A second meeting for those interested in starting a Birding/Conservation Club in Albany and Shackelford County is planned for Monday, Feb. 3.

The meeting will held at First Christian Church, starting at 7:00 p.m.

FCC pastor Brad McBee is heading up the effort to form the group.

“Since 1970, there has been a loss of 2.9 billion birds in North America, that is one in four birds gone,” said McBee. “The aim of this group will be not only to promote and institute bird friendly conservation efforts, but also to enjoy birding together.”

By Kathy Thomson

Parents of girls who want to play in the Albany Girls Softball Association this spring only have one more week to sign up their child before the Friday, Feb. 8 deadline.

Age levels for Albany players this year will include under-6, under-8, under-10, under-12, and under-14 as of Jan. 1. Games will be played in Albany, Breckenridge, and possibly other nearby towns.

Registration fees are $45 for the first player in a family, and $30 more for each additional sibling entered in the league. Scholarships are available.

By Kathy Thomson

Moran High School senior Harley Schafer was recently named as one of the Lee’s Legion Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution 2020 DAR Good Citizen award winners.

Four area high schools were each invited to submit the name of one member of their senior class to Lee’s Legion for the honor. 

The student should be one who has demonstrated the good citizenship qualities of dependability, service, leadership, and patriotism in his or her home, school, and community. 

By Kathy Thomson

A cheer meeting will be held at 5:30 p.m. next Thursday, Feb. 6 for all upcoming sixth grade through high school students interested in representing Moran as mascots, varsity cheerleaders, or junior high cheerleaders for the 2020-2021 school year. 

Students interested in trying out must bring a parent or guardian with them to the meeting at the MISD auditorium.

Upcoming Events

Thursday, Feb. 13 is the end of the fourth six weeks grading period.

By Melinda L. Lucas

During their Jan. 27 meeting, Shackelford County commissioners opted not to renew the current IT contract with Goldsmith Solutions and instead seek an alternative type of  agreement with Goldsmith or another Information Technology (IT) consultant.

The current contract, which is based on hourly fees for services, expires March 27.

County judge Robert Skelton outlined a timetable that allows the county to advertise for IT bids starting this week and review any proposals in time to make a decision before the end of March.

By Kathy Thomson

The 2020 Shackelford County Youth and Livestock Association county livestock show and sale was held at the county show barn last weekend, Jan. 24-25, and according to association president Bronco Askew, the show was a success.

“We had a great show,” said Askew. “Of course, we don’t have final money totals yet, but pre-sale Bidders Pool donations were up, and overall we had a good turnout. In addition, it was almost unbelievable how great the weather was!”

By Kathy Thomson

Incumbent James Waters filed for reelection as councilman for the city of Albany this week, bringing the current slate of candidates running for local offices on the May 2 ballots up to five.

Robert Montgomery and Ginny Ivy both filed to return to their respective places on the Albany school board the previous week. 

Also turning in her paperwork during the initial week of filing was Shackelford County Hospital Board member Janna Ledbetter.

Mayor pro tem Susan Montgomery submitted her candidacy for Albany mayor.

By Melinda L. Lucas

A decision of how to utilize a $25,000 school safety grant was the main focus of a meeting that also celebrated Board Appreciation Month for the trustees of the Albany ISD.

At the end of Monday night’s meeting, following the routine closed-session evaluation of AISD superintendent Jonathan Scott, a unanimous motion extended Scott’s contract by one more year to January 2023.

The board postponed any salary increase until later in the year, after there is a clearer idea of state school finances and local funding.

By Kathy Thomson

Local FFA and 4-H exhibitors are expected to weigh in a total of 164 goats, lambs, and pigs at the Shackelford County Youth Livestock Show barn Thursday afternoon (today).

Unlike previous years, rabbits and poultry will not weigh in until Friday afternoon and will not show until Saturday.

Also new this year is a formal showmanship presentation. Although showmanship winners will be announced at the end of each judging category, the showmanship buckles will not be presented until shortly before the auction on Saturday. 

By Kathy Thomson

The filing period for local board elections began last Wednesday, Jan. 15, and as of press time on Tuesday, a total of four candidates had turned in their paperwork for one of the various positions that will be decided on May 2.

Mayor pro temp Susan Montgomery has filed for Albany mayor.

Incumbents Ginny Ivy and Robert Montgomery have reapplied for their respective seats on the Albany school board.

Incumbent Janna Ledbetter has turned in her completed application for the Shackelford County hospital board.