This year, 2023, marks Big Country Electric Cooperative’s (BCEC) 85th year of hometown service to members and communities. An 85th birthday is a big accomplishment befitting a new logo look, which customers and others are already seeing.

Born in 1938 and 1939 respectively, Midwest and Stamford Electric Cooperatives brought co-op power to the Big Country. Upon merging forces in 1999, the two entities became one backed by the same heart to not only provide electricity, but service to members and support to those communities.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) is now accepting applications for the Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP) to provide financial assistance to eligible livestock producers for 2022 grazing losses due to a qualifying drought or wildfire.

The deadline to apply for 2022 LFP assistance is Jan. 30, 2023.

By Sam Waller

An uninhabited home in Moran was totally destroyed by fire in the early hours of Thursday, Jan. 12, but major damage to nearby structures was avoided.

Elements of the Moran, Albany, and Shackelford County volunteer fire departments responded. Albany VFD Capt. Joel Viertel said the call was received at 3:36 a.m. with two city and two county units responding.

Viertel said the structure, located at 210 Austin St. in Moran, was a total loss by the time local units arrived on the scene.

By Sam Waller

Samantha Hinkle and Danny O’Keefe were crowned queen and king of the Winter Formal Thursday, Dec. 22, as Moran High School students celebrated the holiday break.

Moran principal Jo Hise said the event, which was held at the Moran Events Center, was themed “Snow Ball” and drew about 25 attendees.

Cheer Competition

Moran cheerleaders competed in the UIL Spirit state championships, held Thursday-Saturday, Jan. 12-14 at Fort Worth Convention Center.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The Albany High School auditorium is undergoing a bit of updating, with a new maple floor installed on the stage.

“There has been water damage, especially around the edges, that have been repaired in the past,” superintendent Jonathan Scott said. “The patching had started to become a tripping hazard in places, so it was time to replace it.”

Scott said that the school district was notified about a grant through Shackelford County for $12,500 that was earmarked specifically for fine arts.

By Donnie A. Lucas

After a year of receiving funds and securing bids, major progress is being made to improve the facilities at the Fort Griffin Fandangle’s Prairie Theater.

Currently, the entire seating area for the audience, which was a series of terraces dug into a hillside to provide tiered seating, has been torn out and new limestone block terracing installed.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Some Shackelford county residents could receive jury summons in the near future and are urged to provide the proper notification if they are unable to attend.

Notices have already been sent out for petit jury service on Jan. 17, with other notices to be sent soon for a special trial planned for February, as well as call for a Grand Jury.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Shackelford County law enforcement officers recovered a large amount of stolen oilfield equipment last week off Highway 6 near Moran, according to information from sheriff Ed Miller.

“On Jan. 3, we executed a search warrant at a property located on FM 2408 as a result of ongoing investigations into oilfield thefts occurring in Shackelford, Stephens, and Young counties,” said Miller. “A number of stolen items were recovered as a result of the search warrant.”

By Melinda L. Lucas

With only a few seats left, singer-songwriter Paul Cauthen is set to take the stage at the Aztec Theater this Saturday night in a return visit to kick off Albany Live’s 2023 concert series.

Tickets for the concert, which starts at 8:00 p.m. in downtown Albany, are $75 for general admission seats. To check on ticket availability, go to www.albanylive.org

By Melinda L. Lucas

As is typical, property tax payments at the Shackelford County Appraisal District accelerated just before the end of the year and have continued to come in steadily, according to chief appraiser Clayton Snyder.