By Sam Waller

A fundraising drive to provide a new section to the veterans monument located at the Shackelford County Courthouse is kicking off this month.

Organizer Mary Kay O’Connor said a total of $4,135 is needed to provide the addition to the monument, which now lists more than 500 names of Shackelford County veterans.

“Hopefully, people will make donations to the fund,” O’Connor said. “If we need to have a fundraiser like a meal, maybe I can find some help to do that.”

By Donnie A. Lucas

The changing of the weather is a reminder that it is time to consider getting vaccinated against illnesses such as the flu.

Vaccinations for this year’s variant of influenza will be available locally as soon as next week for some local residents, and local health care providers are urging the public not to treat the virus lightly.

By Melinda L. Lucas

The board of directors of the Shackelford County Appraisal District approved the 2024 budget on a unanimous vote during a Sept. 14 meeting.

The vote came after a public hearing, with no one addressing the board.

The $468,469 budget is $25,725 more than last year’s original budget.

Present either in person or by phone were John Tate, Lanham Martin, James Shelton, and Cody Jordan.

The only other business was the presentation of the audit for the SCAD year ending Dec. 31, 2022. Auditor Cameron Gulley reported no findings.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Albany Junior/Senior High School students recently elected student council officers and representatives, along with a full slate of class officers.

Candidates for the student council officer positions each gave a brief introduction to the student body prior to the voting during a assembly for grades 9-12.

Senior Robyn Trail was elected as president for the council for the upcoming year, along with senior Adam Hill as vice president.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Two Albany High School students have received national recognition by the  College Board through its National Rural and Small Town Award.

Junior John Birkla and senior Maci Hatchett were among the 72,000 students from across the country who earned academic honors from College Board’s National Recognition Programs, according to Albany JH/SH counselor Brittney Harmon.

The honor is based on a student maintaining a 3.5 or higher GPA and scoring in the top 10 percent on the PSAT.

By Sam Waller

Albany students will again participate in the annual See You at the Pole prayer event Wednesday, Sept. 27.

At 7:00 a.m., Nancy Smith Elementary students and their parents will be served breakfast at Albany Church of Christ. At 7:30 a.m., students from kindergarten through sixth grade will walk in groups with adult sponsors from the church to the elementary school for a 7:40 a.m. gathering at the flag pole.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Things are starting to look a lot like fall at the Albany Chamber of Commerce offices as the time for the annual fall decorating of the business district of the town nears.

The Chamber is seeking volunteers to assist with putting up fall decorations on Saturday, Sept. 30.

“The Albany FFA kids brought the first load of cane to use with our fall decorations,” Chamber Manager Brandi Lehew said Tuesday. “I have also been working on fluffing up the bows and getting the pumpkin plaques out that will go up.”

By Donnie A. Lucas

Directors of the Albany Chest met on Wednesday, Sept. 13, to organize the 2023 fundraising drive, elect four board members, and vote on officers.

The deadline for organizations to turn in funding requests was officially set for Friday, Sept. 29, and the board’s next meeting will be held at The Feed Store on Wednesday, Oct. 4 at 5:15 p.m. to evaluate the applications and decide on the fundraising target for the 2023 Chest drive.

By Sam Waller

It’s homecoming week at Moran with several activities on the schedule.

This year’s homecoming will recognize the Classes of 1973 and 1974 for their 50th anniversaries and the Classes of ’98 and ’99 for their 25th.

During the week, students have taken part in dress-up days such as Favorite Jersey, Disney, and Crazy Hair. Thursday, Sept. 21 (today) is Spirit Day with everyone encouraged to wear purple and gold.

On Friday, Sept. 22, an alumni volleyball match is scheduled for 6:00 p.m., followed by an alumni football game at 7:30 p.m.

By Donnie A. Lucas

A ribbon cutting Friday at the Shackelford County Show Barn officially marked the opening of the remodeled facility, giving county officials, donors, volunteers and the public a look at improvements.

The ceremony was sponsored by the Albany Chamber of Commerce, with close to 100 interested parties on hand for the event.

The project was started in the spring with fundraising that totaled $375,000 to bring the 50-year-old structure up to date.