By Melinda L. Lucas

Members of the Old Jail Art Center will get an up-close look at three new exhibits during a reception on Saturday, Sept. 23, with the galleries then open to the public during regular museum hours.

The OJAC staff has been busy preparing for the weekend’s opening, with both artists on hand earlier in the week to install their pieces.

In addition to viewing the exhibitions, those attending the reception will have a chance to meet the artists.

Fall Features

By Sam Waller

A fundraising drive to provide a new section to the veterans monument located at the Shackelford County Courthouse is kicking off this month.

Organizer Mary Kay O’Connor said a total of $4,135 is needed to provide the addition to the monument, which now lists more than 500 names of Shackelford County veterans.

“Hopefully, people will make donations to the fund,” O’Connor said. “If we need to have a fundraiser like a meal, maybe I can find some help to do that.”

By Donnie A. Lucas

The changing of the weather is a reminder that it is time to consider getting vaccinated against illnesses such as the flu.

Vaccinations for this year’s variant of influenza will be available locally as soon as next week for some local residents, and local health care providers are urging the public not to treat the virus lightly.

By Melinda L. Lucas

The board of directors of the Shackelford County Appraisal District approved the 2024 budget on a unanimous vote during a Sept. 14 meeting.

The vote came after a public hearing, with no one addressing the board.

The $468,469 budget is $25,725 more than last year’s original budget.

Present either in person or by phone were John Tate, Lanham Martin, James Shelton, and Cody Jordan.

The only other business was the presentation of the audit for the SCAD year ending Dec. 31, 2022. Auditor Cameron Gulley reported no findings.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Albany Junior/Senior High School students recently elected student council officers and representatives, along with a full slate of class officers.

Candidates for the student council officer positions each gave a brief introduction to the student body prior to the voting during a assembly for grades 9-12.

Senior Robyn Trail was elected as president for the council for the upcoming year, along with senior Adam Hill as vice president.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Two Albany High School students have received national recognition by the  College Board through its National Rural and Small Town Award.

Junior John Birkla and senior Maci Hatchett were among the 72,000 students from across the country who earned academic honors from College Board’s National Recognition Programs, according to Albany JH/SH counselor Brittney Harmon.

The honor is based on a student maintaining a 3.5 or higher GPA and scoring in the top 10 percent on the PSAT.

By Sam Waller

The Moran Lady Bulldogs dropped two road matches last week, one while playing shorthanded, before finally getting to take their home court for the first time this season.

On Sept. 19, Moran hosted Rotan in the first event on the new floor recently installed in the gym. A ribbon cutting for the renovated facility was held earlier that afternoon.

Results of the game will be reported next week.

Moran will host Trent at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 23 in the first of several homecoming activities scheduled.

By Sam Waller

Albany students will again participate in the annual See You at the Pole prayer event Wednesday, Sept. 27.

At 7:00 a.m., Nancy Smith Elementary students and their parents will be served breakfast at Albany Church of Christ. At 7:30 a.m., students from kindergarten through sixth grade will walk in groups with adult sponsors from the church to the elementary school for a 7:40 a.m. gathering at the flag pole.

By Sam Waller

A wide variety of pumpkins will be available Saturday, Sept. 30 at Bethel Assembly’s The Patch fundraiser at Bank Park.

Organizer Christina Daugherty said seven pallets of pumpkins have been ordered.

“We will have Fairytale pumpkins, Cinderella, Ghost White, and a specialty mix like Fancy Jacks,” she said.

The event raises funds to be used for community outreach programs.

Pumpkin sales begin at 9:00 a.m. and will continue until all are sold.

By Sam Waller

First Baptist Church of Albany will begin a series of small group Bible studies the week of Oct. 1.

The groups are:

Sunday night – 6:00-7:00 p.m. (childcare provided)

Tuesday night – 6:00-7:30 p.m.

Wednesday – noon-1:30 p.m.

For more information, call the church office at 325-762-2019 or Ginger Bumguardner at 325-660-5420.

Sunday Night Kids

First Baptist Sunday evening children’s program is underway.

Choir practice is held 4:30-5:30 p.m.