By Sam Waller

Nancy Smith Elementary School counselor Susie Beard has been named Counselor of the Year by the Region 14 Education Service Center.

Beard, in her third year as NSES counselor, has been employed by the Albany ISD for 23 years and involved in education for 31 years. In addition to teaching at Albany Junior/Senior High School, she has also held faculty positions at Clyde and Moran.

Beard, who is married to Albany agriculture teacher Chris Beard, said the honor came as a complete surprise.

By Sam Waller

Moran ISD superintendent Dr. John Denson attended a meeting of the Region 14 Education Service West Texas Tech Co-op on Wednesday, Feb. 9, to discuss ways to improve internet availability for students.

“A lot of rural schools have trouble getting internet because of their location,” Denson said.

The consortium consists of 55 members comprising school districts, colleges and universities, libraries, museums, hospitals, and city and government agencies in the West Central Texas area.

Every year, wildfires burn across Texas, and a growing number of people are living where wildfires are a real risk. It is a peril that impacts all parts of the state and can occur throughout the year. Despite billions of dollars to support wildfires suppression efforts, the number of homes lost in wildfires continues to increase.

Currently, 110 counties in Texas are experiencing a burn ban. Dry vegetation, low humidity, and windy warm weather trends are all making what experts call a dangerous wildfire environment this winter.

The Callahan-Shackelford County Farm Bureau has begun the new year with several new members on its board of directors.

When directors retire or move from the county during their terms on the board, new directors are appointed to fill the vacancy until the term expires.

During 2021, the positions held by H.T. Gleason and Shane Lee of Callahan County and Rocky Vinson of Shackelford County were filled respectively by Rustin Williams, Clay Smith, and Ace Reames.

Tyler Beard

Tyler Beard, son of Chris and Susie Beard of Albany, was named to the President’s List at Tarleton State University with a 4.0 GPA for the fall 2021 term.

The President’s List is one of the highest honors Tarleton confers on full-time students.

Jaleigh Morales

Jaleigh Morales of Albany was named to the Fall 2021 Dean’s List of McMurry University. She is majoring in biomedical science.

A 2020 graduate of Albany High School, she is the daughter of Melissa and Edward Morales.

By Donnie A. Lucas

In-person early voting for the March 1 primary elections starts Monday, Feb. 14 and continues until Friday, Feb. 25, with balloting taking place in the first floor lobby of the Shackelford County Courthouse.

Early voting hours are 8:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. each weekday including Fridays during the period. The Courthouse will be closed on Monday, Feb. 21 for Presidents Day.

“Voting will be available through the lunch hour this year,” election clerk Cheri Hawkins said.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Resound Networks, the company that was awarded a substantial bid to provide expanded and improved internet services in Shackelford County, has begun offering plans to both residential and commercial customers.

The company, headquartered in Pampa, Texas has completed at least initial steps to provide internet services in an eight-mile radius of Albany.

No information was available from the company on when services might be expanded to more rural areas of the county.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The number of positive COVID-19 cases administered locally continued to drop last week as the spike earlier in the month seems to be subsiding.

The number of positive test results dropped to 22 positive cases based on tests administered at the three local testing sites. However, the testing period was limited to only three days with the testing sites closed on Thursday and Friday due to the weather.

A total of 45 tests were given for the week of Jan. 24-28, according to the weekly report issued by county judge Bob Skelton.

By Donnie A. Lucas

With just over a week remaining in the filing period for several local May 7 elections, only a few candidates have signed up for a term on one of the six boards or councils subject to election.

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.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Chamber of Commerce will host its annual meeting Friday, Feb. 11, after postponing the event because of last week’s winter storm.

Chamber manager Mary Beth Jones said the Chamber faced a busy week because of weather delays. A board meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 8 got the week started.

Friday’s meeting is scheduled for noon at the Beehive Restaurant with two board positions to be elected. Jones said places currently held by Clayton Snyder and Ramby Anderson will be up for vote.