By Melinda L. Lucas
About a dozen citizens attended an advertised public hearing Monday morning regarding proposed subdivision regulations for the unincorporated portions of Shackelford County.
County judge Robert Skelton opened the hearing by stating that commissioners had no underlying intentions in their plan to put the regulations in place.
By Melinda L. Lucas
During the first five minutes of a special called Sunday evening meeting of the Shackelford County Hospital District’s board of directors, Albany native Brandi Green was selected as the district’s new administrator.
Green was one of seven applicants for the position, which has been vacant since Jera Fairley left in June 2021. She has been the office manager at the district’s health clinic for several years and had assumed many of the administrator’s duties after Fairley’s departure.
By Donnie A. Lucas
Shackelford County residents who haven’t yet registered to vote have until April 7 to sign up if they want to participate in the special statewide amendment election and the county-wide hospital district election on May 7.
Voter registration applications can be found online at votetexas.gov or filled out in person at the Voter Registration/Tax Assessor-Collector’s office at the Shackelford County Courthouse.
By Donnie A. Lucas
Rehearsals for the Sampler of the 2022 Ft. Griffin Fandangle are set for the next couple of weeks on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Bank Park in downtown Albany, starting at 7:30 p.m.
Director Lorna Ayers is urging people to come to rehearsals since the sampler show is so close.
“We are moving outside starting tonight to the Bank Park to work on blocking,” Ayers said. “We met at first in the Aztec to learn music, but now it’s time to get outside and start staging.”
By Melinda L. Lucas
An Albany blood drive is set for today, March 24.
Hendrick Regional Blood Center will park the bloodmobile at First Baptist Church at the usual time from 1:00 to 6:00 p.m.
The blood center depends on volunteer blood donors to supply 100 percent of the blood that is used for patient care at 17 area hospitals.
Blood center officials said that there is always a need for blood donors of all types. In particular, officials said those who have O+ and O- are needed.
By Melinda L. Lucas
The resignation of Albany ISD technology director Daniel Key was accepted with regrets at the Monday, March 21 meeting of the AISD school board.
Superintendent Jonathan Scott announced that Kevin Hill would be filling that position for the remainder of the year.
Scott also stated that eight applications have been received for IT director, three of them from Albany residents and two within the AISD system.
By Donnie A. Lucas
The Albany Chamber of Commerce will host its annual Membership Drive Crawfish Drive at the Depot on April 7 beginning at 6:30 p.m.
“All Chamber members are invited,” Chamber executive secretary Mary Beth Jones said. “This is an appreciation event for all current members.”
A check-in table will be set up in the parking lot at the Chamber office for anyone who wants to join or renew a membership.
Attendees will be able to sign up for drawings to give out Albany Bucks that can be redeemed at various businesses.
By Sam Waller
The Shackelford County 4-H Club enjoyed a busy spring break week with a wide variety of activities.
On Thursday, March 17 the club took a field trip to the Old Zoo Nature Trail in Cisco.
“We did that just for fun,” Shackelford County extension agent Kelsey Bell said. “We wanted to get the kids who didn’t travel for spring break out and do something.”
On Saturday, March 19 the horse club conducted a clinic on working cattle at the LeMay family arena. Bell said about 25 participants from Shackelford, Callahan, and Coleman counties attended.
By Sam Waller
Friendship Baptist Church is taking donations to help with relief efforts for tornado victims in Jacksboro, according to pastor Paul Johnston.
Jacksboro was struck Monday by a line of storms that left a two-mile wide strip of damage. National Weather Service surveyors confirmed that 10 tornados touched down in the area.
The City of Jacksboro Animal Shelter was destroyed, and the Jacksboro High School gym was heavily damaged.
Friendship Baptist is accepting water and nonperishable items through this week with plans to deliver supplies soon.
By Sam Waller
Kirk House will return to Albany Sunday, March 27 for a Praise & Worship Night at The Feed Store.
The program begins at 6:30 p.m.
“We had Kirk in November of last year and are really glad he was able to come back and join us,” Feed Store director Tisha Wilkins said. “We had a really good crowd last time and are hoping for just as many people this time.”
House has gained popularity as a performer in Abilene.
