By Melinda L. Lucas

Six of the seven members of the Shackelford County Hospital District’s board of directors met for a brief special session on Friday, July 1, with all but a couple of minutes held behind closed doors.

The meeting was called to order by the board president, Jo Ann Estridge, at 11:30 a.m., and it was immediately closed to discuss a possible pay raise for nurse practitioner Travis Wilburn, who has been at the local clinic for almost 20 years, starting in 2003.

By Melinda L. Lucas

A new ordinance governing occupancy of recreational vehicles (RVs) inside the Albany city limits was approved during the July 11 meeting of the Albany city council.

Council members also increased water and sewer tap rates.

Mayor pro tem Lester Galbreath conducted the meeting in the absence of Susan Montgomery.

RV Ordinance

By Sam Waller

Shackelford County 4-H elected to scrap the first session of its STEM camps this week, but Shackelford County extension agent Kelsey Bell said two other sessions are still scheduled.

Bell said low registration and staffing issues led to the decision to cancel this week’s session, which was to be held Tuesday, July 12.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The Ragin’ Red Lion Band will start preparing for the 2022 marching season on Monday, July 18 in the band hall with rehearsals for percussion and the pit crew.

Percussionists who stand on the sideline, known as the pit, will meet 12:30-2:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday, with the drum line scheduled for 3:00-5:00 p.m.

Students who want to start preparing for all-region tryouts in December can also come next week.

By Sam Waller

The Hubbard Creek Rangers, the combined Albany-Breckenridge Intermediate All-Star team, qualified for the Texas West State Little League Tournament by sweeping Southeast Arlington in the Texas West Section 2 series earlier this month.

The Rangers defeated Southeast Arlinton 19-3 on Saturday, July 2, and 20-2 on Sunday, July 3 at Garland’s Rocker B Ranch complex.

Albany players on the team are Graham Ceder, Clay Chapman, Colter Edgar, and Aiden Vickers.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The number of positive COVID-19 tests is continuing to be steady over the last two weeks as the newer variant of the virus affects local residents.

A total of 14 positive results were reported by county judge Bob Skelton for the period of June 27 through July 8. The two local medical clinics administered a total of 25 tests during the period.

By Sam Waller

A mission team from First Baptist Church of Albany returned Friday, July 1 from a weeklong mission trip to Del Rio.

This year’s trip was dedicated to Dinty Bowman, who has headed up FBC mission trips for the last couple of decades. Bowman, who had already done much of the organization work for the 2022 undertaking, died unexpectedly a few weeks ago.

By Sam Waller

The Little Cubs Cheer Camp and junior high cheerleader camp are set for Monday through Wednesday, July 25-27.

Ages for the Little Cubs Cheer Camp is three years old up to incoming sixth grade students.

Sessions will be 9:30-11:30 a.m. with instruction by Albany’s varsity and junior high cheerleaders.

Each day of the camp will have a theme – Tie Dye for Monday, Rock & Roll for Tuesday, and Camo Shirt/Uniform for Wednesday. Cheer items will be for sale all three days of the camp.

By Sam Waller

The kickoff meeting for the Albany Athletic Booster Club has been scheduled for 6:00 p.m. Sunday, July 17, at the Albany Junior/Senior High fieldhouse.

Booster Club member Amanda Tabor said several items of business for the upcoming year will be covered.

“We’re going to discuss team parent signup for junior high, JV, and varsity sports for fall,” Tabor said. “We usually start gathering some spring sports moms, too.”

Tabor said the Booster Club’s Ice Cream Supper on Monday, Aug. 8 will also be on the agenda.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Lions athletic program begins the final week of its summer conditioning program Monday, July 18, while the Lady Lions return after a two-week break for two more weeks of conditioning work.

The final week of boys summer sessions will be from 7:00 a.m. to about 8:30 a.m. Monday through Thursday, July 18-21. Workouts include weight lifting, agility drills, and conditioning. Boys will also conducting one-hour skill sessions at 5:00 p.m. Monday and Wednesday.