By Donnie A. Lucas

The Parliamentary Procedure team of the Albany FCCLA Chapter that took first place at the State Leadership Conference in Dallas recently, also won $1,000 scholarships from Texas Tech University.

The team competed in the Level I division for seventh and eighth graders, taking the top place in the state and earning a trip to the National Leadership Conference in San Diego in June.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Educators at Albany ISD are being provided snacks, meals, and gifts during Teacher Appreciation Week, May 2-6, courtesy of the Albany Parent Teacher Organization, parents of local students, and local businesses.

PTO organizer Malarie Sutton said teachers and staff members are getting something special each day this week, including meals and gifts.

“We are truly blessed to have each and every employee at AISD, and this is something that we can do to tell them thanks,” said Sutton.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The Albany sixth grade band, along with a few seventh graders who will move up to the high school band next year, competed in a Clyde Band Festival last week, earning three Division I ratings from the judges.

“I am really proud of this group,” band director William Vaughan said. “They took this seriously and acted very professionally during the entire trip. They were a great example for the school and their families.”

The band received three Division I ratings from the three judges, the highest that can be awarded.

By Sam Waller

Albany FFA teams claimed two Big Country District titles, a pair of top-five area finishes, and two top-25 area finishes recently at contests in Lubbock and Stephenville.

On Saturday, April 23, the plant ID team of Koy Cauble, Will LeMay, Laithe Leech, and Lute Wheeler competed at Texas Tech University. The team placed first at the district level, fourth in Area 4 and 24th in the state.

By Sam Waller

Shackelford County extension agent Kelsey Bell has two continuing education programs scheduled over the next two weeks.

On Wednesday, May 11, a private applicator pesticide license training course will be offered. The program will start at 8:30 a.m. at Shackelford County Courthouse.

On Tuesday, May 17, a brush control field day will be held at the Stasney Ranch.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Pick-up dates for the May distribution of the commodity food program will be Thursday, May 5 and Friday, May 6.

Certified eligible families in Moran should pick up their monthly commodity food at the Moran City Hall between 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, May 5.

Albany families who are eligible for the May food distribution program may pick up their food on Friday, May 6, from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. at the rear door of the JP office.

Members of the Albany Chamber of Commerce and other guests gather for a ceremonial ribbon cutting for the Green Gypsy Mobile Bar, one of the newest Chamber members. The event took place at the recent membership crawfish boil.

By Donnie A. Lucas

For the fourth week in a row, no new cases of COVID-19 were recorded at the three Albany testing sites last week, with the last positive case reported a month ago.

A total of just three tests were administered during the week of April 25-29, which is one test fewer than the previous week.

There were two hospitalized cases in Trauma Service Area D which includes Abilene and Brownwood hospitals, the same as the number of hospitalized cases the prior week.

By Melinda L. Lucas

With the school year winding down, summer is about to kick off, and ResourceCare is opening up registration for Day Camp 2022 to be held July 11-22.

ResourceCare programs assistant Ragan Riley said registration for the annual program will be held next week on Tuesday and Wednesday, May 10-11 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and then from 4:00-6:00 p.m. at the Albany Youth Center.

“All campers must be registered during these two days,” said Riley. “We will not be able to sign up children for the program after May 11.”

By Donnie A. Lucas

Shackelford County voters will have the chance to vote on two proposed amendments to the Texas constitution both dealing with property tax exemptions, along with deciding the fate of a slate of seven candidates for four seats on the Shackelford County Hospital Board.

All precincts will vote at the courthouse on Saturday, May 7 from 7:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m.

Voters are reminded to bring a government photo identification card in order to voter, along with their voter registration card.