will be held from 8:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. on Monday through Friday for a two-week period that ends Friday, Nov. 4.

Those who vote in person, either during early voting or on Election Day, will need to present a picture ID, along with their current voter registration card if possible.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Albany ISD trustees spent most of Monday night’s regular meeting going over the district’s various required improvement plans, as well as approving the final version of the 2021-2022 financial audit.

CPA Cameron Gulley presented the audit at the September meeting, but no motion was made at that time to approve it, because figures were not yet available from the Community Foundation of Abilene regarding Albany ISD’s investments.

The audit notice is being published in this week’s paper.

District Reports

By Melinda L. Lucas

Members of the Albany Volunteer Fire Department will be presenting fire safety information to local school children this Friday, Oct. 21 as part of its annual fire safety and prevention initiative.

Several AVFD volunteers  plan to be at Nancy Smith Elementary School at Friday morning for a general assembly, then allow students by grade level to “tour” two or three of the department’s vehicles.

Last week was National Fire Safety Week, with a theme of “Fire won’t wait. Plan your escape!”