By Melinda L. Lucas

A crowd of almost 350 students, parents and staff attended the annual Academic Banquet on Monday to honor academic excellence of students in a variety of activities including Academic UIL events, journalism, band, FFA, one-act play and FCCLA.

Students scoring well on the ACT and SAT college entrance exams, along with those maintaining an average of 90 or above in all classes for the year, were also recognized.

A packed crowd filled the Albany City Council meeting Monday night as dozens of residents, pastors, and visitors urged city leaders to pass an ordinance declaring Albany a “Sanctuary City for the Unborn.” The proposed ordinance would ban abortion within city limits and allow private citizens to file lawsuits against those who help perform or obtain one — including individuals who assist someone traveling through Albany for the purpose of obtaining an abortion elsewhere.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Following a postponement a month ago due to rain, the second consecutive year for that to happen, the 18th annual Albany Classic Car Show went off without a hitch last weekend under clear skies and fair temperatures.

Organizer Robert Snyder reported that close to 80 vehicles were entered in the show.

Shackelford County commissioners voted Monday to table a proposed easement agreement from FiberLight, LLC regarding a 60’ x 60’ area at the Law Enforcement Center, citing errors and unresolved questions in the contract.

The offer, submitted in writing by FiberLight, outlines a one-time payment of $40,000 in exchange for an exclusive easement to install fiber infrastructure on county property for a term of 49 years. A clause also stipulates that if the agreement is not executed, the company would pay $1,000 to the county.