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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.