By Melinda L. Lucas

Shackelford County residents, as did the rest of the state, had plenty of warning before last week’s winter storm moved through the area, and for the most part, there were fewer problems than during last year’s “deep freeze” that occurred at almost exactly the same time of the year.

Sleet and then snow coated streets and highways on Wednesday evening, as expected, with freezing conditions continuing through Thursday and Friday before warming up on Saturday.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Resound Networks, the company that was awarded a substantial bid to provide expanded and improved internet services in Shackelford County, has begun offering plans to both residential and commercial customers.

The company, headquartered in Pampa, Texas has completed at least initial steps to provide internet services in an eight-mile radius of Albany.

No information was available from the company on when services might be expanded to more rural areas of the county.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The number of positive COVID-19 cases administered locally continued to drop last week as the spike earlier in the month seems to be subsiding.

The number of positive test results dropped to 22 positive cases based on tests administered at the three local testing sites. However, the testing period was limited to only three days with the testing sites closed on Thursday and Friday due to the weather.

A total of 45 tests were given for the week of Jan. 24-28, according to the weekly report issued by county judge Bob Skelton.

Dear Editor:

It is high time for Albany folks to brag publicly on the fine staff at our Shackelford County Clinic. They have been working their tails off during the past several weeks of this COVID siege.

We are so lucky to have them: Travis, Claire, Shana and the other nurses and support staff. Every one of them serves with superior competence and unfailing courtesy in their ongoing efforts to keep our town healthy. Where would we be without them??

So please join us in a big thank you and a salute to our wonderful clinic staff.

Sincerely,

By Donnie A. Lucas

With just over a week remaining in the filing period for several local May 7 elections, only a few candidates have signed up for a term on one of the six boards or councils subject to election.

Board member posts and council positions are subject to election by the public for both Albany and Moran school boards and city councils, along with the Shackelford County Hospital District and the Fort Griffin SUD.

Candidates have until Friday, Feb. 18 to have their names placed on the ballots for any of the local elections.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Chamber of Commerce will host its annual meeting Friday, Feb. 11, after postponing the event because of last week’s winter storm.

Chamber manager Mary Beth Jones said the Chamber faced a busy week because of weather delays. A board meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 8 got the week started.

Friday’s meeting is scheduled for noon at the Beehive Restaurant with two board positions to be elected. Jones said places currently held by Clayton Snyder and Ramby Anderson will be up for vote.

By Sam Waller

Six acts will take the stage for 10 hours of entertainment this August at the fourth annual CareFest.

The festival is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 27, at Happy Wife Happy Life Weddings and Events Venue.

This year’s acts include Read Southall Band, Giovannie and the Hired Guns, and special guest Kevin Fowler. Up-and-coming artists on the bill include Slade Coulter and Jacob Stelly. Albany’s Braden Davis will open.

Tickets for CareFest go on sale April 3 at www.outhousetickets.com.

By Sam Waller

Albany High School seniors have one remaining Project Graduation workday to prepare Valentine’s gifts sold in January.

Seniors and their parents will meet at The Feed Store on Sunday, Feb. 13,to finalize gifts for delivery.

Seniors will meet at 7:00 a.m. Monday, Feb. 14, at The Feed Store to pack up gifts, with delivery to begin about 8:00 a.m., according to Project Graduation organizer Kenzie Fair­child. Seniors signed up to participate in delivering gifts will have an excused absence for the periods they miss, Fairchild said.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Rehearsals for Albany high’s one-act play started this week in preparation for the district contest set for March 9.

Tryouts were held last week by Chanel Hayner, who is serving as the director after transferring as a teacher at the secondary campus. She also was in charge of the high school OAP five years ago while still teaching at Nancy Smith Elementary.

Hayner selected the play “Tracks” by Peter Tarsi for this year, a drama about a group of passengers who meet on a subway ride and are given reason to review their lives.

By Sam Waller

Seven Albany FFA members placed with their animals over the last two weeks at the Southwest Exposition and Livestock Show in Fort Worth.

Hattie Braly made the steer sale after placing seventh in Class 2 Lightweight European Cross with her calf Maverick.

Kenzie Neve placed 13th in Class 3 Heavyweight Exotics, while Kam Browning exhibited an Angus steer in the cattle show held Jan. 31-Feb. 4.