The Fort Griffin Fandangle will open its 88th season Friday night at the Prairie Theater, beginning two weekends of performances that annually draw thousands of visitors to Albany.
The first performances of the 2026 production are scheduled for Friday and Saturday, June 19-20, with the final two shows set for June 26-27.
If you’ve spent any time on Facebook lately, chances are you’ve seen one of Jacob Cleveland’s bee removal videos.
Over the past several weeks, the Albany pest control owner has posted photos and videos showing massive honeycombs hidden under pool decks, inside chimneys and beneath roofs. The posts have attracted plenty of attention, with residents often sharing them and tagging friends who might have a bee problem of their own.
The online exposure has also helped spread the word about Cleveland’s work.
By Kelsey Bell
Shackelford County
Extension Agent
Those of us that work in agriculture and wildlife industries have been watching the Northern advancement of the New World Screwworm since 2023. Unfortunately, it’s now getting way too close for us to be comfortable. As of the writing of this article, 12 cases of NWS have been confirmed in six Texas counties, with the furthest northern case being in Tom Green County, roughly 100 miles from us.
On Saturday night, a sold-out crowd packed Billy Bob’s Texas to watch one of the fastest-rising bands in the country take the stage.
Among them was Albany High School graduate Ty Anderson.
For many Texas musicians, performing at Billy Bob’s is a career milestone. Selling it out is something else entirely.
What started as a weekend road trip to Branson, Missouri, ended in victory for Team Grease Worms.
The Albany-based team of Robert Snyder, Craig Winters, Matt Birkla and Blake Estridge returned from the 2026 Buffalo Run Adventure Challenge after raising $270,665 for Camp Able, earning top fundraising honors among all participating teams and helping push the overall fundraiser past the $1 million mark for the first time.
With opening night now just a week away, preparations for the 88th annual Fort Griffin Fandangle are entering the final stretch as organizers finalize schedules and continue encouraging participation in the annual parade.
This year’s performances are scheduled for June 19-20 and June 26-27 at the Prairie Theater. Gates will open at 7 p.m. each evening, followed by a calliope concert by Louann George at 7:30 p.m. Show time is 8:30 p.m.
The Shackelford County Library’s summer Story Hour continues with upcoming Tuesday programs featuring live animals from the Abilene Zoo and hands-on crafts led by the Old Jail Art Center, as the weekly series moves through the remainder of June.
This week’s Story Hour session on June 9 included a leopard tortoise, rough plated lizard, tenrec and Swainson’s hawk, along with a coordinating animal journal craft for participating children.
Four Albany men will hit the road today as Team Grease Worms begins another journey in support of Camp Able during the 2026 Buffalo Run Adventure Challenge.
Returning team members Robert Snyder, Craig Winters and Matt Birkla are adding a fourth member this year, Blake Estridge, as they join dozens of teams from across Texas for the annual fundraiser, which combines a road trip, scavenger hunt and fundraising campaign into one weekend adventure.
Tickets are selling steadily for the 88th annual Fort Griffin Fandangle as rehearsals continue ahead of opening night later this month.
This year’s performances are scheduled for June 19-20 and June 26-27 at the Prairie Theater. With opening night less than three weeks away, cast members and volunteers have already been rehearsing for more than a month, with practices now taking place almost every night of the week.
The Shackelford County Library’s annual summer story hour continues every Tuesday through the end of June, offering children a fun and educational opportunity to explore the world of animals through stories, crafts, and live demonstrations.
Also underway is the library’s Summer Reading Program, with free pizza available for those who complete the reading goals for their age group, with ages all the way through high school. The program ends July 31.
