By Melinda L. Lucas

Although no action was taken, Albany city council members looked at the possibility of raising water rates by $1 per 1,000 gallons, which will be $2 for the minimum charge per month.

City manager Billy Holson presented a chart that showed the average rates in similarly sized cities across the state. In communities 2,000 or less, the average cost per 5,000 gallons is $45.39, whereas Albany charges $30 per 5,000 gallons.

Sewer rates for cities of 2,000 or less show to be an average of $28.50, compared with $18.25 for Albany.

By Sandy Morris

Moran’s monthly country and western musical will continue this month on Saturday, June 26 from 5:00 to 10:00 p.m. at the Moran Community Center.

Moran singer-songwriter M.L. “Marty” Clifford is coordinating the event, which was first held in the spring of 2019.

Clifford plans to hold the musical on the fourth Saturday of each month, free of charge to the public.

Proceeds will benefit local organizations such as the fire department and the Moran city park, said Clifford.

By Sandy Morris

Local 4-H member Johnnie Hise took part in the state 4-H Fashion Show on Tuesday, June 8 in College Station. 

Hise placed first on April 30 in San Angelo in her division which advanced her to the state contest.

There were eight contestants in the category of Construction-Semi-Formal to Formal, according to Hise.

“We are still waiting on our scorecards, but I wasn’t in the top three, so I won’t advance to Nationals,” said Hise. “Overall, there were about 50 people competing in different divisions.”

By Sandy Morris

A recent Albany High School graduate competed in the Texas High School Rodeo Association Finals that took place last week in Abilene at the Taylor County Coliseum. 

Contestant Addie Beth Denton had previously qualified at the Region 3 rodeo to compete in the state finals in goat tying.

Denton recorded a time of 7.29 seconds to put her in third place in the first go-round at state.

Denton’s mother, Dena Denton said the second go-round didn’t go as well as the first. 

By Sandy Morris

The Albany Athletic Booster Club is looking for volunteers for the first fundraiser of the year.

The Albany junior and senior high athletes traditionally rent seat cushions at Fandangle. 

Guests are greeted and offered a cushion for a $1 rental, and then the cushions are collected after the show.

All incoming seventh to 12th graders and parents are asked to help with the fundraiser. 

Volunteers do not have to be involved in Fandangle to rent cushions. 

By Sandy Morris

Local residents volunteered time last Saturday, June 12 to help with the Chamber of Commerce-  promoted community cleanup day.

“Most of my Chamber board members showed up or worked the day before or the day after,” said Chamber manager Mary Beth Jones. “They give up several Saturdays with no recognition. They do it because they love Albany.”

Volunteers helped to clean the areas leading to the Fandangle grounds and as many public areas as possible, including all of the walking paths, by mowing, weed eating, and picking up trash.

By Sandy Morris

The Kingdom Man and Promise Keepers June rally will be held starting at 6:00 p.m. at Solid Rock Camps in Eastland on Friday, June 18, and all men from Albany and Shackelford County are invited to attend.

Promise Keepers CEO and acclaimed author Ken Harrison will be the special guest speaker.

The event is free and is open to men of all ages. 

Food, fellowship, and worship will be provided during the evening.

Solid Rock Camps is located at 599 CR 570A, Eastland TX 76448.

By Sandy Morris

First Baptist Church has several activities planned for the summer.

Every Sunday night starting at 6:00 p.m., the church will sponsor Summer Sundays at the Bumguardner home.

Adults will have a Bible study while kids swim followed by dinner. 

Lifeguards and childcare will be provided every Sunday evening.

FBC will also show the series The Chosen each Sunday night at 6:00 p.m.

The event will be held in the Fellowship Hall, and popcorn will be provided. 

Albany High School graduate Jackson Chapman has been awarded the Nancy and Ted Paup Big Country Athletic Hall of Fame Scholarship. This scholarship fund is managed by the Community Foundation of Abilene. 

This scholarship goes to an Albany student who is in the top 25 percent of his/her class and participated in varsity athletics. 

Jackson will attend Texas A&M University in the fall and plans to study agricultural business. 

By Donnie A. Lucas

Preliminary results of the spring STAAR testing administered to local students are not official yet, but school officials said parents should be able to see results within a week or two through the Texas Education Agency’s parent portal.

While administrators will use the test results in an attempt to determine how students have progressed over the last year, local comparative results may take longer than usual because TEA hasn’t announced if or when they will release statewide results.