By Donnie A. Lucas

With just over a week remaining in the filing period for several local May 7 elections, only a few candidates have signed up for a term on one of the six boards or councils subject to election.

Board member posts and council positions are subject to election by the public for both Albany and Moran school boards and city councils, along with the Shackelford County Hospital District and the Fort Griffin SUD.

Candidates have until Friday, Feb. 18 to have their names placed on the ballots for any of the local elections.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The number of positive COVID-19 cases administered locally continued to drop last week as the spike earlier in the month seems to be subsiding.

The number of positive test results dropped to 22 positive cases based on tests administered at the three local testing sites. However, the testing period was limited to only three days with the testing sites closed on Thursday and Friday due to the weather.

A total of 45 tests were given for the week of Jan. 24-28, according to the weekly report issued by county judge Bob Skelton.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Resound Networks, the company that was awarded a substantial bid to provide expanded and improved internet services in Shackelford County, has begun offering plans to both residential and commercial customers.

The company, headquartered in Pampa, Texas has completed at least initial steps to provide internet services in an eight-mile radius of Albany.

No information was available from the company on when services might be expanded to more rural areas of the county.

By Donnie A. Lucas

In-person early voting for the March 1 primary elections starts Monday, Feb. 14 and continues until Friday, Feb. 25, with balloting taking place in the first floor lobby of the Shackelford County Courthouse.

Early voting hours are 8:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. each weekday including Fridays during the period. The Courthouse will be closed on Monday, Feb. 21 for Presidents Day.

“Voting will be available through the lunch hour this year,” election clerk Cheri Hawkins said.

By Sam Waller

Registration is winding down for the upcoming youth baseball season with information available at Nancy Smith Elementary School.

Albany Little League organizer Paul Hamilton said the program is shifting to online registration this year, but information on how to register is available through the school.

Registration deadline for Little League Majors and Minors, Intermediate, and Junior leagues is Feb. 11.

Competition is also offered in T-Ball and Coach Pitch age groups.

By Sam Waller

The Moran FFA meat judging team finished 36th last week at the Fort Worth stock show in its first competition of the year.

Moran superintendent Dr. John Denson said the six-person team placed solidly in the middle of the field of about 60 entries.

“For their first contest of the year, I feel good about it,” Denson said.

The team consists of Alayna Baker, Cotten Campbell, Allen Hebel, Ellis Hise, Johnnie Hise, and Hannah Rogers.

Max Balliew of Albany was named on Tarleton State University’s Scholastic Honors Dean’s List for the Fall 2021 semester.

Max, the son of Tim and Candy Balliew, is majoring in Biomedical Science and should graduate May of 2023. He plans to go to Physicians Assistant school after he gets his bachelor’s degree. Currently, he is a student instructor for the statistics program at Tarleton.

[EDITOR’S NOTE: The following article was written by Shackelford County resident Faith Fry, who attended a Texas Brigade camp last summer.]

By Faith Fry

Education is what sets apart the leaders from the followers. A good leader is confident with what they have been taught and about what they have learned, which makes them more willing to teach others what they know.

By Sam Waller

Seven teams of Shackelford County 4-Hers brought home ribbons from the District 7 Food Challenge held Wednesday, Jan. 26, in San Angelo.

“That contest is really difficult,” Shackelford County extension agent Kelsey Bell said. “The kids have to learn some serious nutrition information.”

The event was held in conjunction with the San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo, so each team placed twice.

Bell said one factor is the 4-Hers must be able to prepare a wide variety of dishes at the district level.

By Sam Waller

The Big Country Fellowship of Christian Athletes’ Weekend of Champions girls camp drew 127 campers from eighth grade through high school for last weekend’s gathering at Eastland’s Solid Rock Encampment.

FCA organizer Paul Johnston of Albany said the group, which included 14 from Albany and four from Moran, represented 28 FCA chapters.

“We had kids from as far east as Van, which is four hours east of here,” Johnston said. “We had seven from Benjamin, which was was the farthest north.”