By Donnie A. Lucas

With the number of new cases dropping to less than half of those recorded the prior week, the peak of the latest ­COVID-19 surge appears to be in the past.

The number of positive test results decreased significantly during the week of Jan. 24-28 to 29 positive cases based on tests administered at the three local testing sites.

A total of 57 tests were given for the week of Jan. 24-28, according to the weekly report issued by county judge Bob Skelton.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Normally held the first Friday in February, the annual meeting of the Albany Chamber of Commerce membership is being postponed until the following Friday, Feb. 11.

Chamber manager Mary Beth Jones announced late Tuesday afternoon that concerns about the winter storm and safe travel had prompted officers to make the decision to delay the board election by one week.

Instead of this Friday, the meeting will start after the noon luncheon on Friday, Feb. 11 at the Beehive Restaurant to elect two board members.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Regular pick-up dates for the February distribution of the commodity food program were Thursday, Feb. 3 and Friday, Feb. 4.

However, in anticipation of bad weather, Moran families received their food a day early on Wednesday.

Shackelford County Justice of the Peace James Breeden, who coordinates the program, said Tuesday that the weather is still bad on Friday and his office is closed, Albany families can pick up on Monday, Feb. 7 instead, from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. at the JP office.

The City of Albany will test the emergency warning siren at 12:00 noon next Wednesday, Feb. 9, 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.

By Donnie A. Lucas

With about two weeks remaining in the filing period for local May 7 elections, a few incumbents have signed up for another term but no challengers have signed up yet.

Board member posts and council positions are subject to election by the public for both Albany and Moran school boards and city councils, along with the Shackelford County Hospital District and the Fort Griffin SUD.

Candidates have until Friday, Feb. 18 to have their names placed on the ballots for any of the local elections.

Albany School Board

By Donnie A. Lucas

With about two weeks remaining in the filing period for local May 7 elections, a few incumbents have signed up for another term but no challengers have signed up yet.

Board member posts and council positions are subject to election by the public for both Albany and Moran school boards and city councils, along with the Shackelford County Hospital District and the Fort Griffin SUD.

Candidates have until Friday, Feb. 18 to have their names placed on the ballots for any of the local elections.

Albany School Board

By Sam Waller

The Albany Chamber of Commerce is gearing up for a busy stretch, starting with its annual meeting rescheduled for next week on Friday, Feb. 11.

Also on the Chamber schedule are the Albany Stars event and the annual Membership Appreciation Crawfish Boil, as well as plans for an upcoming event in 2023.

Albany Stars

The Chamber’s Albany Stars event has been scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 3 at the Aztec Theater.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The seventh annual Region 7 American Field Trial Club’s Amateur All Age Championship was held Jan. 28-29 at the Crooked Tree Ranch outside of Albany.

Following the championship, the M.G. Perkins All Age Derby Classic followed with nine dogs entered.

The event serves as a qualifying trial for the ­AFTCA National Amateur Invitational Championship, drawing trainers, owners, and dogs from across the state and beyond.

By Melinda L. Lucas

TxDOT bridge engineer Tracy Jones helped Shackelford County commissioners get closer to resolving  the repair of the Caldwell Lane Bridge on CR 179 when he met with them in a special session that included a “field trip” last Wednesday, Jan. 26.

Two different contractors have been hired over the last two years to get the bridge open to traffic again, but neither completed the contract.

Jones reviewed two options, one using concrete and the other utilizing rocks in gabions (wire baskets) to stabilize the structure.

By Sam Waller

Albany FFA member Kenzie Neve ended 2021 and got the 2022 stock show season off to a strong start with her placings at two major national shows.

Neve closed out 2021 by finishing second in Class 1 All Other Cross Steers at the Arizona National Livestock Show held Dec. 27-31 in Phoenix. She also won Champion Intermediate Cattle Showman at the Arizona show.