By Donnie A. Lucas

The Albany High School Student Council hosted the annual Winter Formal last Saturday, with class royalty presented, including the crowning of Mr. and Miss AHS.

The gala was held at the Whitney Theatre, with music provided by disc jockey Martin Priteo, Jr.

Seniors Ella Webb and Cole Chapman were selected by the student body to serve as this year’s Mr. and Miss AHS.

Other senior nominees for the honor included Brooke Kayga, Gracie Price, Briley Tabor, Coy Lefevre, London Fuentes, and Miles McCloy.

By Sam Waller

Albany’s Donald McCullough made the most of a second chance in the calf scramble at the Fort Worth Stock Show on Saturday, Jan. 28, catching a calf and getting it across the finish line.

McCullough received a $500 certificate to purchase a registered beef or dairy heifer to be shown at next year’s Fort Worth show.

On Tuesday, Jan. 17, McCullough and Judson Rogers competed in the scramble with Rogers catching a calf. McCullough, who was scheduled to show a gilt over the weekend, was offered another try to help fill openings in the Saturday field.

By Sam Waller

Moran Independent School District was one of several area districts to have its schedule affected by the winter storm moving through Shackelford County this week.

Moran superintendent said MISD had early release on Monday, Jan. 30 and cancelled classes on Tuesday, Jan. 31. No decision on Wednesday, Feb. 1, classes had been made at deadline time on Tuesday.

Denson said having more than half the district’s students bused in from outside the district factored into the decision.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Anyone who likes a murder mystery, proms, and bouffant hairdos from the 1980s should love the latest murder mystery dinner theater performance set for Feb. 11.

Hosted by Resource Care in Albany, tickets are on sale  for the third annual who-done-it dinner theater performed by members of the Albany Mainstreet Playhouse at the Whitney Theater.

The fundraiser benefits the local Vittles by Vehicles program that feeds about 40 senior citizens in the area three times per week.

By Melinda L. Lucas

With about two weeks remaining in the filing period for local May 6 elections, a few incumbents have signed up for another term but no challengers have signed up yet.

As of Tuesday’s press deadline, no one had filed  since those reported in the Jan. 26th edition.

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.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Four members of the Shackelford County Hospital Board met long enough in open session to appoint a new director and take care of some routine business before closing the doors to discuss “board member conduct” for over an hour on Monday, Jan. 23.

Kraymer Harbold, who has been an Albany resident for several years, was appointed to fill a vacancy on the board on a motion by Jason Price, seconded by Mary Beth Jones.

“We almost didn’t have a quorum tonight, and I think it’s important to get someone in this vacant position,” said Price.

By Sam Waller

The 2023 Shackelford Youth and Livestock Show benefitted from good weather and potentially record-setting sales as it concluded Saturday, Jan. 21 with a premium sale for show participants,.

The show, which was dedicated to the memory of former participant Boone Askew, featured 245 animal projects exhibited by 147 Shackelford County 4-Hers and FFA students from Moran and Albany. The numbers were higher than last year’s 236 projects and 130 exhibitors.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Pick-up dates for the February distribution of the commodity food program will be Thursday, Feb. 2 and Friday, Feb. 3.

Certified eligible families in Moran should pick up their monthly commodity food at the Moran City Hall between 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 2.

Albany families who have been certified as eligible for the February food distribution program may pick up their food on Friday, Feb. 3, from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. at the rear door of the JP office.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Taxes assessed during 2021 are officially due next week, on Tuesday, Jan. 31.

Payments made in person at 132 Hill St. will be accepted through the end of that work day, as will mailed payments postmarked no later than Jan. 31, 2023.

Online payments at www.shackelfordcad.com can be made any time before midnight on Jan. 31.

Anything in the drop box by the start of business of Wednesday, Feb. 1 will not be considered delinquent.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Tickets are now on sale to members for the 85th anniversary performances of the Ft. Griffin Fandangle set for June 16 and 17, and June 23 and 24.

The membership drive for this year has already started, with eight levels of contributions available for patrons.

The Fandangle is the Oldest Outdoor Musical in Texas, involving as many as 300 cast and crew members each summer for the four performances at the Prairie Theater.