By Melinda L. Lucas

After satisfactorily completing a 90-day trial period, Brandi Green’s employment as Shackelford County Hospital District administrator was extended during a regular board meeting on Monday, July 18.

Green, who was moved to the administrator position on March 31, also received a $1,000 raise that will be divided in her paychecks between now and the end of the year.

The action came after a 30-minute closed session during which a housekeeping contract was also discussed.

Dax Neece of Albany graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Financial Management at Abilene Christian University’s May 2022 commencement.

Neece, an Albany High School graduate, is the son of Kim Neece Fuentes and the late Doug Neece. He plans to stay at ACU to obtain a master’s degree.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Some members of the high school band percussion section started daily practices for the 2022 marching season this week, with rehearsals expanding to all players next week.

The band’s pit crew met from 12:30 until 2:30 p.m. on Monday through Thursday last week, followed by the drumline at 3:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m.

“Some of the percussionists weren’t able to attend due a conflict with church camp, but we will get everyone coming next week,” band director William Vaughan said.

By Melinda L. Lucas

The deadline for the Old Jail Art Center children’s workshop has passed, but organizers are willing to accept a few more signups.

According to education director Erin Whitmore, the virtual camps are full, but spots are available for the in-person Safari and Re-Create camps, and families need to sign up by this Saturday, July 23 if they want to participate.

The Aug. 3 Cultural Connections Camp about Greece is full, said Whitmore, both virtually and in person. The puppet classes, to be held online Aug. 10-12, are also filled.

By Sam Waller

The second date for the Shackelford County 4-H STEM camp was cancelled because of COVID-19 cases in the family of Shackelford County extension agent Kelsey Bell, but at press time, leaders were still hoping to conduct the July 26 event.

Bell said with her staying home to care for family members and Kelli Kreitler out of town, there weren’t enough adult leaders available to conduct this week’s session.

By Melinda L. Luca

A blood drive is scheduled to take place in Albany next Thursday, July 28.

Hendrick Regional Blood Center will park its bloodmobile at First Baptist Church at the usual time from 1:00 until 6:00 p.m.

The blood center depends on volunteer blood donors to supply 100 percent of the blood that is used for patient care at 17 area hospitals.

Blood center officials said that there is always a need for blood donors of all types. In particular, officials said those who have O+ and O- are needed.

By Melinda L. Lucas

New and ongoing recipients of the Albany ISD Education Foundation scholarships need to provide proof of enrollment in order to receive their awards for the fall 2022 semester.

A total of 30 new 2022 graduate recipients need proof of enrollment, which is typically a class schedule for the fall semester, and the award letter that was in the scholarship envelope they received at graduation.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Registration for all Albany ISD students will open online beginning Monday, Aug. 1, according to school officials.

The district is once again using the Ascender Parent Portal for registration, with a link available on the district website. Parents are instructed to access the “Parents Sources” tab, then look for the Ascender Parent Portal.

Parents can login to an existing account or create a new account if they do not have one. Follow the instructions provided on the website.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Four members of the Albany FFA chapter and sponsor Chris Beard attended the Texas FFA State Convention in Ft. Worth last week, picking up a pair of awards won by the local chapter.

Representing Albany at the convention were Leddie Leech, Gracie Price, Robyn Trail, and Kenzie Neve. The students attended several leadership sessions while at the event hosted at the Ft. Worth convention center on July 11-15.

Three members of the group also served as voting delegates on several policy items, along with state officers and talent show winners.

By Sam Waller

Preparations for Community Vacation Bible School are under way with volunteers setting up for the event, which will run Sunday, July 24 through Wednesday, July 27.

A new feature for this year is the addition of the R.O.P.E. program (Rights of Passage Experience) for rising seventh graders. That group will meet 5:45-8:15 p.m. at The Feed Store.

Darla Cotter will lead the program, which focuses on learning to handle issues facing those entering adolescence.