By Sam Waller

Bethel Assembly wil hold The Patch fall cele­bration on Saturday, Oct. 2 at the Bank Park.

The pumpkin market will start at 10:00 a.m. and last until 2:00 p.m. or until the pumpkins sell out.

This year’s event will feature a decorated pumpkin parade that will begin at 11:00 a.m. Three cash prizes will be awarded. To enter, contestants can simply bring their completed pumpkins and walk the designated parade route. All pumpkins will compete in one division.

By Sam Waller

Closet Angels will reopen for business on Monday, Sept. 20, while Neighbors in Need will be operating on an appointment-only basis for the foreseeable future, according to Closet Angels director Lori Reames.

Reames said Closet Angels will be open from 12:00 noon to 6:00 p.m. Monday and 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Wednesday.

“We’ll be open, but with limited help,” she said. “We’’re understaffed, but if someone really needs something, come on in.”

Reames said the staffing problems could cause delays in providing service.

By Sam Waller

Two Albany students caught calves Saturday at the West Texas Fair and Rodeo calf scramble in Abilene, earning money to put toward the purchase of future agriculture projects.

Judson Rogers finished second, earning $950, while Donald McCullough earned $550 with a 10th place finish.

“With the money they won in the calf scramble, they will be able to purchase animals and show them in the 2022 West Texas Fair and Rodeo,” Albany High School agriculture teacher Chris Beard said. “They’ll have to turn in monthly reports on their projects.”

By Donnie A. Lucas

Almost all students needing extra help are now able to attend one of three after-school sessions offered at both Nancy Smith Elementary and the Albany Jr./Sr. High campus.

All students in grades 7-12 can attend Lion Aca­demy on Monday through Thursday this year, while fifth and sixth graders stay after school for Cub Academy. 

The local ASPIRE program sponsored by ResourceCare will also begin at the grade school for third and fourth graders beginning Monday, Sept. 20.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Application forms for Albany Chest funds are now available at both local banks and The Albany News, with a deadline of Friday, Oct. 1.

Forms can also be requested by email at news@thealbanynews.net.

Funding requests, which are mandatory to be able to receive Chest monies, will be reviewed at the board’s next meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 6, when a goal will be set.

Letters to previous Chest donors and new prospects will be mailed soon after the Oct. 6 meeting to kick off the 2021 campaign.

By Sam Waller

Shackelford County 4-H kicked off its new year with an organizational meeting Monday at The Feed Store.

Shackelford County extension agent Kelsey Bell said the gathering drew about 80 attendees with 23 4-Hers enrolling in projects.

“We had seven adult volunteers who gave out information about their respective programs that they’re running this year,” Bell said. “Parents were given information about what the year is going to look like in each of those programs.”

By Sam Waller

The Albany Chamber of Commerce directors are continuing with preparations to put up fall street decorations, and they are also taking entries for the inaugural Home of the Hereford Cookoff and Cornhole Tournament.

Decorations will go up on Saturday, Sept. 25, Chamber manager Mary Beth Jones said.

“Anybody is welcome to come help,” she said.

Jones said between 150 and 200 decorations will be put on display.

By Donnie A. Lucas

New band uniforms for the Ragin’ Red Band arrived this week, continuing an effort to overhaul the group’s sound and look with new or refurbished instruments in order to increase participation in the program.

A total of 75 uniforms were being unboxed on Tuesday, in preparation to be debuted on Friday, Sept. 24 at the Albany vs. Anson football game.

The new suits have a top that is mostly red and white with the Albany Lion logo, along with gray pants.

By Melinda L. Lucas

On a unanimous vote, the board of directors for the Shackelford County Appraisal District approved a 2022 budget of $397,937 during an early morning meeting Sept. 10.

All seven directors were present and voted in favor, including Robert Skelton, Clint Bumguardner, Russell Chapman, John Tate, Bruce Bailey, Lanham Martin, and James Shelton.

The board also acccepted the bank bid from First National Bank and approved a few changes in the employee handbook.

By Melinda L. Lucas

The Shackelford County Hospital District’s board of directors will meet next Monday, Sept. 20. in expectation of adopting the $2.8 million budget that was proposed Aug. 30, along with the “no-new-revenue” tax rate of 20.67 cents. 

The required public hearing for the budget will be held prior to the vote.