By Donnie A. Lucas

The annual Albany Chest campaign is off and running, with directors setting a 2022 goal of $47,000.

Twenty-five different organizations submitted requests for this year’s funding, all of which were considered by the board during a meeting held on Wednesday, Oct. 5.

“The goal of the Albany Chest is to enhance the lives of Albany citizens through the money that is given to us,” said board president Jana Kitchens. “We do our best to place the money where it will benefit the most individuals across the broadest range of our population.”

By Donnie A. Lucas

Although the deadline for tickets has just passed, anyone interested in attending the 18th annual Friends of Fort Griffin Gala set for Saturday, Oct. 15 at Collins Creek Ranch could possibly still purchase tickets if they hurry, according to organizers.

“Our deadline was actually on Tuesday,” organizer Susan Waller said. “If there is anyone who wants to come who doesn’t have tickets yet, they can contact me to see if it is possible for us to squeeze them in.”

By Sam Waller

Albany High School and Junior High students are concluding homecoming celebrations Friday, Oct. 14 at the Fifth Quarter fellowship held immediately after the game at The Feed Store.

This week’s event is being hosted by First Baptist Church.

The postgame youth gathering will last until 11:00 p.m.

The final Fifth Quarter will be held Friday, Nov. 4, following the game against Abilene TLC. Friendship Baptist, Bethel Assembly, and Albany Methodist churches will host that night.

By Melinda L. Lucas

The regular Chamber of Commerce noon luncheon this Friday has been cancelled, with members and others encouraged to support the Albany Kiwanis Club fajita lunch at noon that day.

Current Chamber manager Mary Beth Jones said this week that conflicts with the Kiwanis fundraiser and other homecoming activities resulted in the decision.

Position Open

Chamber directors have started the process of seeking a replacement for Jones, who has taken another job and will only be in the office until the end of this month.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The call has gone out for volunteers of all types to assist with the annual Fall Fest at Nancy Smith Elementary sponsored by the Albany PTO.

The event is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 22 – a week earlier than usual – and organizers need parents, teachers, and community volunteers to sign to help.

“We are still lacking the number of volunteers needed to run a successful Fall Fest this year,” organizer Ragan Riley said this week. “We need help with set-up, operating booths, and helping in the cafeteria.”

By Melinda L. Lucas

Updating the five-year plan for capital improvements, reviewing current finances, and discussing the waste contract were the primary topics on the agenda of an Albany city council meeting held Monday evening, Oct. 10.

After reaching the fiscal year mid-point Sept. 30, city manager Billy Holson went through the city’s capital improvements budget.

The plan includes future expenditures for the water plant, distribution system, wastewater department, streets, and other infrastructure.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Shackelford County commissioners discussed how to distribute $27,422 in Capital Credits recently awarded to the county, but tabled the issue with the intention of making a decision at the next meeting.

The funds, which accumulate as part of unclaimed property reported to the state by electric cooperatives, were requested by the county earlier this year. County judge Robert Skelton stated that the amount was more than usual.

By Sam Waller

A new event for the Shackelford County Youth and Livestock Show is officially underway following initial weigh-in for commercial steers.

Shackelford County extension agent Kelsey Bell said five entries of two steers were weighed and registered on Sunday, Sept. 25 at the Nail Ranch.

“We’re pleased with that number for our first year,” Bell said. “The kids learned a lot. Bucky Nail gave a talk on his feeding management program.”

Entrants received weigh tickets as a starting place for their record books for the project.

By Sam Waller

Four Albany FFA members exhibited animals this week at the State Fair of Texas in Dallas.

Kenzie Neve placed third with her steer in All Other Crosses.

In the swine show, Callan Edgar placed seventh with a Crossbred, Tatum Grady placed eighth with a Spot, and Colter Edgar was 10th with a Yorkshire.

Neve also showed steers last week at the Heart of Texas Fair and Rodeo in Waco, placing in both the scholarship and premium shows.

By Donnie A. Lucas In preparation for the UIL marching contest on Oct. 17, the AHS band competed in the Big Country Marching Festival last Saturday, earning a Division I rating. The event was held at Wylie High School in Abilene, with the band marching at 2:30 p.m. “We started out a little timidly but were playing strong by the end,” director William Vaughan said. “We received good comments from the judges that will help us prepare for the UIL Marching Contest that is coming up.” The band will compete in the regional marching contest on Monday, Oct. 17, again at Wylie.