By Donnie A. Lucas

Tickets are still available for the upcoming Chris Knight concert set for Saturday, Feb. 5 at the Aztec Theater.

The performance is sponsored by Albany Live, a nonprofit organized last fall to bring live musical events to Albany. Knight’s show is the second in an ongoing singer/songwriter series that will continue monthly through July.

“There are still a little over 100 seats remaining for the Chris Knight concert,” said Trey Davis, a committee member handling band relations and ticket sales for this performance.

By Sam Waller

The 2022 Shackelford Youth and Livestock Association’s county livestock show, which was dedicated to the memory of Monte Lewis, wrapped up Saturday, Jan. 22, with a premium sale for show participants.

A total of 236 animal projects were exhibited by 130 Shackelford County 4-Hers and FFA students from Albany and Moran. The numbers were very close to last year’s 240 projects and 132 exhibitors.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The number of positive ­COVID-19 test results dropped significantly last week to 68 positive cases based on tests administered at the three local testing sites.

A total of 110 tests were given for the week of Jan. 17-21, according to the weekly report issued by county judge Bob Skelton.

The number of new cases reached a one-week high the prior week with 116 positive results out of the 235 tests administered Jan. 10-14.

By Sam Waller

Moran will have a school holiday on Friday, Jan. 21, so students may participate in the county livestock show.

It will be the second school holiday of the week, following Martin Luther King Day on Monday, Jan. 17.

The next school holiday will be Presidents Day on Feb. 21.

Tractor Contest

Moran High School student Caleb York participated in a tractor tech competition Saturday at Katy despite the rest of the Moran team dropping out because of illness, which also caused a boys basketball game to be rescheduled.

By Sam Waller

The Shackelford County 4-H Club will have seven teams comprising almost  30 members competing on Wednesday, Jan. 26 at the District 7 Food Challenge in San Angelo.

The district food show is one of three events on the club calendar to wrap up January following this week’s county livestock show.

Also on the schedule are the first meeting for Shotgun, led by Aaron Hinshaw, on Tuesday, Jan. 25, and a dog care clinic on Thursday, Jan. 28, at Lively Dog House.

By Sam Waller

Shackelford County extension agent Kelsey Bell  will offer a Private Pesticide Applicator Program on Wednesday, Feb. 2.

Bell said the training  is specifically for those seeking a Texas Department of Agriculture private applicator license and is not continuing education unit training.

By Sam Waller

Albany’s Cub Scout Pack 255 will hold its annual Pinewood Derby at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 24 at the Scout Hut.

Scouts from Tiger through Webelos are eligible to compete with cars carved from a standard pine block.

“We pick up the kits with the rules inside them from the Abilene Scout office and give them to the kids,” Cubmaster Jacey Shack said. “The kits include instructions on how to build them, what they should weigh and all the other rules. The Cubs show up on race day and have to weigh their cars in.”

By Sam Waller

Project Graduation fundraising hit a bump last week when a planned bake sale was postponed because of illness sweeping through the Albany High School senior class, but other projects are on track, according to organizer Kenzie Fairchild.

Orders for the Valentine’s Sale will be taken through Jan. 31, Fair­child said, while a chicken spaghetti takeout lunch is still planned for Jan. 30. Lunches will be served to go from 11:30 a.m. until sold out at The Feed Store. There is no set charge for the meals, but donations will be accepted.

By Melinda L. Luca

A blood drive is scheduled to take place in Albany next Thursday, Jan. 27.

Hendrick Regional Blood Center will park its bloodmobile at First Baptist Church at the usual time from 1:00 until 6:00 p.m.

The blood center depends on volunteer blood donors to supply 100 percent of the blood that is used for patient care at 17 area hospitals.

Blood center officials said that there is an urgent need of blood donors of all types. In particular, officials said those who have O+ and O- are needed.

By Sam Waller

Girls from eighth grade through high school can attend the FCA’s Weekend of Champions camp Jan. 29-30 at Solid Rock Encampment near Eastland.

A boys’ camp is scheduled there Feb. 18-20.

The girls’ camp is designed to equip young ladies with truth, encouragement, and fellowship, according to Betsy Spraberry, who helps with local FCA events. FCA membership is not a requirement to attend the program.