By Lynsi Musselman

Opening day of dove season is like a holiday in Albany, especially when it brings cooler temperatures and rain.

Early morning gunshots were heard on Tuesday, Sept. 1 when the 2020 season began.

As the week moved into Labor Day weekend, out of town hunters and locals hit the fields and the town.

Richardson resident Wilson Allen, who came with several hunters from the Metroplex as a group with McCarthy Partners, said not only does Albany sit in a great flight pattern for dove but the town is a lure as well.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Following a series of budget workshops over the past month, Shackelford County commissioners met in a special session on Tuesday morning, Sept. 8 to propose a deficit budget for the fiscal year that starts Oct. 1 and a tax rate that promises to raise “no-new-revenue” (NNR) for the upcoming tax year.

The only part of the proposed budget that was discussed Tuesday morning was increasing county employee salaries by three percent, accounting for an additional $70,000, including retirement, Social Security, and Medicare costs.

By Lynsi Musselman

The Old Jail Art Center announces two new exhibitions set to open on Saturday, Sept. 12 and run through Jan. 30, 2021.

OJAC executive director Patrick Kelly said the new exhibits will appeal to the interests of a broad audience.

“Basil Clemons’ photographs give historical insight into life in West Texas some 100 years ago,” Kelly explained. “Houston artist Charis Ammon’s paintings are thoughtful and represent much more than just a record of what we encounter in urban areas.”

Basil Clemons Exhibit 

By Lynsi Musselman

Albany resident Amy Kelly, along with Shackelford County officials  announce the Your Vote Matters voter registration and voter participation campaign.

Kelly is the campaign volunteer deputy registrar and hopes to increase voter awareness and participation in Shackelford County.

She explained the campaign really helps people know the when, who, how, why, and where of the local voting process.

By Melinda Lucas

A budget of $3,049,455 was proposed for the Shackelford County Hospital District at the end of a special meeting on Friday afternoon, Sept. 4 by the board of directors.

The vote was made on a motion by Chris Beard, seconded by Jo Ann Estridge. 

Some of the biggest jumps came in the areas of back-up pay for ambulance personnel as the board tries to bring wages up to a competitive level and in ambulance equipment as plans are made for the purchase of a cardiac monitor and a new self-lifting stretcher.

By Lynsi Musselman

Albany Junior Senior High principal Glenn Hill has adopted ‘Row the Boat’ as the 2020-2021 school year’s ‘never give up’ mantra.

“This year is a year of uncertainty for everyone,” Hill said. “I wanted to use something with the staff and students to help us face any adversity that may come our way.”

By Lynsi Musselman

Shackelford County 4-H Club is starting a horse program, beginning with monthly clinics, according to Shackelford County extension agent Kloey Painter.

“We plan to have a roping clinic, barrels and poles, goat roping and tying, and a polo horse clinic,” Painter said. “There are plans to host some play days and mini rodeos in Shackelford County.”

Painter said there will be a meeting for anyone interested at Matthews Memorial Presbyterian Church on Thursday, Sept. 10 at 5:30 p.m..

By Lynsi Musselman

Albany agriculture students started the show season with the first weekend of the West Texas Fair and Rodeo in Abilene.

Market lamb shows and the first cattle judging took place on Friday and Saturday, Sept. 4-5 for Albany participants.

Pepper Martin showed in the junior lamb shows A & B, and Bryce Asher showed in junior lamb show B.

Gracie Price placed third in the open Angus heifer show on Friday and placed fourth in the junior Angus heifer show on Saturday.

By Lynsi Musselman

Friendship Baptist Church will be hosting its  annual three-day revival event this Sunday, Sept. 13 at 10:55 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., on Monday, Sept. 14 at 6:00 p.m., and on Tuesday, Sept. 15 at 6:00 p.m.

Mary Lee Vinson of Hawley will lead the music, and pastor Kerry Pack from Andrews will be the speaker for all four services of the Homegrown Revival.

Pack is a traveling pastor previously of Cross bar Cowboy Church in Andrews. He is a 1996 graduate of Albany High School.

By Lynsi Musselman

This weekend, on Sunday, Sept. 13 at 1:00 p.m., the Shackelford County Youth & Livestock Association members will host the 34th Annual First Impressions Invitational Pig Sale at the county show barn.

Organizers are expecting 16 consignors from four states to bring 100 pigs for the competition and sale.

Local 4-H and FFA members and their families started working two weeks ago to insure that the facilities are clean and ready for the annual pig sale.