By Melinda L. Lucas

The City of Albany will test the emergency warning siren at 12:00 noon on Wednesday, Jan. 12, as it does the second Wednesday of every month, depending on the weather.

The tests keep citizens familiar with the three warning sounds, and they are also used to make sure that the siren, computer, software, and radios are working correctly.

The siren should sound one of the three emergency tones at noon on that day, but the siren is not tested if the weather is questionable, according to local fire chief Travis Gardenhire. 

By Sam Waller

Voter registration cards for Shackelford County were mailed out on Tuesday, Jan. 4, in time for the March 1 primary elections.

“We have to have them postmarked by Jan. 12, so we got them out in plenty of time for that deadline,” said Belinda Perez in the county voter registration office.

Anyone wishing to register to vote in one of the primaries has until Jan. 31 to do so. State law requires voters to be registered 30 days before voting in an election.

By Sam Waller

Volunteers from Matthews Memorial Presbyterian Church and the rest of the community served approximately 120 meals as part of the annual MMPC Christmas Feast.

Event organizer Tamara Trail said recipients of the meals were fairly evenly split between those who came to the church on Christmas Day and those who had food delivered, covering a broad spectrum of the community.

By Sam Waller

Approximately two dozen junior high and high school students, along with adult leaders, had to deal with a last-minute change of plans but were able to enjoy their ski trip over the Christmas holiday.

Matthews Memorial Presbyterian Church pastor Anthony Ceder said the annual trip wound up at a different resort in a different state.

By Donnie A. Lucas

A group of registered nurses from Lubbock will present a pair of programs next Thursday, Jan. 13 both for secondary school students and the public on the dangers of using illegal and synthetic drugs, including the use of vaping products.

Students in grades 7-12 will participate in the program, which is conducted by the University Medical Center’s Nurses Educating on Illegal Drugs and Synthetics (NEIDS),  at 11:00 a.m. in the high school auditorium.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Albany High School’s annual Winter Formal is set for Saturday, Jan. 8 starting at 8:00 p.m. at the Whitney Theatre, with the presentation of the court at 9:00 p.m.

Each of the four high school classes have nominated a senior boy and girl for the honor of Mr. and Miss AHS, with the crowning serving as the highlight of the evening.

The three lower classes have also selected nominees for Winter Formal Prince and Princess for each class.

By Sam Waller

Commencement may be more than four months away, but fundraising for Albany’s 2022 Project Graduation is moving into high gear.

Kenzie Fairchild, one of the parents organizing the event, said the first of three fundraisers scheduled for January started this week.

“On Wednesday, all students elementary through high school received order forms for our Project Graduation Valentine sale,” Fairchild said. “We’ll have Oreo truffles and little gifts like stuffed animals. Those forms will be due Jan. 31 and items will be delivered on Feb. 14.”

By Sam Waller

The Old Jail Art Center has received a pledge from the Charles E. Jacobs Foundation to match up to $100,000 for the museum’s Annual Appeal fundraising effort.

The pledge is quadruple  that made by the foundation the last two years.

“Everything is going really well with the Annual Appeal and we appreciate all the people giving,” Susan Montgomery, OJAC’s membership and development coordinator, said. “And there’s still time to give.”

By Donnie A. Lucas

Pick-up dates for the January distribution of the commodity food program are set for today (Thursday) in Moran and tomorrow for Albany recipients.

The monthly food program will be held from 9:00 until 11:00 a.m. at the Moran City Hall today, and again Friday from 9:00 until 11:00 a.m. in Albany at the Justice of the Peace office on the courthouse square.

All current participants were sent an application form for the 2022 program that must be completed and returned in order to be certified as qualifying for the program during the coming year.

By Sam Waller

Planning continues for the Shackelford County livestock show with fundraisers underway and a work day at the county show barn scheduled.

The show will be held Jan 20-22.

Bronco Askew, president of the Shackelford Youth and Livestock Association, said a finance committee meeting on Monday, Jan. 10, is the next step.

“We’re going to try to finalize getting the monies appropriated,” he said. “We’ve sent out fundraising letters, and now everybody’s noses are to the grindstone getting ready.”