By Melinda L. Lucas

Shackelford County elected officials continued to work on the budget for the upcoming fiscal year, spending part of Monday afternoon going through the line items prepared by county treasurer Tammy Brown.

During a three-hour session that morning, the commissioners heard from several county employees who asked that funding from the American Rescue Plan Act be used to supplement workers’ pay.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Following a week of online enrollment and three in-person days for registration, school officials reported that over 90 percent of expected students have been registered for the new school year that starts next Wednesday, Aug. 17.

Overall enrollment for all grade levels stood at 461 at the end of the last in-person day for registration on Monday, leaving officials still looking for just under 30 more students to be officially signed up.

Bios of new staff members, along with faculty assignments and school supply lists, are included in the special back-to-school section in this week’s issue.

There are also articles about vaccination requirements, elementary “meet the teacher” night, and orientation for new junior high and high school students.

See Section C for details.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Local law enforcement officers had an unexpectedly busy weekend Aug. 5-8 with several DWI arrests and two ongoing cases that called for assistance from the Texas Rangers.

According to Shackelford County sheriff Ed Miller, there were two one-car accidents in separate locations involving the same vehicle, with the first incident occurring near Albany Food Mart around 2:30 a.m. Sunday. A northbound car failed to make the turn, jumped the curb, and eventually hit the dumpster next to the convenience store.

By Melinda L. Lucas

More than 20 car burglaries have been reported in several Albany neighborhoods, apparently all occurring around midnight on Thursday, Aug. 4 and continuing until daybreak on Friday morning, according to Shackelford County deputy Jason Price, who is investigating along with city police chief Mike House.

One surveillance camera shows what appears to be multiple suspects, and other videos are being reviewed, Price said.

By Sam Waller

A program to introduce the new West Texas Mesonet station near Albany is being organized for Wednesday, Aug. 31, with adult continuing education units available.

Shackelford County extension agent Kelsey Bell said plans are still being worked out.

“I don’t have exact details yet, but I will soon,” Bell said on Tuesday.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Albany High School ag instructor Chris Beard recently earned a 25-year tenure award from the Agriculture Teachers Association of Texas (ATAT) at the annual summer Professional Development Conference.

Beard received the recognition during the Friday night final session of the five-day event, held July 25-29 in Corpus Christi.

Tenure awards are a  membership benefit given in five-year increments to members who have dedicated themselves to teaching and supporting  agricultural science.

By Donnie A. Lucas

There were several new COVID-19 cases reported last week, based on the tests administered at Albany’s two health clinics.

The weekly report by county judge Bob Skelton issued Tuesday reported nine positive test results out of 15 tests given for the period of Aug. 1-5.

Nine cases were also reported the previous week.

The total number of tests or positives does not include any information about tests administered outside Albany or by use of home tests.

By Sam Waller

Shackelford County 4-Hers will celebrate their achievements from 2021-22 with a county banquet at 6:00 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 14 at the Whitney Theatre.

Shackelford County extension agent Kelsey Bell said she received about 110 RSVPs for the event.

In addition to the meal, attendees will view a slideshow depicting 4-H activities during the past year.

“The slideshow is about 15 minutes long," Bell said. “That tells you we had a lot of things going on.”

The highlight of the evening will be the presentation of project completion awards.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Members of the Ragin’ Red Band will host a Meet the Band performance on Monday, Aug. 22 at 7:30 p.m. at the football stadium to showcase what they have learned during summer band practices, according to director William Vaughan.

Members of the band will be introduced, and a portion of this year’s contest show will be presented to parents and any interested members of the public.

The group will march and play through the show’s introduction, as well as playing the second movement.