By Donnie A. LucasA 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.

By Melinda L. LucasAfter holding the required hearings for the proposed budget for the 2023-2024 fiscal year and then for the proposed tax rate for 2024,  Shackelford County commissioners voted unanimously during a meeting on Thursday, Sept. 7 to adopt both.

By Melinda L. LucasAfter working through line items for all four divisions of the Shackelford County Hospital District in a special session on Wednesday, Sept. 6, board members ended up with a proposed budget based on the “voter approval” tax rate of 19.55 cents.

By Melinda L. LucasAlbany city council members voted during the regular monthly meeting time on Monday, Sept. 11 to adopt the tax rate that had been proposed on Aug. 21.Council members also decided, after a short closed session, to give city manager Billy Holson a raise.

By Sam WallerAlbany’s Bradee Stautzenberger had a big weekend at the West Texas Fair and Rodeo.Albany FFA students stayed busy in the fair’s second week, exhibiting livestock projects and competing in judging contests.Stautzenberger caught a calf in the calf scramble to finish seventh.

By Sam WallerThree Shackelford County 4-H members received awards for their entries in the Fine Arts Division at the West Texas Fair and Rodeo in Abilene.Carley Kreitler took three first places and a second with her projects.

By Donnie A. LucasResourceCare is hosting the 4th annual food drive contest for the Albany and Cross Plains locations, with a Chick-Fil-A lunch on the line for the winning class in both towns.The contest will continue through Monday, Oct. 9, with students competing by grade level at both schools.

By Donnie A. LucasStudents who are needing extra help can attend one of three after-school programs  offered at Nancy Smith Elementary and the Albany Jr./Sr. High campus.

By Donnie A. LucasOpen registration for GED classes continues weekly on Monday and Tuesday nights at the Shackelford County Library, according to local instructor Kenzie Fairchild.Classes started Monday with three students enrolling; however, students are free to begin the program at any point.

By Donnie A. LucasIt was a banner year at the 37th annual First Impressions pig sale benefiting the Shackelford County Youth and Livestock Association on Sunday, including the largest number of pigs sold, most buyers, and the highest gross sales.