Albany ISD trustees received a detailed update Monday night, March 9, on the district’s efforts to implement the state’s Teacher Incentive Allotment program, a system that could significantly increase pay for highly effective teachers while allowing them to remain in the classroom.

Architect Jeff Garnett, who moved to Albany with his family in August 2025, recently earned two honors at the 2025 American Institute of Architects Fort Worth Design Awards.

Readers of The Albany News saw the lengthy 23-page legal notice published in last week’s February 26 edition outlining Oncor’s proposal to construct a new 765-kilovolt transmission line stretching across Central and West Texas.

Albany’s well-known “Home of the Hereford” sign was knocked down early Saturday morning after a vehicle struck the structure, according to local authorities.The crash occurred in the early morning hours, with Texas Department of Public Safety troopers responding to the scene.

In the only contested local race, Shackelford County Judge John Viertel was reelected with 396 votes, or 60.64%, to challenger Raleigh Breeden’s 257 votes (39.36%) in Tuesday’s Republican Primary election. Viertel will begin his second term in January 2027.

Routine maintenance work on the U.S. Highway 180 bridge over Hubbard Creek Reservoir began Wednesday, March 4, according to the Texas Department of Transportation.TxDOT officials said the project includes work on and underneath the bridge. Crews are working daily from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Albany News is preparing to release its Spring/Summer Visitor Guide at the end of this month, continuing the fresh look introduced with last fall’s complete redesign.

Last week marked 100 years since a moment that forever changed the course of Shackelford County history.On Feb. 18, 1926, an oil well drilled on the Cook Ranch five miles northwest  of Albany erupted with a gusher that would soon become known around the world.

What began as a routine Shackelford County Commissioners Court meeting Monday morning quickly shifted into an extended and increasingly uneasy discussion about the Frontier data center projects and their growing effects on residents, infrastructure, and public safety.

The Aztec Sessions concert series will continue this week as Texas country favorites Micky & The Motorcars take the stage at the Aztec Theater on Friday, Feb. 27.Doors will open at 7 p.m., with the show beginning at 8 p.m.