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.

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.

By Sandy Morris

& Melinda L. Lucas

Old Man Winter blew into Shackelford County with a vengeance Sunday morning with freezing drizzle, snow flurries, temperatures in the teens and low 20s, and a wind chill near zero.

Unfortunately, Sunday’s weather was only the beginning of the winter blast, as the remainder of the week has seen warnings in effect for wind chills falling into the negative 15 and 20 degree range and temperatures staying in the low teens and single digits, dipping down below zero several nights. 

By Melinda L. Lucas

A lengthy discussion on Monday morning to possibly adopt a local policy in connection with Texas Senate Bill 944, which updated laws around public information and retention, was tabled until the next meeting of the Shackelford County commissioners.

By Sandy Morris

The Albany Chamber is bringing back the Hereford Ball celebration 100 years after the original ball in 1921, and unfortunately, there are no longer any tickets available.

The event is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 27 at the Whitney Theater.

Chamber manager Mary Beth Jones said the tickets for the ball, which is a dress-up celebration of Shackelford County’s ranches and history, went fast. 

Patrick Henry (kneeling) exhibited his heavy weight cross barrow to a 10th place finish in the recent “Alternative” show in Fort Worth. Chloé Anderson also participated in the event, which drew a large number of exhibitors.

[EDITOR’S NOTE: David Waller, a 2007 graduate of Albany High School, is the Director of Stadium & Football Operations for the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic at AT&T Stadium. At the end of November, he and other members of the staff found themselves scrambling after the unexpected announcement that the Rose Bowl would be held in Texas.]

By David Hooks Waller

By Sandy Morris

Albany Sports Center took two cheer teams to the Varsity Spirit Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders National Championship in Arlington on Saturday, Feb. 6 and brought home awards in both the show team and elementary team divisions. 

ASC head coach Kourtnee Waters explained that the show team is made up of nine girls ages four to eight and teams in this division are not placed, but receive either an excellent or outstanding award.

By Sandy Morris

The Albany Independent School District will be closed on Monday, Feb. 15 with a staff development day scheduled for faculty members. 

Classes will resume at the normal times on Tuesday, Feb. 16. 

Classes will release on Friday, March 12, and this year’s Spring Break for Albany ISD is set for March 15-19. 

Moran ISD

Moran ISD also will be observing the holiday and will be closed on Monday, Jan. 15. Classes will resume at their regular  times on Tuesday. 

City of Albany

By Sandy Morris

A fundraiser has been set up to help Albany High School athlete Wesley Estridge continue to compete at area powerlifiting meets.  

Dark heather gray t-shirts supporting Estridge are being sold for $20 each.

The shirts are short sleeved and have the Albany Lions logo on the front of the shirt with Estridge’s name, sponsors, and
“Train Insane or Remain the Same” on the back. 

The order form is posted on the Albany Athletic Booster Club Facebook page or by contacting Blake or Val Estridge.