By Melinda L. Lucas

An Albany blood drive is set for today, Sept. 22.

Hendrick Regional Blood Center will park the bloodmobile at First Baptist Church at the usual time from 1:00 to 6:00 p.m.

The blood center depends on volunteer blood donors to supply 100 percent of the blood that is used for patient care at 17 area hospitals.

Blood center officials said that there is always a need for blood donors of all types. In particular, officials said those who have O+ and O- are needed.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Pre-ordered photo packets taken of junior high football and volleyball players by The Albany News are ready for pickup, along with those of high school athletes taken last month.

Only packages that have already been paid or could be charged to an account in good standing were printed. Others can be ordered when paid.

By Sam Waller

Alli Scott was crowned homecoming queen with Tyler Waddell named homecoming king during ceremonies at Moran’s football game against Mullin on Friday, Sept. 16.

Moran cheerleaders held a homecoming dance  at Moran Events Center following the game.

Free Lunches

The Moran school board voted at its Monday, Sept. 19 meeting to provide lunch for all MISD students at no cost.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Topping off a two-week exchange between county elected officials that occasionally caused tempers to flare, county attorney Rollin Rauschl made a statement on Monday that he intends to absorb a loss in income “to the extent of $19,000.”

After being notified by the State Comptroller’s office in August that the state has been sending the wrong amount for its portion of the CA salary for the past two years, county judge Robert Skelton and the commissioners had looked at a couple of options to try to make up at least part of the difference.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Members of the Old Jail Art Center will get an up-close look at three new exhibits during a dinner reception on Saturday, Sept. 17, with the galleries open to the public during regular museum hours.

The staff at Old Jail Art Center has been busy preparing for the weekend’s opening.

The opening will start with refreshments, viewing, and conversation on Saturday even­ing from 7:00 to 7:45 p.m. for OJAC members, with introductions and then dinner at 8:00 p.m.

Fall Features

By Melinda L. Lucas

A quorum of Albany city council members voted during the regular monthly meeting time on Monday, Sept. 12 to adopt the tax rate that had been proposed on Aug. 23.

Council members also looked at a possible “swap” of city-owned property near the water plant with acreage south of the airport.

Adopted Tax Rate

By Donnie A. Lucas

There will be a few changes in the 2022 Fall Fest sponsored by the Albany PTO, including the date, which has been moved ahead by a week to Saturday, Oct. 22.

A meeting was held Monday, Sept. 12 to iron out several other changes to be implemented this year.

The event will again be held in the parking lot at the elementary campus. It will start at 5:00 p.m. and end at 8:00 p.m.

By Melinda L. Lucas

The Shackelford County Hospital District’s board of directors will meet next Monday, Sept. 19. in expectation of adopting the almost $4 million budget that was proposed Aug. 24, along with the “no-new-revenue” tax rate of 19.24 cents.

The required public hearing for the budget will be held prior to the vote.

By Sam Waller

Albany FFA members earned high placings with their livestock entries last week at the West Texas Fair and Rodeo. Several more will be entering the show ring this week.

Gracie Price placed first in the Other Registered Breeds heifer class with her Maine-Anjou heifer. She also placed sixth in the class with her Chianina heifer.

Myleigh Leveridge placed third in the Breeding Shorthorn heifer class.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Several records were set at the 36th annual First Impressions pig sale benefitting the Shackelford County Youth and Livestock Association on Sunday, including the largest number of pigs sold, highest price, and the highest gross sales.

According to organizer Mike Parsons, a total of 123 head were sold, with 13 “no sales,” amounting to a total of $117,800 in sales.

But the biggest news at the sale was the record-shattering price of $20,000 paid for the grand champion boar pig. Last year, the top pig sold for $5,000.