By Kathy Thomson This Saturday is Independence Day, and Albany Volunteer Fire Department chief Kyle Tischler reminded anyone planning to set off fireworks to be safety conscious. “I’m always excited about July 4, and I enjoy fireworks,” Tischler said.

By Kathy Thomson Several veteran Fandangle cast members traveled to Abilene on Wednesday, June 24 to perform a 20-minute “sampler” for the Abilene Kiwanis Club.

Former Shackelford County resident Joel Nelson, a Texas cowboy who some say has considerable talent with horses, will be the third recipient of the Ranching Heritage Association Working Cowboy Award during the 43rd Annual National Golden Spur Award dinner at 6:00 p.m. Saturday, Oct.

By Lynsi Musselman The July 6 “soft opening” of the new Shackelford County Senior Citizen Activity Center at 5 S. Jacobs St. has been postponed until further notice. Senior Center board president Tracy Sullivan said with the rise of new COVID-19 cases around the state, the board will follow Gov.

The City of Albany will test the emergency warning siren at 12:00 noon on Wednesday, July 8, as it does the second Wednesday of every month, depending on the weather.

By Donnie A. Lucas Albany secondary students and staff will have a new leader when the school year starts, with the hiring of new principal Glen Hill approved by the school board last month. Hill began working in the office on Monday, June 15 and will keep regular office hours, 7:00 a.m.

By Lynsi Musselman Many Albany families are looking forward to getting their child’s education back on track, and they are ready for the upcoming school year.  The first day of classes in Albany is planned for Wednesday, Aug. 19.

By Lynsi Musselman This summer, Old Jail Art Center children’s programs are going virtual. OJAC education director Erin Whitmore said that the August camps are usually offered in a one-day workshop format.

By Kathy Thomson ResourceCare summer day camp is scheduled to get underway next Monday, July 6, but with constantly changing guidelines for dealing with the coronavirus pandemic, plans were still up in the air at press time this week.

By Kathy Thomson Early voting for the primary run-off elections is currently underway, and registered Shackelford County voters can cast their ballots at the Courthouse today (July 2), Monday through Friday next week (July 6-10), or on Election Day, Tuesday, July 14.