By Melinda L. Lucas
Less than 200 local voters turned out for this week’s Constitutional Amendment Election, about 8.6 percent of those registered in Shackelford County. About 80 of those voted early or by mail, with the Shackelford County Courthouse the only polling site in the county.
Local voters followed state trend, passing all eight propositions, some by wider margins than others.
By Sam Waller
The downtown area and a large section of Albany was left without power for several hours early on Oct. 27 because of a thunderstorm that downed a tree.
“All of downtown from the courthouse and the southwest part of town was out from about midnight until about 5:00 a.m.,” Albany police chief Mike House said.
Some blocks were off several more hours.
House said most of the damage was caused by a tree being blown over and falling on power lines.
By Melinda L. Lucas
Several blocks within the Albany city limits will be “moved” to a different voting precinct if changes made by commissioners last week are approved as part of the state’s redistricting requirements.
A public hearing has been set for Friday, Nov. 12 at 9:00 a.m. in the second floor courtroom to hear comments about the redistricting proposal, which only affects Albany citizens.
By Donnie A. Lucas
A grass fire that originated on the Matthews’ Lambshead Ranch quickly raced out of control due to winds in excess of 40 to 50 mph last Thursday, eventually consuming over 18,600 acres on four ranches in southern Throckmorton County and northern Shackelford County.
The Throckmorton Rural Fire Department originally took the lead, but handed coordinating efforts to battle the blaze over to the Shackelford County Rural VFD, according to Shackelford County Rural VFD chief Brad Henry.
By Melinda L. Lucas
Families are invited to celebrate the Indian Festival of Lights at the Old Jail Art Center’s free family festival this Saturday, Nov. 6, from 12:00 noon to 3:00 p.m.
This is the Old Jail’s first indoor family festival since COVID restrictions first affected museum activities well over a year ago.
“We are excited about the family festival and having families back inside the museum,” said Susan Montgomery, Development and Membership Coordinator for the OJAC.
By Donnie A. Lucas
All veterans in Shackelford County are invited to join local students for a Veterans Day celebration on Thursday, Nov. 11 at the high school gym.
The event will start at 11:00 a.m. with several special patriotic musical presentations, according to organizer Ann Riley.
“I sent over 90 invitations to veterans or spouses of deceased veterans,” Riley said. “I think they have a really good program planned, and we hope that the community will join us to thank our veterans.”
By Melinda L. Lucas
Pick-up dates for the November distribution of the commodity food program will be Thursday, Nov. 4 and Friday, Nov. 5.
Certified families in Moran should pick up their monthly commodity food at the Moran City Hall between 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. on Nov. 4.
Albany families who have been certified as eligible for the November food distribution program may pick up their food the following day from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the rear door of the JP office.
By Sam Waller
Students at Albany Junior/Senior High School and Nancy Smith Elementary School concluded Red Ribbon Week with the announcement of contest winners from both campuses.
The campaign educates students and the general public about drug and alcohol abuse.
At the Junior/Senior High campus, second-period classes decorated doors, with the classes of Rod Britting and Chanel Hayner tying for first place. Jamie Wilson’s class finished second, and Melanie Turner’s class took third.
By Donnie A. Lucas
About 100 runners clad in black attire scattered across Albany last Saturday for the 24th annual “Running Man” sponsored by the Feed Store.
The junior class won the event, with all 13 of their runners returning to home base at The Feed store without being caught by spotlighters.
By Sam Waller
Students from Albany and Cross Plains spent last month collecting food in a friendly competition between the school districts with results to be announced during Friday’s football game between the two high schools.
“We did a battle of the schools,” said Resource Care programs assistant Ragan Riley, who organized the drive. “Each school collected canned goods starting Oct. 1 and ending Nov. 1. They had a month to collect as much food as they could.”
Riley said the collected food will be contributed to each community’s local food bank.
