By Melinda L. Lucas

Shackelford County commissioners continued trimming the budget for the 2021-2022 fiscal year that starts Oct. 1 and got their first look at preliminary tax rate numbers during a meeting held Monday, Aug. 9.

Final tax valuations are still pending from the Shackelford County Appraisal District.

For several hours on Monday, the elected officials continued to chip away at the expense side of the budget, hoping to have a document ready to propose in the next two to three weeks.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Chamber of Commerce will begin taking registration for its annual community garage sale next week and is seeking sponsors for its inaugural Home of the Hereford Cookoff and Cornhole tournament.

Registration for the garage sale, which is scheduled for Sept. 11, begins Tuesday, Aug.17 and runs through Sept. 3.

Registration fee is $10, which covers inclusion on the map and a garage sale sign.

“That goes to pay for the plastic signs so participants don’t have to return them,” Chamber manager Mary Beth Jones said.

By Sam Waller

Multiple sightings of a mountain lion in north Albany have been reported on social media by local residents.

One sighting was reported the morning of Aug. 4 at a residence near Nancy Smith Elementary School. Another was reported in the back yard of a northside residence on Aug. 7.

Game warden Jacob Mort said he has received only one official phone call about the situation, and that was not from someone who had personally spotted the cat.

By Melinda L. Lucas

A special meeting of the Albany city council was set for next Tuesday, Aug. 17 to discuss and propose a tax rate for the upcoming tax year. 

City manager Billy Holson said Tuesday after the council’s regular session that making a decision next week will give the city time to post required notices prior to the regular meeting on Sept. 13, when he hopes the new tax rate will be adopted.

The city’s fiscal year ends in March, so their budget has already been decided.

Other Business

Bios of new staff members, along with faculty assignments and school supply lists, are included in the special back-to-school section in this week’s issue.

There are also articles about vaccination requirements, elementary “meet the teacher” night, and orientation for new junior high and high school students.

See Section C for details.

By Donnie A. Lucas

With online enrollment hovering at 90 percent earlier this week, school officials are still looking for 30-35 more students to register before the first day of classes next Wednesday, Aug. 18.

Overall enrollment for all grade levels stood at 460 students on Monday, with about 10 more enrollments expected at the secondary campus and 16 more at the elementary.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The number of current positive COVID-19 cases more than doubled during the last week, according to information reported by the Shackelford County Health Clinic.

The local clinic said that 40 tests were administered from Aug. 2 through Aug. 9, with 12 positive results. The facility previously reported 25 tests given with eight positive results for July 19-30, for a total of 65 tests and 20 positives during the three-week period.

By Sam Waller

Enrollment packets for prospective students at Moran Independent School are available now in the school office. All students planning to attend Moran schools need to pick up a packet.x

Students may pick up paperwork during business hours over the next two weeks. Packets will also be available during the Meet the Teachers event on Aug. 19, according to principal Jo Hise.

Meet the Teachers will be preceeded by Meet the Bulldogs.

By Sidney Bartee

Albany students Cort Peterson and Will LeMay competed in the American Junior Rodeo Association finals last weekend, bringing home a top award.

The boys won the team roping short go competition in their division and received a saddle and belt buckles as prizes.

Peterson is the header for the team and LeMay is the heeler.

The duo has traveled to rodeo competitions most weekends since September of 2020, and their successes in the qualifying events made them eligible for the finals.

By Sidney Bartee

Albany graduate Addie Beth Denton competed in the American Junior Rodeo Association Finals the past week in Sweetwater, the last time she will compete as a high school student.

Denton competed in breakaway roping, goat tying, and barrel racing.

After catching all three calves, Denton was crowned the Champion Breakaway Roper.

Placings for breakaway roping include third in the first round, sixth in the second round, and second in the short go.