By Donnie A. Lucas

Thirty-four Albany High School seniors are slated to walk across the stage in the AHS main gym Friday night, May 27 to receive their diplomas, join in the singing of the Alma Mater, and toss their mortar boards in the air marking the end of their high school careers.

Commencement exercises are set to begin at 7:00 p.m. in the main gym, with a reception following at the Whitney Theatre downtown.

Following the class marching in and the playing of the National Anthem, the ceremony will open with class president Luke Ivy giving the invocation.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Repairs and improvements at the Rock Hill voting site were approved, an update given on progress at the Caldwell Lane bridge, and a retirement plaque presented during the Monday, May 23 meeting of the Shackelford County commissioners.

Sherry Garvin, who has worked as the Courthouse custodian for the past seven years, was given a plaque expressing the court’s appreciation for her service.

Garvin had hoped to come back to work after she took an extended leave of absence due to illness last year, but ended up retiring several weeks ago.

By Melinda L. Lucas

A contract for a new local teacher was approved and another extended to full-time during a special meeting of the Albany ISD board of trustees on Monday, May 23.

Albany native Laci Boyett Cook was offered a one-year probationary contract on a motion by Ginny Ivy, seconded by Matt Bellah. She has been teaching junior high math in Merkel for the past four years. Before that, she was employed by Meadow ISD for two years.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Less than 10 percent, 211 of the county’s 2,288 registered voters, cast ballots in Tuesday’s primary runoff election, most of those as Republicans. Only seven people voted in the Democratic runoff.

Shackelford County results followed state trends, helping elect Ken Paxton as the Republican candidate for Attorney General over George P. Bush (155-49), Dawn Buckingham over Tim Westley for Land Commissioner (149-49), and Wayne Christian over Sarah Stogner for Railroad Commissioner (156-43).

By Melinda L. Lucas

An Albany blood drive is set for today, May 26.

Hendrick Regional Blood Center will park the bloodmobile at First Baptist Church at the usual time from 1:00 to 6:00 p.m.

The blood center depends on volunteer blood donors to supply 100 percent of the blood that is used for patient care at 17 area hospitals.

Blood center officials said that there is always a need for blood donors of all types. In particular, officials said those who have O+ and O- are needed.

By Melinda L. Lucas

The annual Splash Day at the Albany city pool is scheduled for Wednesday, June 1.

The facility will be open free of charge to the general public from 12:30 to 5:30 p.m. to start the beginning of the summer.

Savannah Maberry, Meg Walser, and Mikaela Jones are co-managing the pool this year. They have already put in quite a few hours getting the facility ready for the opening – deep cleaning, power washing, sanitizing restrooms and the concession area, and painting cabinets.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The number of positive COVID-19 tests inched up slightly last week as reported by the two local health clinics.

County Judge Bob Skelton reported Monday that four positive results out of 12 tests administered were reported to him for the week of May 16-20, an increase of one case over the prior week when three positives were recorded and eight tests given.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Study Club will hold its annual Quilt Show during the Fort Griffin Fandangle with a hand-pieced quilt being raffled to raise funds for scholarships given by the club.

The Quilt Show will be held the two Fridays and Saturdays during Fandangle, June 17-18 and 24-25, at the Whitney Theatre.

The show is free to the public and will be open from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Albany High School counselors will host a dual-credit meeting in the AHS library starting at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, June 3.

Jenny Scott and Michaela Bradford will present the dual-credit course offerings for the 2022-2023 school year.

Eligibility requirements will be discussed, and required forms will be handed out to interested students.

AHS currently partners with Cisco College to provide opportunities to concurrently earn academic credit in high school and college.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Albany band students ended the school year last Thursday with a concert showcasing each band both separately and combined.

Several students were also recognized with awards during the program that included several selections from each band’s contest music.

Senior Clara Holson was given the prestigious John Philip Sousa Award as the outstanding high school musician for the year.

Students who competed in the UIL Solo and Ensemble contest were also recognized.