By Donnie A. Lucas

Shackelford County veterans and families are invited to attend a Veterans Day celebration at the high school gym on Thursday (today) beginning at 11:00 a.m.

Several musical presentations are planned by various school groups including the third grade music classes, the Albany Fiddlers, and the high school band.

Almost 100 invitations were sent out to veterans and families inviting them to attend the ceremony that will recognize each veteran or spouse of a deceased veteran that is present.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The filing period for March 2022 primary elections officially opened on Saturday, Nov. 13, although the Shackelford County Courthouse will not be open until Monday, Nov. 15 for candidates to obtain the required paperwork.

Several county-wide offices and two precinct commissioners are up for election in 2022, with the deadline for candidates to file set on Monday, Dec. 13. Posts to be elected include county judge, county and district clerk, county treasurer, justice of the peace (county-wide position), and commissioners for Precincts 2 and 4.

By Melinda L. Lucas

An early deadline has been set for the Nov. 25 edition of The Albany News due to the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday and print schedule.

All advertising, including classified ads, and news copy must be received no later than noon on Monday, Nov. 22. 

The usual deadline for the weekly paper is Tuesday at 12:00 noon. It is being moved up a day in order to accommodate the printer’s schedule and also adjust the mailing schedule.

By Donnie A. Lucas

While the number of positive COVID-19 cases reported for last week remains lower than most  double-digit reports since August, there was a slight rise in positive results over the previous week.

A combined report from the three testing locations in Albany listed eight positive tests out of 26 tests conducted. Only five positive cases were listed the prior week.

The Shackelford County Health Clinic reported eight tests with four positives conducted on Monday of this week.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Shackelford County commissioners and elected officials met Monday, Nov. 8 to authorize the next step in purchasing new voting machines and also approved the repair of a damaged fire alarm panel at the Courthouse.

They plan to meet again this Friday, Nov. 12 to hear public comment concerning the proposed redistricting of the four county precincts.

The hearing is set for 9:00 a.m. Friday in the second floor courtroom.

The process is required by the state in order to equalize the populations within the four precincts.

By Sam Waller

Plans are gearing up to collect applications and funding for a number of local holiday programs, ranging from those providing for children through senior adults.

ResourceCare works hand in hand with Toys for Tots, asking community members to help them provide holiday presents to all of the local children.

The facility also coordinates the Adopt A Senior project, which is already well underway.

Information and applications are available at ResourceCare and other locations.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Albany city manager Billy Holson went through the city’s capital improvments budget, with the mid-term point in the fiscal year having passed recently.

The council  approved a five-year capital improvements plan along with the regular budget in March, which Holson explained would be adjusted continually as the city moves forward.

The plan includes future expenditures for the water plant, distribution system, wastewater department, streets, and other infrastructure.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The Albany Junior High drama class will be presenting the comedy “The Trial of Goldilocks” by Joseph Robinette for the public on Tuesday, Nov. 16 starting at 6:00 p.m. at the auditorium.

The play will also be presented as the Junior High One-Act Play contest in Stamford on Nov. 18.

The play includes 16 cast members, two technical crew members, and two stagehands.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Junior high and high school students and even members of the community can vote with donations for their “favorite” teachers or staff member, with the winner becoming a turkey for a day.

The recently revived FCCLA Chapter is raising funds to purchase Christmas gifts for local needy children and the elderly with the first-ever project entitled “Turkey Teacher.”

By Sam Waller

Fifth grade students from Nancy Smith Elementary School will have a chance to study a wide range of sciences as part of the Camp Grady Spruce Outdoor Education Program.

Students will spend three days and two nights at the camp on Possum Kingdom Lake learning about sciences ranging from geology to biology to astrology.

“Fifth grade science covers all of those subjects,” said Leslie Neve, NSES fifth and sixth grade science teacher. “This camp is all based on the science TEKS that are covered in the STAAR test.”