By Melinda L. Lucas

Shackelford County commissioners have met twice in the past two weeks, once on July 8 for a regular session and again on July 15 for a budget workshop in addition to a few items of routine business.

During the July 8 meeting, the resignation of current county extension agent Michaela Bradford was accepted “with regrets.”

Bradford has accepted a teaching position with Albany ISD.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Aspiring young artists entering first through 12th grades can attend various art camps at the Old Jail Art Center this summer and learn about recycling, Ghana, puppets, and/or creating artwork from various media, as well as learning about the cowboy life in this year’s new event. 

All classes, including supplies, are free, but space is limited, so early registration is encouraged and is already underway for all the classes.

Ghana Culture

By Kathy Thomson

New Albany band director Richard Murrow has scheduled the first rehearsal of the eighth through 12th grade band for Monday, Aug. 5 at 6:30 p.m. in the band hall.

“Students should bring their instruments,” said Murrow. 

He added that parents are welcome to come meet him at the beginning of any of the upcoming practices.

Murrow is currently on duty in the military reserves and has not yet scheduled a band parents meeting.

By Melinda L. Lucas

New and ongoing recipients of Albany ISD Education Foundation scholarships need to provide proof of enrollment in order to receive their benefit for the fall 2019 semester.

New 2019 graduate recipients need proof of enrollment and the letter that was in the scholarship envelope they received graduation night.

This is the 10th year for the Foundation scholarships, with an additional $20,000 in awards given this spring.

by Kathy Thomson

Albany High School was among the top 20 Class 2A schools in the state in vying for the University Interscholastic League Lone Star Cup for the 2018-19 school year.

Albany earned 38 points to tie for 18th place with Valley Mills this year. 

By Kathy Thomson

Six adult members of First Baptist Church’s mission team, along with three youth workers, spent the first week of July in Del Rio repairing a building during the congregation’s annual summer mission trip.

“We had a good trip,” said team leader Dinty Bowman. “We were working in an old church building that is being utilized to teach young children things like hygiene including hand washing and brushing teeth, basic reading, and art.”

The church building was old, rundown, and needed some TLC, according to Bowman.

By Kathy Thomson

Thanks to a new volunteer, Albany Neighbors In Need, which had only been open on Monday mornings from 10:00 a.m. until noon, is now also open from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. on the second and fourth Saturdays of the month.

“Brad McBee will be available to accept donations and to allow our shoppers who work all week to come and shop too,” said organizer Lori Reames. “By donating during that hour, items can be stored immediately into our building to ensure they are available for those who truly need them!”

By Kathy Thomson

Over a dozen youth from Albany and their sponsors traveled to Rockport last week to assist with ongoing efforts to rebuild structures damaged by Hurricane Harvey almost two years ago.

This year the Matthews Memorial Presbyterian Church youth mission trip worked through an organization called TEAMeffort Missions. 

By Kathy Thomson

The new Scout Hut in Albany is almost ready to use, according to local Scout committee chair Teri Lucas, and the local Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts should be able to start using the building as soon as the plumbers have completed their part of the project. 

“The outside of the building is done, and most of the inside is finished,” said Lucas. “The floors, walls, electricity, heating, and air are installed. Tables and chairs have been donated by the First United Methodist Church.”

By Kathy Thomson

The Albany Athletic Booster Club met earlier this week to elect officers and start planning for the annual Hamburger & Ice Cream Supper and other fall events.

Officers elected at the meeting on Monday, July 15 were Stephen Kayga - president,  D’Anna Knight - vice president, Shawnee Tischler - treasurer, and Tisha Wilkins - secretary.

Logan Neve will be in charge of the “Tunnel Crew,” and anyone willing to help Neve with the inflatable A, the horn, or the flags is asked to contact him.