By Sandy Morris

With COVID making its mark on several major livestock shows, local students have been preparing themselves and their pigs by attending jackpot shows.

Albany High School senior Carli Edgar brought home a Senior Showmanship award from the Lone­star Classic in Abilene in November.

Edgar placed first in several other categories along with her siblings who also participated in the Lonestar Classic, which is a jackpot show that draws hundreds of pigs from around the state.

By Sandy Morris

The Shackelford County Youth and Livestock Show is just two weeks away, with weigh-in for hogs, lambs, and goats on Thursday, Jan. 21, and classes judged on Friday and Saturday, Jan. 22-23.

According to organizers, donations are still needed in order to offset show expenses and provide prizes and premiums to the exhibitors.

“We are currently at $15,000,” said SCYLA treasurer Molly Cauble on Tuesday, Jan. 5. “All donations go toward the expenses of the stock show, such as ribbons, belt buckles, supplies, and premium money.”

By Sandy Morris

Local residents who want to run for the various city council, hospital district, or school board positions in the Saturday, May 1 election may begin filing the required paperwork on Wednesday, Jan. 13.

Filing closes a month later on Friday, Feb. 12 at 5:00 p.m. There is no filing fee.

Albany City Council

Three of the two-year city council positions expire this cycle, including the seat currently filled by Don Taggart, along with the position left vacant by the late Carolyn Waller.

By Sandy Morris

The Albany Chamber of Commerce ended a successful year of promoting the community when the winners of the Holiday House Decorating Contest were announced on Christmas Eve.

Albany Chamber of Commerce director Mary Beth Jones announced the winners live on Facebook on Thursday, Dec. 24. 

The first place award for the most “Beautiful” home went to Samantha Isbell, earning her a prize of $100 in Albany Bucks.

Second place went to Red and Shirley Alexander with a prize of $50 in Albany Bucks. 

By Sandy Morris

Pick-up dates for the January distribution of the commodity food program will be Thursday, Jan. 7 and Friday, Jan. 8.

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, Jan. 7. 

Albany families who have been certified as eligible for the November food distribution program may pick up their food on Friday, Jan. 8, from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. at the rear door of the JP office. 

The City of Albany will test the emergency warning siren at 12:00 noon next Wednesday, Jan. 13, as it does the second Wednesday of every month, depending on the weather.

The tests keep citizens familiar with the three warning sounds, and they are also used to make sure that the siren, computer, software, and radios are working correctly.

The siren should sound one of the three emergency tones at noon on that day, but the siren is not tested if the weather is questionable, according to local fire chief Kyle Tischler. 

SEVERE WEATHER

By Melinda L. Lucas

This time last year, local residents were worried about catching the flu.

In 2021, following several weeks of holiday travel and family gatherings, the expected surge of COVID-19 cases is hitting Shackelford County, and local residents are beginning to look for options as the vaccine becomes available in other areas.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Several new Shackelford County elected officials took the oath of office for the first time during a brief ceremony in the second floor courtroom of the Shackelford County Courthouse on New Year’s Day, Jan. 1.

Newly elected county attorney Rollin Rauschl and constable Xavier Perez were among those who started new four-year terms that day.

The oaths were administered by county judge Robert Skelton, who had just returned to work after being quarantined over Christmas.

By Sandy Morris

It was a photo finish, but the Albany Community Chest campaign surged ahead and met the campaign goal a little after 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 31. 

Right before Christmas, donations jumped, which allowed the organization to go over the 50 percent mark, but Chest directors were still concerned about how many contributions were still needed to meet the 2020 fundraising goal of $41,000. 

By Sandy Morris

The Moran Independent School District will be closed for the Christmas break through Friday, Jan. 1. Classes will resume at their regular time on Monday, Jan. 4.

Lady Bulldog 

Basketball

The varsity girls basketball team traveled to Graford on Friday, Dec. 15. The Lady Bulldogs came up short losing 47-19, bringing their record to 0-5.

Dariann Hawley was Moran’s leading scorer with 15 points, followed by Emily Murk and Chloe Hendricks with two points each.