By David H. Waller

The Albany ISD Board of Trustees met Monday, April 21, where they unanimously voted to move forward with HPA, an architectural firm out of Wichita Falls, for a potential bond project that could include a new high school.

Discussion centered on selecting a firm that would prioritize Albany’s project and provide direct involvement throughout the process. Superintendent Daryl Stuard and board members expressed concern about getting lost in the shuffle if they chose a firm managing multiple large-scale projects elsewhere.

Donnie and Melinda Lucas were presented with the Cornerstone Award by the Albany Chamber of Commerce during the annual Crawfish Boil, receiving the recognition in front of a large crowd gathered for the spring event.

Both Donnie and Melinda studied journalism at Angelo State University, but it was their shared time in the ASU band that brought them together. Donnie, a 1972 graduate of Nixon High School, earned his degree in August 1976. Melinda, who graduated from Albany High School in 1973, finished her degree the following December.

By Lynsi Perry 

On Tuesday, April 1, the Albany Oil Exchange closed a chapter for one local business man, Matt Birkla, but began another for five others. Jami Childress, James Schkade, Justin Anderson, Dustin Parsons, and Seth Shortes from Breckenridge all teamed up to keep this business local once more.

The Fort Griffin Fandangle Sampler was held this past Saturday at Collins Creek Ranch, where cast and crew braved brisk temperatures and approaching rain to perform a partial preview of the upcoming 87th anniversary show.

Fandangle creative director Lorna Ayers remained committed to hosting the Sampler at Collins Creek, located on the original site of Fort Griffin. Despite the forecast, a decent crowd gathered along Griffin Avenue to enjoy the outdoor performance, which was able to proceed through much of the program before the weather forced an early close.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Albany’s Classic Car Show was one of several casualties of severe weather over the weekend, with the event cancelled well in advance so that participants and visitors could adjust their plans.

Robert Snyder, who organizes the annual show, made the call on Thursday afternoon, April 17, citing that chances of rain on Saturday were forecast at over 90%.

And as it turned out, Albany saw rain on Friday night and another four inches or so starting Saturday afternoon, with some thunder and lightning mixed in for good measure.

By Melinda L. Lucas

A meeting of the Shackelford County Hospital District’s board of directors, expected from the beginning to be long, did in fact extend into an almost four-hour event, with more than an hour of that in two separate closed sessions.

Reported during the regular part of the meeting was an apparent “theft of water” from the clinic building, discovered after district administrator Brandi Green received a $793 water bill in March. Typically, she said, the monthly bill is for the minimum amount, which is under $80.

By Lynsi Perry

Trinity Episcopal Church of Albany, located at the top of the “T” of North 2nd and Avenue B, will celebrate its 115th anniversary as a recognized congregation of the Protestant Episcopal Church on Sunday, April 27th.  Trinity was established as a frontier church 30 plus years before its official recognition from the Diocese. Parishioners met in homes and other churches prior to purchasing their current church building. 

By Melinda L. Lucas

Ten Albany High students are advancing to the Region II Academic Meet on Friday and Saturday at Grayson College in Denison.

Students qualified in seven contests by placing in the top three places individually or as part of first place teams at the district UIL meet last month.

Albany UIL coordinator Rick Davis is optimistic about several of the participants moving forward from the regional level.

Moran High School athlete Ellis Hise is finishing up a busy spring season with appearances at the district tennis tournament, regional track meet, and regional golf tournament.

He and Ezekiel Henson will travel to Angelo State University this Friday for the UIL regional academic meet. Henson will compete in the social studies event, while Hise advanced in ready writing.

Regional Track

Hise was Moran’s lone representative at the regional track meet held April 18-19 at Abilene Christian. He advanced out of district with a fourth place spot in the discus.

The Albany Chamber of Commerce is throwing its annual Membership Crawfish Boil and Fish Fry tonight, and all members are invited to join the celebration.

The event begins at 6:00 p.m. outside the Depot building, where Chamber members and guests can enjoy a full meal of boiled crawfish and shrimp, crispy fried fish, and a spread of sides. The Happy Grill food truck will be frying up fresh onion rings on site.