Two Albany students were recognized for their achievements at Tarleton State University for the fall 2022 semester.

Max Balliew was  commended for the outstanding academic achievement of earning a 4.0 GPA and making the President’s List for the Fall 2022 semester of Tarleton State College.

Balliew is majoring in Biomedical Science and is scheduled to graduate in May. He is the son of Candy and Tim Balliew.

Conner Clark earned a place on TSU’s Scholastic Honors Dean’s List.

By Sam Waller

Albany’s Judson Rogers caught a calf Tuesday, Jan. 17 during the calf scramble at the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo.

For his efforts, Rogers received a $500 certificate to purchase a registered beef or dairy heifer to be shown at next year’s Fort Worth show.

By Sam Waller

Approximately 150 Shackelford County youth will exhibit around 250 animals this weekend at the Shackelford Youth and Livestock Show.

This year’s show runs Thursday, Jan. 19 (today), through Saturday, Jan. 21. The show is the largest extracurricular activity for Shackelford County youth with more than 100 students from Albany FFA, another 20 from Moran FFA and more than 30 members of Shackelford County 4-H entered.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Albany resident Brandi Lehew has been named as the new manager of the Albany Chamber of Commerce, starting the position this week with regular office hours.

While directors have yet to set the exact time the office will be open, Lehew said that she will be at the Depot on Tuesday through Friday.

“I’m very excited about the opportunity,” Lehew said. “We just love Albany, and everyone has been so welcoming since we moved here.”

By Melinda L. Lucas

At the end of Monday night’s meeting, following the routine closed-session evaluation of AISD superintendent Jonathan Scott, a unanimous motion among the four board members present extended Scott’s contract by one more year to January 2026.

A salary increase was included in the motion for an undisclosed percentage, contingent upon the 2023-2024 budget.

The action came at the end of a 3-1/2 hour closed session, with the meeting adjourning a few minutes later.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Volunteer Fire Department selected Lt. Casey Kimbrough as its 2022 Firefighter of the Year last month at its annual Christmas party.

“The department appreciates Casey’s service, and we’re proud that he received the award this year,” Albany VFD Chief Travis Gardenhire said.

The annual award is voted on by department members to honor an individual whom they believe has best met the five following qualifications:

The firefighter must not be on probation.

By Melinda L. Lucas

The filing period for local elections opened Wednesday for several entities such as the school board, city council, and hospital board and will continue until Friday, Feb. 17.

The election date set by the state for all local elections is Saturday, May 6.

Candidates have the 30-day filing period to sign up for a spot on one of the local boards or councils.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Although it looks as though the Albany Chest will fall short of its 2022 goal, directors are planning to meet next Wednesday evening, Jan. 25 to distribute funds to 25  applicants.

As of press time this week, $40,983 had been collected, $600 more than last week, but almost $6,000 short of the $47,000 goal.

Contributions surpassed the $50,000 mark the previous two years.

Board president Jana Kitchens is hopeful that the board can give the funding amounts that were discussed in late September when the goal was set.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Positive cases of both COVID-19 and the influenza have been on the decline since the beginning of the month, according to numbers reported this week by a local health clinic.

A total of seven positive cases of COVID-19 were reported for the period of Jan. 3-13, according to the Shackelford County Health Clinic. A total of 27 tests for COVID were administered.

Breaking it down by the week, the seven positive results were all from the week of Jan. 3-6. No new cases resulted from the 10 tests administered last week.

By Sam Waller

Two Albany FFA students received blue ribbons last week for their entries in the Fort Worth Stock Show’s Junior Agricultural Mechanics Show.

Junior Ayden Balliew constructed a high rack for hunting, while sophomore Jacob Hale built a deer blind on a trailer.

“Both young men are to be congratulated for their work,” Albany FFA adviser Chris Beard said. “They will exhibit these projects at the San Angelo Stock Show Feb. 2-4.”

Balliew’s two seat rack can be mounted in the bed of a pickup and includes gun mounts.