By Sam Waller

Albany High School senior Briley Tabor has been selected to serve as Albany Lions Club Sweetheart for 2022-23, while Samantha Hinkle was chosen as her counterpoint from Moran High School.

“Sweethearts meet with us on Thursday every chance that they get, if their school schedules will permit,” ­Lions Club president Bob Skelton said. “They’re invited to assist us with fundraising or service projects, and if they’re available, they often participate.”

By Sam Waller

Albany’s FCCLA chapter will hold a fundraiser lunch Sunday, Nov. 6, at The Feed Store.

The event is to help raise funds for chapter members to attend regional, state and national events next spring and summer.

Homecooked meals of ham, scalloped potatoes, salad, rolls, and dessert will be served from 11:30 a.m. until sold out, FCCLA sponsor Jennifer Marshall said.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The 2022 Red Ribbon Week campaign is winding down, but organizers still have events planned for the final two days on Thursday and Friday.

Students at both the elementary and secondary campuses have been involved in dress-up days, contests, and daily tokens to remind them to stay away from drugs and alcohol.

The nationwide theme for 2022 is “Celebrate Life. Live Drug Free,” which is being observed locally on Oct. 24-28.

By Sam Waller

Five Shackelford County 4-H members earned spots at district competition with their entries in the county Food Show, held Sunday, Oct. 23 at Bethel Assembly.

Advancing to the District 7 Food Show will be  James Hise in Intermediate Dessert, Maggie Spraberry in Junior Appetizer, Gage Burton in Junior Main Dish, Artie Bell in Junior Side Dish, and Kimberly Howe in Junior Dessert.

By Sam Waller

Continued hot, dry conditions are having a negative impact on the outlook for the upcoming quail season, which starts this weekend.

According to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, the bobwhite quail population has dropped for four straight years. The annual roadside survey shows an average of 1.87 birds for 20-mile survey route in the Rolling Plains region from 2020-22. Even during the drought years of 2011-2013, the average was 3.86.

“It’s going to be sub-average because of the dry conditions,” game warden Jacob Mort said.

By Sam Waller

Moran ISD will have special programs presented by the District 14 Education Service Center for all grade levels on Monday, Oct. 31.

Principal Jo Hise said separate programs will be presented for elementary, middle school, and high school students.

“We’re going to talk about how to be friends and about bullying with kindergarten through fifth grade,” Hise said. “We’ll cover technology safety with sixth through eighth grades and drug prevention with ninth through 12th.”

The presentations will be about 30 minutes with each group.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Hundreds of local students and parents are expected to crowd the Nancy Smith Elementary campus Saturday for the annual Fall Fest featuring game booths, food, bingo, and a costume contest.

Booths will open at 5:00 p.m. and continue until 8:00 p.m.

According to organizer Ragan Riley, the event is coming together at the last minute regarding the number of volunteers needed to pull off the massive undertaking.

By Melinda L. Lucas

While traditional trick-or-treating will be held later, local merchants and businesses will once again be handing out candy to local children next Wednesday afternoon, Oct. 26, corresponding with Friendship Baptist Church’s Trunk or Treat event that evening.

Participating businesses will be set up mostly in the main block of downtown from 3:30 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. on Saturday to hand out candy and treats to local students and preschoolers donning Halloween attire.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Albany High School seniors Koy Cauble and Leddie Leech were crowned 2022 Homecoming King and Queen in front of a homecoming crowd Friday night at the halftime of the Albany vs. Cross Plains game.

The Coming Home King and Queen representing the Class of 1972 – David Priest and Donna Freudiger Parker – were also presented at midfield during the ceremony at the half.

By Melinda L. Lucas

The pharmacy techs at Sanders Drug were given a four percent raise after a fairly brief meeting of the Shackelford County Hospital District’s board of directors on Monday, Oct. 17.

The action came at the end of a 20-minute closed session with all five directors present voting in favor.

Board Vacancy

Kramer Harbold, who ran for the board last spring, was present for the session and addressed the directors to express his willingness to serve.