By Melinda L. Lucas

A quorum of the seven-member Shackelford County Hospital District’s board of directors met in a special session on Wednesday evening, May 5 to canvass votes from the May 1 election within the allotted time period, but also acted on one other item on the agenda.

The vote tallies posted on Election Day were upheld by the board, retaining incumbents Mike Folsom, Jo Ann Estridge, and Leslie Belcher.

By law, the canvass had to be completed by May 12, which would have fallen prior to the next regular board meeting on May 17.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Two new teachers were hired and two resignations accepted during an early morning meeting of the Albany ISD trustees.

Longtime local educator Sara Wilson submitted her resignation effective at the end of this school year, as did Audrey Faith, who has been at Nancy Smith Elementary School.

Hired for Wilson’s special education position was Missy Dutchover of Stamford, while Michelle Lowrey of Graham was offered the position of junior high science.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Albany city council members voted to move forward with plans to refinance the water plant bonds by adopting an ordinance at Monday night’s regular council meeting.

They also voted to extend the school zone to include Breckenridge Street in hopes of slowing down drivers a block from the high school campus.

Bond Refinancing

Brian Osowski of AMKO Advisors explained details about refinancing the water plant bonds in a phone conference call, stating that the estimated savings in the current low interest is more than $800,000.

By Melinda L. Lucas

After a short walk around the grounds, Shackelford County commissioners made a decision about where to place a granite monument inscribed with the 10 Commandments during a morning meeting on May 10.

The marker was approved last month after a citizen request and will be privately funded.

A motion by Lanham Martin, approved by all four commissioners, will place the monument on the west side of the Courthouse Square adjacent to Hwy. 283, on the east side of the inner walkway “at an exact point to be determined by the county judge.”

By Melinda A. Lucas

The staff of The Lions Roar, the student newspaper for Albany High School, earned a 16th consecutive Star Award along with over 40 individual honors announced by the Interscholastic League Press Conference (ILPC) on Saturday.

The annual state-level journalism convention was cancelled for a second year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but results of the judging were posted on Saturday.

By Sandy Morris

Junior 4-H member Johnnie Hise took part in the 4-H Fashion Show on Friday, April 30 in San Angelo and placed first in her division, advancing her to the state contest.

Hise will travel to College Station on June 8 to compete in her category of ‘Construction-Semi-Formal to Formal,’ according to Shackelford County extension agent and 4-H sponsor Kloey Painter.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Moran senior Tiffany Wade was crowned as Moran High School’s 2021 Prom Queen during last Saturday’s annual event held at the Moran Event Center.

The MHS prom queen, with nominees from the senior class, is elected by all the students who attend the event.

Wade is a lifelong resident of Moran except one year when she attended school in Kansas.

She has been involved in volleyball all four years of high school, as well as participating in track for three years, basketball for two seasons, and cross country the last two years.

By Sandy Morris

The annual field day for Nancy Smith Elementary School preschool through sixth grade students returns this year and is set for Monday, May 24 at the City Park.

Students will begin being bused to the park at 9:00 a.m. with events starting afterward, according to NSES administrative assistant Stephanie Gleitz.

Events for the students will include sack races, hurdles, tug-of-war, water kickball, and water relay. 

By Sandy Morris

The Albany Study Club will host a Quilt Show at the Whitney Theatre during the Fort Griffin Fandangle, June 18, 19, 25, and 26.

The show is free to the public and will be open from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m.

To submit a quilt or handmade piece for the show, exhibitors can leave their project in a plastic bag with a completed information card at the Shackelford County Library.

The club also will be selling raffle tickets for a quilt made by Sandi Conway and quilted by Amy Folsom.

Albany baseball and softball team pictures that were cancelled last week due to the weather are currently being rescheduled by The Albany News.

Coach pitch teams will be taken on Saturday, May 15, and times will be set soon for girls softball.

T-ball and Little League packets are available now.