By Melinda L. Lucas

With the 2021 “Red Ribbon Week” campaign winding down, organizers still have quite a bit more planned for local students on Thursday and Friday.

Red Ribbon Week in Albany this year began on Monday, Oct. 25. The annual campaign is recognized not only locally but across the nation. 

This is the 33rd straight year that the event has been conducted in Albany. The campaign is designed to draw as much attention as possible to the problems of drug and alcohol abuse, some of the leading causes of drug abuse, and its prevention.

By Sam Waller

Albany FFA member Kenzie Neve placed third with her Class 2 Market Steer earlier this month at the American Royal Livestock Show in Kansas City, Missouri.

“This show has grown to become one of the most prestigious livestock shows in the nation while striving to impact the future of agriculture by providing educational experiences and scholarships,” said Albany FFA sponsor and high school ag teacher Chris Beard.

Neve was the only Shackelford County student who made the long trip to the national show.

By Donnie A. Lucas

While traditional trick-or-treating will be held on Sunday evening, Oct. 31, local merchants and businesses will once again be handing out candy to local youth on Saturday afternoon, Oct. 30.

Participating businesses will be set up mostly in the main block of downtown from 2:30 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. on Saturday to hand out candy and treats to local students and preschoolers donning their spooky or cute Halloween attire.

By Melinda L. Lucas

About 25,000 tax statements are being mailed this week, as local property owners find out what they will owe in taxes for this year.

Chief appraiser Clayton Snyder at the Shackelford County Appraisal District (CAD) office stated that tax rates for all eight taxing entities have been entered and calculations completed.

Snyder reminded local taxpayers that if they receive multiple statements, the documents may arrive on different days.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Early voting for the Nov. 5 amendment election will end tomorrow, and registered voters who have not already cast their ballots are encouraged to participate in early voting this week or to vote on Election Day next Tuesday, Nov. 2.

At deadline time on Tuesday afternoon, there had been only 38 ballots cast compared with 660 at the same time last year during a presidential election.

By Sam Waller

Twenty-eight organizations have applied for funding from the Albany Chest.

Groups ranging from pre-school to senior citizens have submitted requests totaling more than $56,000. The goal, however, has been set at $46,000, with a little over $10,000 contributed so far.

In each issue during the next few weeks, a brief look at two or three benefitting organizations will give prospective donors an idea of their activities.

First Love Day Care

First Love Day Care is a self-contained organization located at First Baptist Church.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The Albany High School band will travel to Amarillo on Saturday to compete in the area UIL Marching Contest with a chance to advance to the state contest.

Albany is one of 21 Class 2A bands vying for four spots advancing to the sate marching contest.

The local musicians will take the field at Dick Bevins Stadium at 4:00 p.m. for the preliminaries.

The top 10 bands will compete again starting at 6:45 p.m. to determine the state qualifiers.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The number of positive COVID-19 cases continued to trend downward slightly last week, according to a report issued by county judge Bob Skelton, with booster doses now available locally for eligible residents.

A combined total of 41 tests were conducted locally during the week of Oct. 18-22, with 13 positive results. That is two fewer positive cases than the week before which was 15 positive out of 38 persons tested.

By Sam Waller

More than a dozen game booths as well as several other activities and plenty of food options will be among the attractions Saturday evening for the Albany Parent-Teacher Organization’s Fall Fest at Nancy Smith Elementary School.

The event, which is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., benefits several educational endeavors for Albany schools and is expected to draw hundreds of students and their parents.

By Melinda L. Lucas

During Monday’s meeting of the Shackelford County commissioners, county judge Robert Skelton formally announced that he will retire at the end of his current four-year term.

Observing the regular session, held at the Aztec Theater because of district court that day, were 10 local 4-H officers, along with county extension agent Kelsey Bell.

Bell explained that the 4-Hers were attending in order to learn more about parliamentary procedure.