By Sandy Morris

The last time Albany hosted the Hereford Ball was in February of 1921, but the Albany Chamber has plans to bring back the celebration 100 years later.

Albany Chamber of Commerce director Mary Beth Jones said the ball is a dress-up celebration of Shackelford County’s ranches and history.

Plans are in place for the Hereford Ball set for Saturday, Feb. 27 at the Whitney Theater. 

“All advertising tables are sold for the Hereford Ball,” said Jones. “Invitations to Chamber members went out and tickets were quickly purchased. 

By Sandy Morris

The Albany Chamber of Commerce will hold its regular weekly Chamber luncheon on Friday, Jan. 29 at the Beehive.

Chamber luncheons are held each Friday from 12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m. and are open to anyone who would like to get involved and help with the various Chamber projects throughout the year.

Albany Chamber of Commerce director Mary Beth Jones said all February meetings also will be held at the Beehive. 

For more information on any current or future Chamber events, contact Jones at the Chamber office at 325-762-2525. 

By Sandy Morris

Employees at the local Dollar General had a scare on Tuesday, Jan. 26 around 10:15 a.m. when a pickup truck rolled onto the sidewalk in front of the store. 

Dollar General assistant manager Trisha Reyes said all of the employees were pretty shaken up but there were no injuries.

“I had a girl working the register when the truck struck the front of the building,” Reyes said. “The cigarette case was behind her, which shielded her from the shattered glass when the front window was broken.”

By Sandy Morris

There are only a little over two weeks left in the  filing period for local board elections, and as of press time on Tuesday, a total of eight candidates had turned in their paperwork for various positions that will be decided on May 1.

Albany City Council

All incumbents currently serving on the Albany City Council have filed for re-election including Mayor Susan Montgomery and council members Don Taggart, Austin Sherwood, and Lynsi Musselman.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Even though Shackelford County commissioners spent a portion of their Monday session discussing prescribed burn criteria that would go into effect when a burn ban is in place, the item was tabled until wording can be finalized.   

Several local ranchers and land managers presented the proposal at a Jan. 19 meeting, asking that there be exceptions for prescribed burn plans even when a burn ban is in effect.

By Sandy Morris

Pick-up dates for the February distribution of the commodity food program will be Thursday, Feb. 4 and Friday, Feb. 5.

Certified eligible families in Moran should pick up their monthly commodity food at the Moran City Hall between 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 4. 

Albany families can pick up on Friday, Jan. 8, from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. at the rear door of the JP office. 

Families are reminded to complete a 2021 application when they come to pick up their food.

By Sandy Morris

The 2021 Shackelford County Youth and Livestock Association county livestock show and sale was held at the county show barn last weekend, Jan. 22-23, and according to association president Bronco Askew, the show overall went very well.

“We had a great show,” said Askew. “We don’t have complete totals yet, but I feel this year was better than average.”

Askew felt that the show organizers also did a good job of addressing any COVID concerns.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Registration for Albany Little League teams, including T-ball, Coach Pitch, Little League Majors and Minors, Intermediate and Junior League, will start Monday, Jan. 25 and continue through Feb. 8.

Students at Nancy Smith Elementary School will have forms sent home on Monday, with completed papers returned by the Feb. 8 deadline.

Students attending Albany Junior High will be able to pick up forms in the school office. Completed paperwork needs to be returned to the school by Feb. 8.

By Sandy Morris

Despite COVID concerns, the Big Country chapter of Fellowship of Christian Athletes is moving forward with its annual Weekend of Champions, but with a slight change. 

This year the Weekend of Champions camps will be a one-day only event with the Girls Weekend scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 23 from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Solid Rock Christian Camp in Eastland.  

The Boys Weekend is scheduled for the following Saturday, Jan. 30 from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Beltway South in Abilene. 

Makaela Rae Henry, daughter of David and Megan Henry of Albany was united in marriage on Sept. 19, 2020 to Justin Doyle Jones, son of Ken and Kelley Jones, also of Albany. Dr. Ronald Rainwater, professor at Hardin-Simmons University, officiated at the cere­mony held outside at dusk at Happy Wife Happy Life Wedding Venue at Albany.

The bride is the granddaughter of Lonell and Anita Henry of Albany and the late David and Marcelyn Makela of Abilene.

Grandparents of the groom are Doyle and Nina Jones and Johnny and Rebecca White, all of Albany.