AHS play cast prepares for district competition

By Sandy Morris

The cast and crew of Albany High School’s One Act Play attended a festival held at Clyde High School on Wednesday, Feb. 10.

OAP director Jenny Scott has announced a public performance of the show at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, March 1 at the Albany High School auditorium. 

Scott said earlier this week that local students did a great job performing at the Feb. 10 festival, while also getting valuable feedback from the judges.

Albany News

Weather causes school closure

By Sandy Morris

With many roadways still covered by a combination of snow and ice, Albany ISD officials decided late Wednesday morning to cancel all classes for the rest of the week. Students and staff had already been out of school the first three days of the week.

When school dismissed last Friday, AISD administrators knew the weather could possibly be an issue for when classes were originally set to resume on Tuesday, Feb. 16 after the President’s Day holiday on Monday.

Vehicle sales tax can be transferred here

By Melinda L. Lucas

Local residents who buy a vehicle or a trailer can help the Shackelford County budget by requesting that the title transfer be done at the Shackelford County Courthouse, thereby sending a portion of the taxes paid on the vehicle or trailer to county coffers.

Car dealers are supposed to ask buyers where they want the transfer to take place, but a lot do not, according to Belinda Perez, Shackelford County Tax Assessor - Collector Chief Deputy.

Albany News

Museum continues to celebrate its membership

By Sandy Morris

Despite the weather, the OJAC is offering a free art activity kit again his week, with children ages four to 12 invited to make a dream ladder toy.

Kits are available from the special activity trunk outside of the museum gate through Sunday, Feb. 21. 

Each week, the OJAC has kits for new types of crafts in the trunk. 

The activities combine visual art with STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) with motor-skill development, and social studies or language arts themes. 

Albany News

Old Jail’s spring exhibitions to open next weekend

By Sandy Morris

Two new exhibitions will open to the public at the Old Jail Art Center starting Saturday, Feb. 27 and run through Saturday, May 22.

The museum is open limited hours at present, and no public event is planned because of COVID precautions.

Both exhibitions are available for viewing from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. 

Penumbra

Billy Hassell’s Penumbra exhibit features large scale paintings offering perspectives and views of animals and nature that are rarely seen or are extinct.

Hospital election set with opposed race

By Sandy Morris

The Shackelford County hospital district will be the only entity holding an election on Saturday, May 1, as other local races were uncontested following the end of a month-long filing period.

Filing ended last Friday afternoon, Feb. 12.

Other local governing bodies, including the Albany and Moran city councils, Albany and Moran school boards, and the Fort Griffin SUD board, do not have any contested races and are expected to cancel their elections. 

Hospital Board

Albany News

Tests available

By Melinda L. Lucas

Free COVID rapid tests are still available at the Shackelford County EMS station Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

The tests are free, but county citizens must have a valid drivers license and an email address in order to receive a test. 

For more information or to schedule a test, contact Shackelford County EMS at 325-762-3313.

Albany News

AISD session rescheduled

By Melinda L. Lucas

Albany ISD superintendent Jonathan Scott announced at the end of last week that Monday’s regular school board meeting had been postponed until Feb. 22.

“With the anticipated winter weather headed our way this weekend and Monday, I have rescheduled the board meeting to the following Monday,” said Scott on Friday.

Albany News

Hospital board meets briefly

By Melinda L. Lucas

Members of the Shackelford County Hospital District’s board of directors met on Tuesday night, Feb. 16 with the primary purpose of approving payment of bills, and that’s about all they had time for, with a nearby house fire interrupting the session.

Board president Jo Ann Estridge said that a special session will need to be called before the next regular meeting scheduled March 15 in order for the directors to take care of several items that were on Tuesday’s agenda.

Albany News

Albany woman perishes in fire

By Melinda L. Lucas

In addition to dealing with paralyzing cold during the last few days, Albany citizens have been stunned by two devastating house fires that took the life of a local woman and  completely destroyed both homes.

Melvina Irene Fryar was in her family home on Kenshalo Street when fire was reported around 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 16. She graduated from Albany High School in 1969 and had lived in Albany for most of her life.