By Sidney Bartee Summer band rehear­sals started Monday, July 19 for percussion with the rest of the band members scheduled to join on Monday, July 26. Percussion practices start at 3:00 p.m. and end at 5:00 p.m. The title of this year’s marching show is “Tales of Arabia.”

By Jillian Lucas Five members of the Albany chapter of FFA attended the Texas FFA State Convention and Rodeo in Fort Worth recently, accepting several awards during the five-day event. In addition, a couple of local residents were honored by the organization for their volunteerism.

By Sidney Bartee The deadline for the Old Jail Art Center children’s workshop has passed, but organizers are willing to accept a couple more signups.

By Melinda L. Lucas With barely a quorum present for the July 19 meeting, Shackelford County Hospital District board members opted to table most agenda items until more directors can be present for those decisions.

By Melinda L. Lucas Water rates for City of Albany customers were raised $1 per 1,000 gallons during a meeting on Monday, July 12 at the Aztec. City manager Billy Holson also reported that the city will save more than $1 million with the acceptance of the new bonds for the water plant.

By Jillian Lucas ResourceCare’s fundraising event CareFest 2021 is set to take the stage on Aug. 28 featuring nine well-known musicians and bands. Organizers are anticipating that tickets will sell out soon and are encouraging local residents to purchase theirs quickly.

By Sidney Bartee A positive case of rabies was recently reported to the Shackelford Sheriff’s Office, with the animal discovered and captured on the edge of Albany’s city limits near the golf course.

By Jillian Lucas FEMA has changed the Individual Assistance  requirements for Shackelford County and other Texas residents to file a claim following February’s winter storm.

By Donnie A. Lucas Parents of both returning and new students planning to attend Albany schools are urged to use the online registration portal that opens Monday, July 26.

By Melinda L. Lucas The rendering plant just outside the eastern Albany city limit continued to dominate discussion at the July 12 meeting of the Shackelford County commissioners, although there was action on a couple of other important items.