By Sam Waller

Shackelford County 4-H kicked off its new year with an organizational meeting Monday at The Feed Store.

Shackelford County extension agent Kelsey Bell said the gathering drew about 80 attendees with 23 4-Hers enrolling in projects.

“We had seven adult volunteers who gave out information about their respective programs that they’re running this year,” Bell said. “Parents were given information about what the year is going to look like in each of those programs.”

By Sam Waller

The Albany Chamber of Commerce directors are continuing with preparations to put up fall street decorations, and they are also taking entries for the inaugural Home of the Hereford Cookoff and Cornhole Tournament.

Decorations will go up on Saturday, Sept. 25, Chamber manager Mary Beth Jones said.

“Anybody is welcome to come help,” she said.

Jones said between 150 and 200 decorations will be put on display.

By Donnie A. Lucas

New band uniforms for the Ragin’ Red Band arrived this week, continuing an effort to overhaul the group’s sound and look with new or refurbished instruments in order to increase participation in the program.

A total of 75 uniforms were being unboxed on Tuesday, in preparation to be debuted on Friday, Sept. 24 at the Albany vs. Anson football game.

The new suits have a top that is mostly red and white with the Albany Lion logo, along with gray pants.

By Melinda L. Lucas

On a unanimous vote, the board of directors for the Shackelford County Appraisal District approved a 2022 budget of $397,937 during an early morning meeting Sept. 10.

All seven directors were present and voted in favor, including Robert Skelton, Clint Bumguardner, Russell Chapman, John Tate, Bruce Bailey, Lanham Martin, and James Shelton.

The board also acccepted the bank bid from First National Bank and approved a few changes in the employee handbook.

By Melinda L. Lucas

The Shackelford County Hospital District’s board of directors will meet next Monday, Sept. 20. in expectation of adopting the $2.8 million budget that was proposed Aug. 30, along with the “no-new-revenue” tax rate of 20.67 cents. 

The required public hearing for the budget will be held prior to the vote.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Shackelford County Resource Center’s senior day lunches normally would start in September after taking a break for the summer months.

However, Resource Care staff members have announced they will not be hosting the monthly Friday meals until the COVID-19 situation has improved, according to program director Mindy Ary.

Ary said that Resource Care’s medical director feels that the risk is still too great with the present resurgence of the virus.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The rise in the number of COVID-19 cases appears to be leveling off if not decreasing slightly over the last week.

A total of 44 tests were administered from Tuesday, Sept. 7 through Friday, Sept. 10, with 18 cases testing positive.

The numbers were reported by county judge Bob Skelton earlier this week and included statistics reported by both the Shackelford Hospital Clinic and ResourceCare Community Health Center in Albany.

The hospital clinic had a total of 13 tests with three positives on Monday of this week.

By Melinda L. Lucas

The Albany city council passed a new tax rate at Monday’s regular meeting, but a bigger discussion involved higher water rates that just went into effect into the current billing cycle. 

After taking care of regular agenda items, council members went into closed session for more than a hour to discuss the responsibilities and job description for the city manager position, according to Albany mayor Susan Montgomery, but no action was taken when the meeting was reopened to the public and then adjourned.

Tax Rate

By Donnie A. Lucas

Homecoming 2021 is set for Friday, Oct. 1, with organizers breathing a little easier this year compared to the restrictions last year due to the ­COVID-19 pandemic.

The annual homecoming parade is set to roll through downtown at 5:00 p.m., followed by the Albany vs. Olney football game at 7:00 p.m.

Homecoming royalty will be presented at halftime, including the crowning of the Homecoming King and Queen. Nominees from the senior class were selected by the four high school grade levels last week, along with a Prince and Princess for grades 9-11.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Members of the Old Jail Art Center will get an advance look at two new exhibits during a dinner reception on Saturday, Sept. 11, but tickets must be reserved by today’s deadline.

The featured exhibits include Bill Wittliff’s “Swallowed Light” and Bruce Lee Webb’s “Hootenanny,” and both will continue to hang through January 2022.

The evening is open free of charge to members of the local art center, but an RSVP must be received by Sept. 9. The festivities will start at 7:00 p.m.