The next regular test of the local emergency siren is scheduled for 12:00 noon, on Wednesday, Oct. 10, depending on the weather. 

The regular trial is scheduled for the second Wednesday of every month, but the siren is not tested if the weather is questionable.

The siren should sound one or more of the three emergency tones during the test. 

SEVERE WEATHER

WARNING

Constant wail

3 minutes

FIRE DANGER

10 seconds up

10 seconds down

2 minutes 

FLOOD DANGER

Albany students will enjoy a break from classes on Columbus Day, Monday, Oct. 8, as teachers and support staff participate in staff development.

The session about reporting data for student progress will be held for all staff in the Nancy Smith Elementary School cafeteria, and will be conducted by Region 14 personnel.

Classes will resume for all AISD students on Tuesday, Oct. 9 at the normal 7:55 a.m. time for the start of the school day for both campuses.

The second six weeks period is already underway and ends on Nov. 9.

The meeting of warm, damp air pumped in from the Gulf of Mexico and a slow moving cold front drifting lazily across the Big Country has produced a long-awaited widespread rain event, with totals across the county spanning a wide range from about four inches all the way up to 11 inches. 

Paul Ivy, manager of Collins Creek Ranch in northern Shackelford County, reported better than average precipitation for September.

“We’ve had a little over four inches of rain this month,” he said. “That’s really good news.”

Local organizations who plan to apply for funding from the Albany Chest need to finish and submit their applications by 5:00 p.m. this Friday afternoon, Sept. 28.

Board chair Amy Kelly said Monday that only eight application had been received so far, and she emphasized that all organizations wishing to receive an allocation from the Albany Chest must submit a written request by the deadline.

The truck show originally scheduled to take place in downtown Albany last Saturday, Sept. 22, was postponed until the rainout date – Saturday, Oct. 13.

“We were glad to get the rainlast weekend, but it is hard to reschedule around all of the other fall events,” said organizer Robert Snyder. “We will try and get the word out about the date change on social media and in flyers.”

The rainout date falls on Albany’s Homecoming weekend.

“Maybe that will be good for our numbers,” Syder said. “And it will give the Homecoming crowd another activity they can enjoy.”

Albany city council members adopted the proposed tax rate with no discussion on Thursday, Sept. 20 at a special session scheduled in order to fit in the two required public hearings.

No one from the public attended the hearings on Aug. 30 and Sept. 6, necessary because the proposed tax of 68.77 cents is the same as last year, but 3.3 percent higher than the effective rate of 66.59 cents.

By law, taxpayers must be allowed to comment on or protest anything above the effective rate.

The Fort Griffin Living History Association (FGLHA) is hosting a trail ride at Fort Griffin State Historic Site this Saturday, Sept. 29, starting at 9:00 a.m.

The group will meet up at the Longhorn pens, which are on Park Road 54, shortly past Fort Griffin’s south entrance, just over 15 miles north of Albany on US 283.

Registration is $40 per rider, and all Fort Griffin State Historic Site fees also apply, including an additional $4 for the park entry fee, and campsite fees for anyone staying overnight. 

Members of the Albany Student Council will participate in the Fall Regional Convention at the Civic Center in Abilene on Wednesday, Oct. 3. 

This year there are 28 high school students on the AHS council, and 19 junior high representatives.

Typically a large percentage of the high school members of the council attend the annual convention.

Motivational speakers at the event help inspire the student leaders to get involved with their community through various types of projects, according to sponsor Donnie Lucas.

The Albany FFA Chapter has elected its officers for the 2018-2019 school year, and the new chapter leaders attended a Chapter Officer Leadership Training conference in Abilene on Tuesday, Sept. 18.

FFA officers for the 2018-2019 school year are president Madison Wilkins, vice president Tyler Beard, secretary Cutter Edgar, treasurer Taylor Scott, and reporter Seth Hale. Also serving the chapter this year are sentinel Conner Clark, historian Mady Connally, parliamentarian Julia Bowman, and chaplain Alayna Koemel.

Kenzie Fairchild is teaching six students in the General Education Development (GED) class at the Shackelford County library on Monday and Tuesday nights, but she still has room for a few more pupils.

“We began classes Sept. 10,” said Fairchild. “But registration is still open for new enrollees each Monday.”

Registrants should be at least 19 years old and have an ID.

“Child care is not available,” said Fairchild. “And students must commit to regular attendance and accumulate 40 hours of class time.”