By Sam Waller

The Moran Lady Bulldogs basketball teampicked up its first District 13-1A victory last week, beating Baird 36-18 on Tuesday, Jan. 11, before falling to Cross Plains 76-17 on Friday, Jan. 14.

Moran (6-14 overall, 1-2 district) hosted Eula on Tuesday, Jan. 18. Results will be reported next week.

Girls Results

The Lady Bulldogs will play Rising Star on Friday, Jan. 21, in a game switched to Moran to accommodate Moran’s participation in the Shackelford County livestock show. The return game on Feb. 8 will now be played at Rising Star.

Monte Lewis, age 41 of Albany passed away Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022. Funeral services were held at 1:00 p.m., Monday, Jan. 17 at Bethel Assembly with Pastor Luke Spraberry and Darrel Conway officiating. Interment followed at Elmwood Memorial Park in Abilene under the direction of Morehart Mortuary.

Terry Joe Clift, 76, of Albany passed away on Thursday, Jan. 13, 2022 in Abilene, Texas. A memorial service will be held at the Albany Cemetery Pavilion in Albany, Texas on Saturday, Jan. 22, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. with Sherman Bates officiating.

He was born on Dec. 17, 1945 in Abilene, Texas to the late W.L. and Nina Clift, the middle of 10 siblings.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The number of local ­COVID-19 cases has snowballed over the last week, with test results increasing four-fold and rising.

According to the weekly update from the county judge’s office, a total of 109 tests were administered last week with 69 positive results – the highest single week total since the start of the pandemic almost two years ago.

Albany ISD nurse Lisa Russell reported a total of 18 cases last Friday, but the number doubled to 36 as of Tuesday.

By Sam Waller

Final preparations for the Shackelford County Youth and Livestock show are underway with a workday scheduled for 8:00 a.m. Saturday at the show barn.

The 2022 show starts with weigh-in on Thursday, Jan. 20 and runs through the sale on Saturday, Jan. 22.

All exhibitors are encouraged to participate in this weekend’s workday, with cleaning supplies such as window cleaner to be provided.

By Melinda L. Lucas

As is typical, property tax payments at the Shackelford County Appraisal District accelerated just before the end of the year and have continued to come in steadily, according to chief appraiser Clayton Snyder.

Taxpayers have the option of mailing in their payment as well as coming inside. However, if anyone is concerned about COVID exposure, they can use the dropbox (left of the main door), mail, or go to to the SCAD website (shackelford cad.com) for online payments. 

By Melinda L. Lucas

At Monday’s regular monthly council meeting, city manager Billy Holson went over budget items that needed to be amended before the end of the budget year on March 31, 2022, stating that a big part of the increases on both the expense and revenue sides are due to donations in different areas, including the golf course, parks, the Aztec Theater, and the fire department.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The filing period for local elections opened Wednesday for several entities such as the school board, city council and hospital board and will continue until Friday, Feb. 18.

The election date set by the state for all local elections is Saturday, May 7.

Candidates have the 30-day filing period to sign up for a spot on one of the local boards or councils.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Following extensive discussions on several subjects at the Shackelford County commissioners’ meeting Jan. 10, action was taken only on routine agenda items while other decisions were tabled until more information is received.

Lease options or outright purchase of a new 2023 Tahoe to replace an older vehicle in the sheriff’s office fleet were discussed, with Mike  Cuba of American National Leasing explaining how the lease options would work.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Chamber of Commerce will conduct its annual business meeting on Feb. 4 with two board positions up for election at the Beehive.

“Ramby Anderson and Clayton Snyder’s terms are up, but I feel like they will be nominated again,” Chamber manager Mary Beth Jones said. “The nominating committee will get together and see who they want to nominate.”