By Donnie A. Lucas

Shackelford County residents have been fortunate not to have experienced any grass fires in the last couple of weeks, but officials say conditions will be favorable through this weekend and probably into next week for that to change.

“Conditions are there for fires to break out; we have just been fortunate,” Brad Henry, resource specialist for the Texas A&M Forest Service, said. “We have just been waiting for that spark.”

Henry also serves as the chief of the Shackelford County Fire Department that covers rural portions of the county.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Six of the seven members of the Shackelford County Hospital District’s board of directors met for a brief special session on Friday, July 1, with all but a couple of minutes held behind closed doors.

The meeting was called to order by the board president, Jo Ann Estridge, at 11:30 a.m., and it was immediately closed to discuss a possible pay raise for nurse practitioner Travis Wilburn, who has been at the local clinic for almost 20 years, starting in 2003.

By Melinda L. Lucas

A new ordinance governing occupancy of recreational vehicles (RVs) inside the Albany city limits was approved during the July 11 meeting of the Albany city council.

Council members also increased water and sewer tap rates.

Mayor pro tem Lester Galbreath conducted the meeting in the absence of Susan Montgomery.

RV Ordinance

By Sam Waller

Shackelford County 4-H elected to scrap the first session of its STEM camps this week, but Shackelford County extension agent Kelsey Bell said two other sessions are still scheduled.

Bell said low registration and staffing issues led to the decision to cancel this week’s session, which was to be held Tuesday, July 12.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The Ragin’ Red Lion Band will start preparing for the 2022 marching season on Monday, July 18 in the band hall with rehearsals for percussion and the pit crew.

Percussionists who stand on the sideline, known as the pit, will meet 12:30-2:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday, with the drum line scheduled for 3:00-5:00 p.m.

Students who want to start preparing for all-region tryouts in December can also come next week.

By Sam Waller

Incoming seventh graders have an opportunity to participate in a new program as part of the Community Vacation Bible School, which starts a four-day run on Sunday, July 24.

Sessions for the R.O.P.E. program (Rights of Passage Experience) for rising seventh graders will be held 5:45-8:15 p.m. at The Feed Store.

Darla Cotter will lead the program, which learning to handle issues facing those entering adolescence.

By Sam Waller

A mission team from First Baptist Church of Albany returned Friday, July 1 from a weeklong mission trip to Del Rio.

This year’s trip was dedicated to Dinty Bowman, who has headed up FBC mission trips for the last couple of decades. Bowman, who had already done much of the organization work for the 2022 undertaking, died unexpectedly a few weeks ago.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The number of positive COVID-19 tests is continuing to be steady over the last two weeks as the newer variant of the virus affects local residents.

A total of 14 positive results were reported by county judge Bob Skelton for the period of June 27 through July 8. The two local medical clinics administered a total of 25 tests during the period.

By Sam Waller

The Little Cubs Cheer Camp and junior high cheerleader camp are set for Monday through Wednesday, July 25-27.

Ages for the Little Cubs Cheer Camp is three years old up to incoming sixth grade students.

Sessions will be 9:30-11:30 a.m. with instruction by Albany’s varsity and junior high cheerleaders.

Each day of the camp will have a theme – Tie Dye for Monday, Rock & Roll for Tuesday, and Camo Shirt/Uniform for Wednesday. Cheer items will be for sale all three days of the camp.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Albany High School students scored above state averages in all five tested subject areas, according to results recently issued for the STAAR End-Of-Course  tests by the Texas Education Agency.

The tests were given in March for both English I and English II and in May for Algebra I, Biology, and U.S. History.

Students are required to pass all five tests to meet graduation requirements.

STAAR test scores for grades 3-8 have not been made official by TEA yet, although a release date is expected as soon as July 1.