By Melinda L. Lucas

With a county-wide burn ban in place and a resolution restricting the sale and use of “bottle rockets,” local emergency responders say cele-brations involving fireworks need to include safety and common sense.

Firefighters warn that dry brush and vegetation, mixed with fireworks, can easily ignite, and there are rules and ordinances that must be followed by everyone setting off fireworks.

“We have concerns for both personal safety and fire caution,” said Albany Volunteer Fire Department chief Joel Viertel. “Everyone needs to be very careful.”

By Donnie A. Lucas

Several members of the local FCCLA chapter are advancing to the National conference in Denver on July 1-7, including several of the same members who won the national championship for parliamentary procedure last year in San Diego.

The Level 2 Parliamentary Procedure team includes five students who competed on the Level I (junior high) team that won at last year’s national conference.

By Melinda L. Lucas

A special account has been opened at Clear Fork Bank to help the victims of last week’s tornado in Matador.

Clifford Teinert, who has a good friend affected by the storm, said that monetary donations are now needed more than water, clothing, and similar items.

The funds will go directly to the “Matador Relief Fund,” which is being administered by the Motley County Judge, County Sheriff’s Office, and a minister in Matador.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Swimmers are reminded that the swimming pool at Webb Park will be closed on Friday and Saturday, June 30 and July 1 due to a shortage of lifeguards, according to information from Albany City Hall.

“Because of various conflicts, we just don’t have enough workers to cover those two days,” said city secretary Kenisha Lucas. “For safety reasons, the decision was made to close the pool.”

The facility will open for normal hours of 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 2, then be closed as usual on Monday, July 3.

By Melinda L. Lucas

This week’s Chamber of Commerce lunch meeting will be held at usual at 12:00 noon on Friday, June 30 at the Icehouse, but there will be no luncheon on Friday, July 7 because the Icehouse Restaurant will be closed that week.

According to Chamber manager Brandi Lehew, Chamber lunches will begin again on July 14 at the Icehouse.

For more information, call the Chamber of Commerce at 325-762-2525.

By Sam Waller

Brian Chapman won the raffle conducted by the Albany Athletic Booster Club’s raffle for a custom football signed by members of the Albany Lions 2022 state championship.

Chapman is an uncle of Cole Chapman, quarterback of the championship team and one of the signatories.

By Sam Waller

First Baptist Church of Albany’s Summer SONshine program wrapped up its four-week run Wednesday, June 28.

The program, for children who have completed kindergarten through sixth grade, offers Bible study, music, crafts, games, and field trips.

“We’ve had fun helping kids not just have something to do, but bond as a group and a class,” FBC children’s minister Ginger Bumguardner said. “We talk about the Lord along the way. We try to make church a fun place to be, someplace they want to go to.”

By Sam Waller

A total of 17 Albany and Moran students attended the Fellowship of Christian Athletes Summer Camp at HSU last week.

The camp, held Monday-Friday, June 19-23 at Hardin-Simmons University, drew 400 youth.

Among the attendees were 12 students from Albany, five from Moran, and another 12 from Breckenridge.

“We had about 86 kids come out of my area,” local FCA representative Paul Johnston said. “It was a great week, and the kids had a lot of fun. We had about 100 kids make some type of decision.”

By Sam Waller

A group of approximately 30 Shackelford County 4-H members and their families took down seating at Prairie Theater on Sunday, June 25, following the final 2023 performance of the Fort Griffin Fandangle.

Shackelford County extension agent Kelsey Bell said the 4-Hers were rewarded for their efforts, performed in triple-digit heat, with a pool party hosted by Jamie and Dustin Parsons.

By Melinda L. Lucas

With a Saturday, July 1 deadline coming up fast, parents need to get their 6-12 year olds signed up for the  Old Jail Art Center children’s summer workshops.

The traditional Cultural Connections Camp, which is centered on Egypt this year, will be offered both on-site and virtually to start things off on Wednesday, Aug. 2.

Three other workshops will be in-person only on Aug. 4, Aug 8-9, and Aug. 11, including the popular puppet workshop..