A Baird man who led law enforcement on a high-speed chase and sparked a large-scale manhunt through Albany in January has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison, while other charges related to the incident remain pending in Shackelford County.

Micheal Z. Haley, 38, of Baird, received the sentence after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm. The charge stems from a January 30 pursuit that began east of Abilene and ended with Haley’s arrest north of Albany following several hours of searching by law enforcement.

Early on the morning of Oct. 16, two Venezuelan nationals were arrested in Albany after an attempted theft from the Clear Fork Bank drive-through ATM. Deputies from the Shackelford County Sheriff’s Office responded within minutes after several concerned citizens called 911 to report suspicious activity at the bank.

Albany took center stage this past weekend when The Daytripper—the popular PBS travel series hosted by Chet Garner—featured the community in its latest episode. Filmed during the Fort Griffin Fandangle in June, the show premiered statewide on PBS over the weekend and debuted on YouTube Monday evening.

In the heart of Albany once stood a beacon of hospitality and modernity—the McLemore Hotel. Erected in 1926 by Ada McLemore, wife of Shackelford County pioneer ranchman Wade McLemore, this establishment was more than just a place to rest one’s head; it was a testament to ambition and progress in a burgeoning oil community.

The Albany Ragin’ Red Band received an overall Division II rating Monday, Oct. 20, at the UIL Region 6 Marching Contest at Shotwell Stadium in Abilene. 

The 40-member band, directed by Jessica Watkins with assistance from Riley Lusk, performed its 2025 show titled Ancient World, composed by Carol Brittin Chambers. The production explores the culture and music of the Byzantine Empire, featuring props that help bring the theme to life on the field.

Early on the morning of Oct. 16, multiple suspects attempted to rob the Clear Fork Bank drive-through ATM in Albany. According to local authorities, several individuals and vehicles were involved in the incident, which occurred before daylight hours.

Multiple concerned citizens contacted 911 after noticing suspicious activity at the bank, alerting law enforcement to the situation. Deputies from the Shackelford County Sheriff’s Office arrived within minutes and arrested two Venezuelan nationals. Additional individuals believed to be involved fled the area before officers arrived.

The Albany City Council approved a new ordinance Monday night establishing strict regulations for recreational vehicle parks within city limits, a move aimed at managing rapid growth and maintaining local standards as nearby development accelerates.

The Shackelford County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a series of burglaries that occurred at local hunting camps throughout September, with several suspects now in custody following a multi-county investigation. Authorities say the crimes, which took place across rural parts of the county, appear to have been carefully coordinated and involved the theft of high-value equipment from remote locations.

The Albany High School Ragin’ Red Band returned from the Seymour Band Festival on Oct. 4 with a first division rating from all five judges, a milestone band director Jessica Watkins praised as a testament to the students’ focus and adaptability.

Fort Griffin State Historic Site will host its annual Living History Days this Friday and Saturday, Oct. 10–11, offering visitors an immersive look at life on the Texas frontier through a full slate of historical demonstrations, live performances, and special programming.