by Kathy Thomson

Tuesday, Feb. 18 was the first day of early voting for the March 3 primary election, with balloting taking place in the foyer on the first floor of the Shackelford County Courthouse.

As of press time on Tuesday afternoon, 22 voters had cast ballots.

Early voting will continue through Friday, Feb. 28. The last day to apply for a ballot by mail is tomorrow, Friday, Feb. 21.

The ballots must be returned to the county clerk’s office by return mail before voting closes on March 3.

By Kathy Thomson

The Albany Independent School District and the Shackelford County hospital district will both hold elections on May 2, as will the Moran city council. 

The other three local governing bodies – Albany city council, Moran school board, and Fort Griffin SUD board, do not have any contested races and are expected to cancel their elections. 

Fourteen new candidates joined various local races before last week’s Friday cut-off.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Albany city manager Billy Holson proposed a balanced budget of $2,936,850 at Monday’s regular meeting of the city council, and elected officials expect to approve the budget at a March 9 session following the required public hearing.

Carolyn Waller presided over the meeting in the absence of mayor pro tem Susan Montgomery, who was ill.

Budget Proposal

By Melinda L. Lucas

Courthouse security was the main topic of discussion during Monday morning’s meeting of the Shackelford County commissioners and other elected officials.

Precinct 1 commissioner Steve Riley, in light of a recent alleged threat at the local elementary school campus, suggested that elected officials consider taking security steps to protect county employees at the Courthouse.

“It’s a shame we even have to be talking about this, but in this day and time, we have to be cautious,” said Riley.

By Kathy Thomson

With only one day left to file for local offices, as of press time on Tuesday, there was still a shortage of candidates for several of the local boards.

The only person to file for an office since press time last week is Shackelford County Hospital Board incumbent Chris Beard.

Already on the slate of candidates is mayor pro tem Susan Montgomery for Albany mayor, along with newcomer Ragan Riley and incumbents Lester Galbreath and James Waters for Albany city council positions.

By Kathy Thomson

Several Shackelford County youth, parents, and advisors are in the middle of one of the busiest times of the stock show season, with Fort Worth, San Angelo, San Antonio, Houston, and Austin all underway over the next few weeks.

Thirteen local students showed barrows and steers at the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo last week, and among the local winners was Slayton Parsons, who took reserve champion light weight cross barrow with his pig, and Kenzie Neve who placed fifth in her class of Shorthorn steers.

By Kathy Thomson

The Parent Teacher Organization’s Scholastic “Book Fair Jungle: Elephants, Tigers, and Books, OH MY!” is set to wind down to a close tomorrow, Friday, Feb. 14, at the Nancy Smith Elementary School cafeteria, but purchases can still be made between now and then.

“It was a little slow today, but it usually is on Monday,” said PTO president Ginny Ivy after the first day of the Book Fair. “It typically builds up momentum as the week goes on.”

Albany Independent School District has scheduled a student holiday for Monday, Feb. 17, in honor of Presidents Day. 

Schools at both Albany campuses will release at the normal times on Friday, Feb. 14, and will resume classes at the normal times on Tuesday, Feb. 18, according to superintendent Jonathan Scott.

Presidents Day is not a district holiday, but is scheduled as a staff development day.

Moran ISD will have a school holiday for both students and staff on Monday, Feb. 17.

by Kathy Thomson

Tuesday, Feb. 18 is the first day of early voting for the March 3 primary election, with balloting taking place at the Shackelford County Courthouse, in the lobby area on the first floor, through Friday, Feb. 28. 

Early voting hours are 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon and 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. on Monday through Thursday, closing one hour earlier on Fridays to correspond to normal business hours at the Courthouse. 

“Voting is not open during the lunch hour,” said election clerk Cheri Hawkins. 

By Kathy Thomson

Kim Davis teaches several elementary classes at Moran School, including math, science, and art, and she recently decided to branch out to include music in her art class.

“I had brought my son’s violin to science class when we were discussing sound, so my students could see and hear the strings vibrate,” Davis said. “The kids were enthralled with the instrument, and I realized that they may not have ever had the chance to learn to play music. I decided to see if I could add music, which after all is one of the fine arts, to our art class.”