By Sandy Morris

Even though it looked as if the Albany Community Chest would fall short of its 2020 goal, donations poured in at the end of the year, surpassing the goal of $41,000 and closing out at $52,550.

Albany Chest board members met Wednesday, Jan. 13 and decided to proceed with the board’s original recommendations allocating $42,250 plus an extra $350 to each organization across the board for a total distribution amount of $51,000.

The Albany Chest still has a total of $2,657.59 in emergency funds remaining in reserves.

By Sandy Morris

Shackelford County residents who have noticed missing items or property around their homes or businesses may be able to reclaim their items.

The Albany Police Department was dispatched on Thursday, Jan. 14 to the 700 block of North 9th Street in Albany in reference to theft.

Albany PD officers took a theft of property report from the owner and then began to search for the vehicle identified by the reporting party as possibly being involved in the crime. 

By Melinda L. Lucas

Shackelford County taxpayers will save more than $800,000 over the next 11 years after county commissioners finalized new bonds for the Law Enforcement Center during Tuesday’s regular meeting.

Vince Viaille, managing director for Specialized Public Finance, reviewed the bidding process, stating that BNY Mellon Capital Markets submitted the winning bid at a true interest cost of 0.89 percent, resulting in a savings of $842,569 as a result of the refinancing.

By Sandy Morris

The filing period for local board elections is now underway and as of press time on Tuesday, a total of six candidates had turned in their paperwork for various positions that will be decided on May 1.

There is not a fee to run for the local offices, but prospective candidates must file by 5:00 p.m. on Feb. 12 to have their names listed on the ballot.

Albany City Council

By Sandy Morris

After months of preparation, the annual Shackelford County Livestock Show will take place starting Thursday, Jan. 21 and ending Saturday afternoon, Jan. 23 after the premium sale.

Albany and Moran FFA and 4-H exhibitors are expected to show close to 250 entries at the Shackelford County Youth Livestock Show barn this week.

Weigh-In

The livestock show will start on Thursday, Jan. 21 with weigh-in for hogs, lambs, and goats followed by weigh-in for poultry, rabbits, and cattle on Friday, Jan. 22. 

By Melinda L. Lucas

As is typical, property tax payments at the Shackelford County Appraisal District accelerated just before the end of the year and have continued to come in steadily even with limited access at the SCAD lobby, according to chief appraiser Clayton Snyder.

“We’ve been busy since the first part of December, and it’s picked up this month,” said Snyder, who added that the front door remains locked because of COVID concerns.

The youth basketball league boys played at home last Saturday.

The sixth grade team lost to Hawley 41-14 in their first game. Scoring were Connor Smith 6, Colter Edgar 4, Zane Green 2, and Levi New 2.

The team won their second game against Jim Ned Red, 25-13. Scoring were Green 9, Edgar 8, Smith 6, and Jayden Green 2.

The fifth grade team won both games Saturday, defeating Jim Ned 37-8 in the first round. Scoring were Clay Chapman 18, Aiden Vickers 14, Graham Ceder 3 and Senio Togia 2.

In the second game, Albany picked up a 31-4 win over Eula White.

By Sandy Morris

For the sixth year in a row, trainers, owners, and highly skilled hunting dogs from across Texas and surrounding states are expected to travel to the Crooked Tree Ranch in Shackelford County for the Region 7 American Field Trial Clubs of America (AFTCA) Amateur All-Age Championship and the M.G. Perkins Amateur All-Age Derby Classic.

The competition will begin at 8:00 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 22. The winner of the championship will receive an original painting of the winning dog by artist Leah Brigham. 

By Sandy Morris

The Albany Band Boosters met on Tuesday, Jan. 12 to discuss a possible high school band trip.  

In order for the band to take a trip, there must be some type of educational component, and AISD band director Will Vaughan shared ideas of what those components might be, such as working with another band or band director or giving a performance. 

The boosters also discussed taking the junior high band on a trip. 

Typically, the junior high band takes a trip as a reward for participating or performing in a contest. 

By Sandy Morris

Specialized subscription boxes are in big demand as many people are limiting their outings and social activities.  

In order to continue to provide patrons with opportunities to participate in some type of workshop, the Old Jail Art Center has created a virtual workshop subscription series. 

The series includes four workshops during the spring semester plus a free summer bonus. 

Two options are available with #StayHomeStudio for teens and adults and #StayHomeStudioKIDS for ages seven to 12.