By Sam Waller

The Albany Chamber of Commerce will conduct its annual business meeting on Feb. 4 with two board positions up for election at the Beehive.

“Ramby Anderson and Clayton Snyder’s terms are up, but I feel like they will be nominated again,” Chamber manager Mary Beth Jones said. “The nominating committee will get together and see who they want to nominate.”

By Donnie A. Lucas

The filing period for local elections opened Wednesday for several entities such as the school board, city council and hospital board and will continue until Friday, Feb. 18.

The election date set by the state for all local elections is Saturday, May 7.

Candidates have the 30-day filing period to sign up for a spot on one of the local boards or councils.

By Melinda L. Lucas

At Monday’s regular monthly council meeting, city manager Billy Holson went over budget items that needed to be amended before the end of the budget year on March 31, 2022, stating that a big part of the increases on both the expense and revenue sides are due to donations in different areas, including the golf course, parks, the Aztec Theater, and the fire department.

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, according to chief appraiser Clayton Snyder.

Taxpayers have the option of mailing in their payment as well as coming inside. However, if anyone is concerned about COVID exposure, they can use the dropbox (left of the main door), mail, or go to to the SCAD website (shackelford cad.com) for online payments. 

By Sam Waller

Final preparations for the Shackelford County Youth and Livestock show are underway with a workday scheduled for 8:00 a.m. Saturday at the show barn.

The 2022 show starts with weigh-in on Thursday, Jan. 20 and runs through the sale on Saturday, Jan. 22.

All exhibitors are encouraged to participate in this weekend’s workday, with cleaning supplies such as window cleaner to be provided.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The number of local ­COVID-19 cases has snowballed over the last week, with test results increasing four-fold and rising.

According to the weekly update from the county judge’s office, a total of 109 tests were administered last week with 69 positive results – the highest single week total since the start of the pandemic almost two years ago.

Albany ISD nurse Lisa Russell reported a total of 18 cases last Friday, but the number doubled to 36 as of Tuesday.

By Sam Waller

Harmony Slaughter and Arren Hawley were crowned queen of the Winter Formal as Moran High School students celebrated the end of the fall semester.

The event, which was sponsored by Moran’s senior class, was held Dec. 18 at the Moran Community Center.

Moran principal Jo Hise said the formal  event was open to all high school students and drew about 35 attendees, including a number of out-of-town guests.

“We had a good number show up, and they had a good time,” she said.

Hunters still have a chance to bag a trophy during special seasons on the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department calender.

Youth-Only (16 and younger) and Special Late white-tailed deer seasons run through Jan. 16. A Youth-Only fall turkey season also is open through Jan. 16.

Regular duck season concludes Jan. 30.

Quail season continues through Feb. 27.

The youth-only license costs $7 and may be purchased online or at several Albany retailers.

By Sam Waller

Registration for Little Dribblers basketball got underway this week for the upcoming season.

“Registration forms went out (Tuesday) morning, and I hope to get those back by Friday,” league organizer Joe Tidwell said. “Hopefully, we can get players drafted the week after that, and everybody will have a couple of weeks to practice before the season starts in February.”

Tidwell said games start Feb. 5 and will continue each Saturday through the end of the month.

By Melinda L. Lucas

The first Chamber luncheon of 2022 is scheduled for Friday, Jan. 7 at the Beehive.

Chamber luncheons are held each Friday from 12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m. and are open to anyone who would like to get involved and help with the various Chamber projects throughout the year.

For more information on any current or future Chamber events, contact Jones at the Chamber office at 325-762-2525.