By Melinda L. Lucas

Albany council members met briefly on Monday, June 13, approving one regular agenda item to extend the city’s electrical services with Reliant another four years.

Mayor Susan Montgomery related a couple of other issues that had been reported to her since the last meeting, including concerns from citizens about unlicensed minors driving golf carts on city streets.

She said that Police Chief Mike House will give a warning for the first stop, then a ticket to the parents of the juvenile if stopped a second time.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Shackelford County commissioners decided to take the next step toward resurfacing of the Courthouse parking lot during a meeting on Monday, June 13, with plans to advertise for bids in the next month.

Lanham Martin and Steve Riley were given authority to check with several local dirt contractors to get an idea of what is needed in order to write the specs for the bid, which will be split – one for dirt work and another for asphalt.

Other Business

By Donnie A. Lucas

Visitors and locals alike will be able to partake of a variety of activities offered in Albany this weekend and next during performance dates for the Fort Griffin Fandangle.

Free events will be offered on all four of those days including a quilt show, tracker organ concert, calliope concert, car museum, viewing the Picket House, longhorns on the Courthouse Square, a film at the Aztec Theater, exhibits and activities at the Old Jail Art Center, plus several others.

Shopping will be available at downtown stores and from vendors at the Bank Park.

By Sam Waller

Albany residents volunteered their time, equipment, and manpower Saturday, June 11 for the Albany Chamber of Commerce’s community cleanup day.

“I had a great turnout from my board, and several community people chipped in,” Chamber manager Mary Beth Jones said. “We got a lot done.”

Jones said volunteers were able to complete the list of jobs that needed doing.

“We had a lot of weedeaters and lawn mowers, and Chris Beard had a tractor,” she said. “People were still putting stuff in the dumpsters on Tuesday. Cleanup is continuing.”

By Donnie A. Lucas

The number of positive tests results for COVID-19 dropped again, with just two patients last week.

County judge Bob Skelton reported Tuesday that a total of eight tests were administered for the period of June 6-10, with two positive results.

The prior week, a total of eight tests were given with three positives.

Three weeks ago, a total of nine positive results were tested by one of the two local testing sites.

By Donnie A. Lucas

A free concert by the Houston Boychoir is planned for Thursday (tonight) at the Aztec Theater at 7:30 p.m.

The special performance is hosted by Dr. Richard Stasney and the Stasney Cook Ranch.

The stop in Albany is part of the 60-year-old group’s summer tour entitled “On the Road Again.”

According to artistic director Carole Nelson, the program will include a variety of music including classical, spiritual, and even some Texas songs.

The group is making stops in Bastrop, Arlington, Carlsbad, New Mexico, Albany, and Abilene.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Athletic Booster Club is again seeking volunteers to work its seat-cushion fundraiser during the Fort Griffin Fandangle.

Albany junior high and high school athletes traditionally rent seat cushions for $1 at Fandangle performances and collect them after the show.

All incoming seventh through 12th graders and parents are asked to help with the fundraiser. Volunteers do not have to be involved in Fandangle performances in order to work.

By Donnie A. Lucas

A large group of Albany students and sponsors will travel to San Diego later this month to compete in the FCCLA National Leadership Conference.

The group of 12 students will attend the conference on June 29 through July 1 to either compete or present projects.

Seven junior high students will be participating in the parliamentary procedure contest for the Level 1 division, which includes junior high students. The local group took first at the state conference to earn the trip to nationals.

By Sam Waller

A Shackelford County 4-Her brought home big prizes last week from the Texas 4-H State Roundup in College Station.

Johnnie Hise placed second in the Fashion Show on Tuesday, June 7, while the horse judging team placed ninth overall with team member Faith Fry earning two individual ribbons on Wednesday, June 8.

Hise’s fashion project was a vintage swimsuit ensemble which included a beach robe and wraparound skirt.

“I’m super proud of Johnnie,” Shackelford County extension agent Kelsey Bell said. “She did an amazing job. I’m so happy for her.”

Albany and Shackelford County had a sizeable contingent this week at the Big Country Fellowship Athletes Leadership Camp at Hardin-Simmons University.

Local FCA representative Paul Johnston had about 200 attendees, 12 of them from Albany.