By Jillian Lucas

As Independence Day quickly approaches, community members are urged to use adequate safety precautions when celebrating and using fireworks.

“Our main concern and focus is personal safety,” said Albany Volunteer Fire Department chief Travis Gardenhire. “Everyone just needs to be very careful.”

Shackelford County is not currently under a burn ban or any other special restrictions and with the current amounts of rainfall, residents could easily mistake the surface level wet grass as a sign that fires would be more difficult to start.

By Jillian Lucas

Well over 200 people, including 155 campers, 40 high school workers, 22 junior high volunteers, and a slew of ResourceCare employees, are set to begin ResourceCare’s 23rd year of Summer Day Camp on July 12. 

With just a few weeks prior to the start date, Day Camp is still in need of funding. 

“We are still desperately seeking sponsorships and donations,” said Mindy Ary, one of the Day Camp directors. 

Albany News readers and advertisers are asked to be aware that no newspaper will be published, either in print or online, during the week of July 12.

“There will not be an edition on Thursday, July 15,” said News editor Melinda Lucas. “We hope we’re giving everyone ample notice that we’re going to take that week off to spend time with our families.”

The News office will be open on Monday through Thursday of that week, but will be closed on Friday, as it has been for the last year.

By Jillian Lucas

There will be no Chamber of Commerce lunch on Friday, July 2 in observance of Independence Day weekend. 

According to Chamber manager Mary Beth Jones, Chamber lunches will begin again on July 9 at the Icehouse.

Lunches will continue at the Icehouse through the month of July and August. 

For more information, call the Chamber of Commerce at 325-762-2525.

By Sidney Bartee

Pick-up dates for the July distribution of the commodity food program  provided by Shackelford County are July 1 and 2.

According to Justice of the Peace James Breeden, dates will remain the same even with the July 4 holiday.

Certified eligible families in Moran should pick up their monthly commodity food at the Moran City Hall between 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 1 (today). 

Albany families who are certified can pick up their food on Friday, July 2 from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. at the rear door of the JP office. 

By Melinda L. Lucas

Shackelford County Hospital District board members started the process of hiring a new administrator at a meeting on Monday, June 28 after Jera Fairley opted not to sign a new contract and left the district’s employment about a month ago.

Fairley, who had been with the district in the capacity of administrator for six years, had been given until May 27 to sign a job description that the board first presented to her after a May 5 session in the form of a contract, with an initial signing deadline of May 13. 

By Jillian Lucas

The 83rd anniversary edition of the Fort Griffin Fandangle came to a close this past weekend after its final performance of the year.

Performance Recap

“I thought that this year’s show was very well received,” said director Lorna Ayers. “The audiences were extremely interactive and very involved.”

The Fandangle prides itself on teaching the rich history and culture of Fort Griffin and Albany, according to the director. 

By Melinda L. Lucas

Several Albany residents spoke at the Shackelford County commissioners meeting on Monday morning, June 28 concerning the smell emitted by a new rendering plant on the edge of town.

Since Texas Renewables is located adjacent to but just outside the city limits, the citizens approached the county officers about possible action against the company, which reportedly operates a protein conversion facility that “converts animal plasma into a dried protein additive to be used in products such as organic fertilizer and organic pet food.”

By Jillian Lucas

Four  Moran ISD agricultural students headed to the West Texas A&M Meat Judging camp Sunday, June 20.

This is the first time that Moran FFA students have participated in this type of event.

“This camp is our first step in growing the FFA program here at Moran ISD,” said new superintendent John Denson. 

By Jillian Lucas

Vendors of all kinds are welcome at the Moran Open Air Market being held June 25 to June 27.

Hosted by N House Cafe on the property directly behind the Red Barn, the market will be open Friday from 12:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

So far there have been 30 vendors sign up, including boutique clothing, food, antiques, garage sale items, farmers market, and many more.