By Melinda L. Lucas
If this week’s winter storm weather lets up in time, the staff at the Old Jail Art Center will welcome families into the Stasney Center on Saturday, Feb. 5 for a three-hour celebration of the Lunar New Year.
Starting at 12:00 noon, weather permitting, participants can enjoy traditional food, art, and games observing the Year of the Tiger, according to OJAC education director Erin Whitmore.
By Donnie A. Lucas
With the number of new cases dropping to less than half of those recorded the prior week, the peak of the latest COVID-19 surge appears to be in the past.
The number of positive test results decreased significantly during the week of Jan. 24-28 to 29 positive cases based on tests administered at the three local testing sites.
A total of 57 tests were given for the week of Jan. 24-28, according to the weekly report issued by county judge Bob Skelton.
By Melinda L. Lucas
Normally held the first Friday in February, the annual meeting of the Albany Chamber of Commerce membership is being postponed until the following Friday, Feb. 11.
Chamber manager Mary Beth Jones announced late Tuesday afternoon that concerns about the winter storm and safe travel had prompted officers to make the decision to delay the board election by one week.
Instead of this Friday, the meeting will start after the noon luncheon on Friday, Feb. 11 at the Beehive Restaurant to elect two board members.
By Melinda L. Lucas
Regular pick-up dates for the February distribution of the commodity food program were Thursday, Feb. 3 and Friday, Feb. 4.
However, in anticipation of bad weather, Moran families received their food a day early on Wednesday.
Shackelford County Justice of the Peace James Breeden, who coordinates the program, said Tuesday that the weather is still bad on Friday and his office is closed, Albany families can pick up on Monday, Feb. 7 instead, from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. at the JP office.
The City of Albany will test the emergency warning siren at 12:00 noon next Wednesday, Feb. 9, as it does the second Wednesday of every month, depending on the weather.
The tests keep citizens familiar with the three warning sounds, and they are also used to make sure that the siren, computer, software, and radios are working correctly.
By Donnie A. Lucas
With about two weeks remaining in the filing period for local May 7 elections, a few incumbents have signed up for another term but no challengers have signed up yet.
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.
Albany School Board
By Donnie A. Lucas
With about two weeks remaining in the filing period for local May 7 elections, a few incumbents have signed up for another term but no challengers have signed up yet.
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.
Albany School Board
By Sam Waller
The Albany Chamber of Commerce is gearing up for a busy stretch, starting with its annual meeting rescheduled for next week on Friday, Feb. 11.
Also on the Chamber schedule are the Albany Stars event and the annual Membership Appreciation Crawfish Boil, as well as plans for an upcoming event in 2023.
Albany Stars
The Chamber’s Albany Stars event has been scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 3 at the Aztec Theater.
By Donnie A. Lucas
The seventh annual Region 7 American Field Trial Club’s Amateur All Age Championship was held Jan. 28-29 at the Crooked Tree Ranch outside of Albany.
Following the championship, the M.G. Perkins All Age Derby Classic followed with nine dogs entered.
The event serves as a qualifying trial for the AFTCA National Amateur Invitational Championship, drawing trainers, owners, and dogs from across the state and beyond.
By Melinda L. Lucas
TxDOT bridge engineer Tracy Jones helped Shackelford County commissioners get closer to resolving the repair of the Caldwell Lane Bridge on CR 179 when he met with them in a special session that included a “field trip” last Wednesday, Jan. 26.
Two different contractors have been hired over the last two years to get the bridge open to traffic again, but neither completed the contract.
Jones reviewed two options, one using concrete and the other utilizing rocks in gabions (wire baskets) to stabilize the structure.
