readers and advertisers are reminded that no newspaper will be published, either in print or online, during the week of July 8. “We will not have a July 11 issue,” said News editor MelindaLucas.“Hopefully, that won’t be an inconvenience.” Albany print and all online subscribers should get their papers a day earlier this week, with the July 4 issue distributed Wednesday because of the holiday.

By Melinda L. Lucas A 15-minute special meeting of the Shackelford County Hospital District’s board of directors on Monday, July 1, ended with the purchase of a new HVAC unitfortheambulancebays that will replace 20-yearold equipment.

Albany water customers should receive a “2023 Annual Drinking Water Quality Report” in the next few days showingthatlocallytreatedwater meets or exceeds all federal drinking water requirements. “All the numbers looked good,” Albany water superintendent Michael Graham said.

Shackelford County 4-H members (at right) use a bucket brigadetype system to put up chairs at the Prairie Theater Sunday afternoon, with bottles of water at the ready to keep them hydrated. A few hours earlier, brothers Luke and Connor Smith (below) stack props in a storeroom, another part of the process of wrapping up one Fandangle season and leaving things ready for the next year.

Old Jail Art Center to get underway July 29 With a Friday, July 19 deadline coming up fast, parents need to get their 6-12 year olds signed up for the OldJailArtCenterchildren’s summer workshops. Allofthecampsareback to being on site this year, with no virtual workshops offered.

RIBBON CUTTING

Texas Department of Transportation’s contractor, Structural Integrity Group,begancleaningand sealing the joints of the US 180 bridge over Hubbard Creek Reservoir June 30. This is a preventative maintenance project to extend the life of the structure.

Nominations are now being accepted for farmers and ranchers to serve on local U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) FarmServiceAgency(FSA) county committees. These committees make important decisions about how federal farm programs are administered locally. All nomination forms must be postmarked or received in the local FSA office by Aug. 1, 2024.

Closet Angels clothing ministry will be closed during the month of July for volunteers to take vacations and to prepare for the Back to School Bash. TheBacktoSchoolBash is scheduled for 5:00-7:00 p.m.

Sizzlin’SundaysatFirst Baptist Church continue Sunday evening with an Independence Day theme at the home of Ginger and Clint Bumguardner. The celebration will begin at 6:00 p.m.