By Melinda L. Lucas

The hiring of several new staff members and acceptance of one resignation came toward the end of the June 21 meeting of the Albany ISD school board.

The trustees also went over the preliminary EOC and STAAR results for 2021 and talked about the spending plan for a federal grant application.

Personnel Changes

Supt. Jonathan Scott reported that he had already offered contracts to three teachers, based on the authority given him by the board at the May meeting.

By Jillian Lucas

The final two performances of the 83rd annual Fort Griffin Fandangle are set to take place this weekend with shows on Friday, June 25 and Saturday, June 26.

Tickets are still available for both shows with limited box seat availability as well. 

The gates to the outdoor Prairie Theater, located one half mile northwest of Albany on FM 1084, will open at 7:00 p.m., with performances starting at 8:30 p.m. both evenings. 

Fandangle Tickets

By Donnie A. Lucas

A new Albany business located adjacent but outside of the city limits has been causing quite a stink with neighboring residents.

Numerous reports and complaints about an odor of decaying animals among other descriptions have been reported by residents on the north and east sides of Albany, and the group believes it is being caused by a new rendering plant.

By Sidney Bartee

Community Vacation Bible School 2021 will begin Sunday evening, July 25 and will continue through Wednesday night  July 28 at First Baptist Church Albany. 

This year’s theme is “Destination Dig,” with the event sponsored by the Albany Ministerial Alliance. 

Parents are encouraged to save the date.

Supper is provided each evening, and a special pool party will follow the closing night.

Children will have recreation activities and a Bible lesson relating to the theme of the camp.

By Sandy Morris

The annual summer reading program sponsored by the Albany Study Club at the Shackelford County Library continues every Monday during the month of June.

Story hour is held from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. every Monday and is open from two to four year-olds up to fourth graders.

Children will hear a story, play games, and make crafts related to each week’s title.

Pre-K children must be accompanied by an adult during the hour.

Older children may be dropped off, but must be picked up promptly at 11:00 a.m.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Although no action was taken, Albany city council members looked at the possibility of raising water rates by $1 per 1,000 gallons, which will be $2 for the minimum charge per month.

City manager Billy Holson presented a chart that showed the average rates in similarly sized cities across the state. In communities 2,000 or less, the average cost per 5,000 gallons is $45.39, whereas Albany charges $30 per 5,000 gallons.

Sewer rates for cities of 2,000 or less show to be an average of $28.50, compared with $18.25 for Albany.

By Sandy Morris

Moran’s monthly country and western musical will continue this month on Saturday, June 26 from 5:00 to 10:00 p.m. at the Moran Community Center.

Moran singer-songwriter M.L. “Marty” Clifford is coordinating the event, which was first held in the spring of 2019.

Clifford plans to hold the musical on the fourth Saturday of each month, free of charge to the public.

Proceeds will benefit local organizations such as the fire department and the Moran city park, said Clifford.

By Sandy Morris

Local 4-H member Johnnie Hise took part in the state 4-H Fashion Show on Tuesday, June 8 in College Station. 

Hise placed first on April 30 in San Angelo in her division which advanced her to the state contest.

There were eight contestants in the category of Construction-Semi-Formal to Formal, according to Hise.

“We are still waiting on our scorecards, but I wasn’t in the top three, so I won’t advance to Nationals,” said Hise. “Overall, there were about 50 people competing in different divisions.”

By Sandy Morris

A recent Albany High School graduate competed in the Texas High School Rodeo Association Finals that took place last week in Abilene at the Taylor County Coliseum. 

Contestant Addie Beth Denton had previously qualified at the Region 3 rodeo to compete in the state finals in goat tying.

Denton recorded a time of 7.29 seconds to put her in third place in the first go-round at state.

Denton’s mother, Dena Denton said the second go-round didn’t go as well as the first. 

By Sandy Morris

The Albany Athletic Booster Club is looking for volunteers for the first fundraiser of the year.

The Albany junior and senior high athletes traditionally rent seat cushions at Fandangle. 

Guests are greeted and offered a cushion for a $1 rental, and then the cushions are collected after the show.

All incoming seventh to 12th graders and parents are asked to help with the fundraiser. 

Volunteers do not have to be involved in Fandangle to rent cushions.