By Donnie A. Lucas

The annual meeting of the Albany Chamber of Commerce is scheduled for the Friday, Feb. 3 luncheon at the Icehouse restaurant starting at 12:00 noon.

Chamber directors whose terms have expired will be up for re-election, followed by the election of officers for the next year.

Board members whose terms are expiring this year include Ramby Anderson, Clayton Snyder, Jacob Cleveland and Chris Beard. Cleveland said that he will not seek another term, while the other three have agreed to continue to serve.

Board members served three-year terms.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Filing opened last Wednesday, Jan. 18 for the local May 6 elections, with several incumbents already signing up.

Three current Albany ISD trustees have already filed, including Robert Montgomery for Place 1, Ginny Ivy for Place 2, and Bo Brown, who was recently appointed to the unexpired Place 3 seat.

At Albany City Hall, mayor Susan Montgomery and council members Lynsi Musselman and Don Taggart will be on the ballot.

At press time on Tuesday, there were no filings for the other four entities.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Three brothers from one Albany family who each served in World War II have been recently memorialized with a plaque on the Memorial Wall at the Nimitz Museum in Fredericksburg.

The trio of Dillingham brothers – Benny (Bud), Bill, and J. Lee (Toby) – each served in the war, and all returned home at its conclusion.

The plaque was arranged by Toby’s daughters, Brenda Pratt of Breckenridge and Cathy Seith of Friendswood, and placed at the museum in December.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Most of the dialogue at Mondy morning’s meeting of the Shackelford County commissioners involved the need to update, replace, and add to the camera system at the Law Enforcement Center in order to meet state requirements.

Sheriff Ed Miller addressed three different issues, including a statute that now requires cameras in the juvenile interview room, as well as replacing the unit in the room where DWIs are processed.

Less of a priority, he said, is replacing the 86 analog cameras that make up the system at the door controls and cell check.

By Melinda L. Luca

A blood drive is scheduled to take place in Albany next Friday, Feb. 3.

Regular donors are asked to note that the dates are changing in 2023 from Thursdays to Fridays.

Scheduled for roughly eight-week intervals, this year’s blood drives are planned on Feb. 3, April 14, June 9, Aug. 4, Sept. 29, and Nov. 28.

Hendrick Regional Blood Center will park at First Baptist Church from 1:00 until 6:00 p.m.

By Sam Waller

The First Baptist Church youth group will hold a pancake supper Sunday Feb. 5 to raise money for church camp this summer.

Serving will start at 5:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall and last until sold out.

There will not be a set price, but donations will be accepted.

Drive-through service will be available.

“People can just park and place their order,” FBC youth minister Eduardo San Lucas said. “They don’t have to get out.”

By Sam Waller

Registration continues for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes’ Weekend of Champions leadership camps.

The camps for youth in eighth through 12th grades will be held at Eastland’s Solid Rock Camp. The girls camp will be held Saturday-Sunday, Feb. 4-5, with the boys camp following on Saturday-Sunday, Feb. 11-12.

Local FCA representative Paul Johnston, who will lead the girls camp, said that while there is no registration deadline, attendees are encouraged to sign up as early as possible.

By Donnie A. Lucas

A small group of just nine students opened the 2023 UIL academic season last Saturday in Haskell, with several placing and three teams taking first place.

Three students picked up 11 medals or ribbons over the five journalism events, earning the points needed to also bring home the Top Journalism Team plaque.

Likewise, the current events and social studies teams also took first place.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The high school Winter Formal is set for Saturday at the Whitney Theatre from 7:30 to 10:00 p.m.

Sponsored by the Albany Student Council, the event is open only to high school students and guests who have been pre-approved.

The crowning of Mr. and Miss AHS will be held at 9:00 p.m., followed with presentation of the prince and princess for the freshmen, sophomore, and junior classes.

Tickets are available from the four class presidents in advance for $10, or can be purchased for $15 at the door.

By Donnie A. Lucas

General Education Development  (GED) classes have resumed with the start of the spring semester and are being held on Mondays and Tuesdays at the Shackelford County Library.

Instructor Kenzie Fairchild said anyone interested in registering for classes may still do so. Registrants will need to bring an acceptable form of identification such as drivers license and Social Security card. The classes are open to students age 17 or older. Students who are 17 must have parental consent to register.