By Sam Waller
Albany’s Parker Henry made his first foray into strongman competition a successful one, winning his weight class in the Big Country Showdown.
The event was held Saturday, Dec. 17 in Abilene, hosted by Riley Rodriguez of Heathen Training.
Henry won the 220- pound class, competing in events such as Atlas Stone, Viking Press, Truck Pull, Wagon Wheel Deadlift, and Hercules Grip.
And he won despite being bumped up a weight class.
By Sam Waller
Moran Independent School District began its spring semester Tuesday, Jan. 10, with 117 students for all grades.
The enrollment figure has increased by more than 20 students since the first day of class back in August.
“There’s comfort knowing people are happy in the success they’re seeing in their children, and they’re referring other people, newcomers to the area, to us,” Moran principal Jo Hise said.
Class Schedule
By Melinda L. Lucas
The filing period for local elections to various entities such as the school board, city council, and hospital board will begin Wednesday, Jan. 18.
The election date set by the state for all local elections is Saturday, May 6.
Candidates will have 30 days to sign up for spots on one of the local boards or councils, with the filing deadline set for Friday, Feb. 17 at 5:00 p.m.
By Melinda L. Lucas
Several Shackelford County elected officials, including first-time county judge John Viertel, took the oath of office during a brief ceremony in the second floor courtroom of the Shackelford County Courthouse on New Year’s Day, Jan. 1.
By Sam Waller
Shackelford County extension agent Kelsey Bell will host a continuing education program Friday, Jan. 13, at the Shackelford County Courthouse.
Registration for Managing Wildlife as a Beef Producer begins at 8:00 a.m. in the second floor courtroom.
“This is for the beef producer whose number one priority is raising beef, but they’re trying to manage natural resources, as well,” Bell said.
Registration is $20 per person. Bell said no RSVP is required.
By Donnie A. Lucas
Despite picking up just over $10,000 in the last two weeks, the Albany Chest is still short almost $8,200 of the $47,000 goal set for the year.
While technically the fund drive ended on Dec. 31, it has been common for the last few years to not reach the goal until the first or second week in January.
As of Tuesday, a total of $38,807 had been collected, with $8,193 still outstanding in the 2022 campaign.
By Sam Waller
Preparations for the Shackelford Youth and Livestock Show are picking up speed as the 2023 event draws nearer.
Shackelford Youth and Livestock Association president Bronco Askew said fundraising letters have been sent out in advance of the show.
“We’re just in the process of going and doing,” Askew said. “Everything’s on go, and we’re just waiting to get there.”
Askew said money raised by the association is primarily for the benefit of exhibitors with some used for operating expenses if needed.
By Melinda L. Lucas
Pick-up dates for the January distribution of the commodity food program are set for today (Thursday) in Moran and tomorrow for Albany recipients.
The monthly food program will be held from 9:00 until 11:00 a.m. at the Moran City Hall today, and again Friday from 9:00 until 11:00 a.m. in Albany at the Justice of the Peace office on the courthouse square.
All current participants were sent an application form for the 2023 program that must be completed and returned in order to be certified as qualifying for the program during the coming year.
By Donnie A. Lucas
Positive cases of both COVID-19 and the influenza were on the rise during the week prior to Christmas but slowed last week.
A total of 16 positive COVID-19 results were reported for the week of Dec. 19-23, along with 22 positive tests for the flu.
According to the final weekly report of 2022 by outgoing county judge Bob Skelton, 16 positives were recorded out of 29 COVID-19 tests administered by the two local health clinics during the week prior to Christmas.
By Sam Waller
More than 110 were served by volunteers from Matthews Memorial Presbyterian Church and the rest of the community as part of the annual MMPC Christmas Feast.
Event organizer Tamara Trail said there was only a slight dip from a year ago when approximately 120 meals were served.
“We delivered 67 meals and served about 45 in-house,” Trail said. “That seems to be consistent with the last few years.”
In past years, meals have been delivered to Vittles by Vehicles recipients, first responders and others working on Christmas Day.
