By Melinda L. Lucas

Friends of the Old Jail Art Center will finally get to celebrate the museum’s 40th anniversary this Saturday with a long-awaited party under the big tent.

The OJAC’s Ruby Jubilee was originally scheduled in the spring of 2020 but the pandemic forced a two-year wait for patrons of Albany’s “Jewel of the Prairie.”

Betsy Senter, who is chairing the celebration’s planning committee, promised “fun raffles, a signature drink called a red slipper, and dueling pianos for entertainment.”

By Donnie A. Lucas

Only two of the six local entities located within the county will hold elections on May 7, with the other four entities cancelling elections because there were no contested races.

The filing period for each of the local races ended Friday, Feb. 18, with only the Shackelford County Hospital Board and the Fort Griffin SUD Board drawing more candidates than terms expiring this year.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The number of positive COVID-19 cases tested locally held steady over the last week, with 13 positives results from the 44 tests administered.

The three local testing sites reported a combined total of 14 positive test results from the 33 tests administered during the week of Feb. 7-11.

According to the weekly report issued by county judge Bob Skelton, the hospitalized cases in Trauma Service Area D, which includes Abilene and Brownwood hospitals, dropped significantly from 73 to 44 patients at the time of the report on Monday.

By Sam Waller

The Rock Hill School building in southwest Shackelford County will continue as the polling site for Precinct 4 after the county obtained title to the property in January.

Ownership of the one-room, wooden structure – which dates back to at least 1920 – was somewhat murky following multiple school consolidations in the area. Rock Hill was absorbed by Hamby, which later consolidated with Clyde.

By Melinda L. Lucas

One-year contract extensions were approved for principals  Glen Hill at Albany Junior/Senior High School and John Gallagher at Nancy Smith Elementary School, along with similar offers for district business manager Angelyn Faith and director of student services Leigh Lowe, following a closed session at the end of Monday’s regular school board meeting.

Seven percent raises for all four are contingent on the 2022-2023 budget.

By Donnie A. Lucas

A total of 10 members of the high school band earned Division I ratings and medals at the solo and ensemble contest held last Saturday in Abilene.

A group of 12 students completed, with 10 earning the highest rating for a medal. The other two members received Division II ratings, still considered excellent based on the five-point system.

Students played solos ranging from Class 1 to Class 3, based on the level of difficulty.

By Sam Waller

Several Albany students are scheduled to participate in an academic practice meet Saturday, Feb. 26, at Stamford.

“Any of the kids who are available to go and get some practice time in, we’ll take them,” Albany UIL coordinator Rick Davis said. “For some of the events, we’re trying to figure out who’s on the team. This will help us make our decisions.”

Davis said as many as 20 students will be available to participate.

By Sam Waller

Albany churches will conduct Ash Wednesday services Wednesday, March 2, to begin Lent, which continues until Thursday, April 14.

Albany United Methodist Church will participate in “A Night With New Room” at 6:30 p.m. on Ash Wednesday. The livestream program can be viewed at the church or online at www.newroom conference.com.

The service is a preparation event for the church’s Lenten Study, a 40-day devotional for Lent which begins Sunday, March 7.

By Donnie A. Lucas

When their parents moved their families halfway around the world in search of a better life, they probably weren’t thinking that a small West Texas community like Albany would provide its own version of the American Dream.

Most folks in Albany or passing through have noticed the new building housing the Donut Shop, just a block east of the original location on Main Street.

First Baptist Church will hold a volleyball tournament Saturday, March 12 to raise funds to send youth to church camp this summer.

The double-elimination tournament will be held at the Albany High School gym. Awards will be presented for first, second, and third place.

The tournament is open to incoming eighth graders and older. Teams must have a minimum of seven players and a maximum of 10. At least three team members must be girls.

Entry fee is $16 per person, with a deadline of Sunday, March 6. Teams must have a team name and designate a team captain.