By Melinda L. Lucas

Shackelford County still lacks more than 25 percent of the targeted response number of 306 surveys in an effort to expand access of high speed internet in this area.

Community leaders in Shackelford and Throckmorton counties began the “broadband initiative” in mid-March, with a special online survey open through the end of May.

“Response has slowed down, and we haven’t reached our goal yet,” said county judge Robert Skelton, who is serving on the local committee. 

By Melinda L. Lucas

Hendrick Regional Blood Center will park its bloodmobile at First Baptist Church at the usual time from 1:00 until 6:00 p.m. Thursday, April 15.

The blood center depends on volunteer blood donors to supply 100 percent of the blood that is used for patient care at 17 area hospitals. 

Those who have eligibility questions can call Freddie Sosa at 325-670-2880. Other concerns or questions can be directed to Kelsey Caprio at 325-670-4271. 

By Melinda L. Lucas

An in-depth report and some requests from new Albany fire chief Travis Gardenhire, along with a description of deterioration at the Albany Visitors Center and approval for a Chamber-sponsored cookoff at the city park later in the year were the main subjects at Monday night’s city council meeting.

The elected officials also authorized AMKO Advisors to be able to solicit bids from underwriting firms as one of the first steps toward refinancing the bonds for the water plant.

By Sandy Morris

The second week in April is traditionally designated as national Public Safety Telecommunicators Week and this week, April    11-17, local dispatchers were recognized for the work they do behind the scenes of public safety.

Many people don’t realize the training and discipline necessary to become a public safety dispatcher, according to Shackelford County sheriff Ed Miller.

A new dispatcher is required to take the basic telecommunicator licensing course within the first year of being hired.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Typically, local business owners would have to come up with more money if they hadn’t filed renditions by today, according to Shackelford CAD County chief appraiser Clayton Snyder.

“Under normal circumstances, taxpayers would be required to file their personal property renditions by Thursday, April 15, 2021,” said Snyder. “However, I’ve decided to extend the deadline to May 15, 2021 due to the natural disaster declaration for the Texas winter storm.” 

 By Sandy Morris

Early voting for the May 1 local election will begin next Monday, April 19 and run through Tuesday, April 27.

The hospital board has the only locally contested race in Shackelford County, 

Four candidates have filed for the three available at-large seats on the Shackelford County Hospital District’s board of directors. 

The ballot will list incumbents Mike Folsom, Jo Ann Estridge, and Leslie Belcher, along with challenger Mary Boland. 

Directors on the hospital board serve two-year terms. 

By Sandy Morris

After missing the opportunity last year due to COVID, the Parent Teacher Organization at Nancy Smith Elementary School will hold the traditional Scholastic Book Fair virtually this year.

The book fair will run from Monday, April 19 through Sunday, May 2.

NSES PTO members will send home flyers and post announcements on-line prior to the sale explaining how to order.

The book fair offers specially priced books and educational products, including new releases, award winning titles, children’s classics, and current best sellers.

By Sandy Morris

Fourteen Albany High School students, many of them in multiple events,  will compete in a total of 13 different contests at the Region 2-2A University Interscholastic League academic meet at Grayson College in Denison on Friday and Saturday,  April 16-17. 

“We have several students competing in more than one contest,” said UIL coordinator Rick Davis. “Tana Thompson qualified in five different writing events, and Luke Ivy is in four events.”

By Sandy Morris

In one week the ResourceCare Community Health Center will hold a Murder Mystery Dinner fundraising event at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 22.

The Albany Mainstreet Playhouse Traveling Troupe will perform a “Roaring 20s Murder Mystery Dinner” at the Albany Youth Center, which is being transformed this week into the “Gatsby Speakeasy,” an undercover tavern.

ResourceCare programs assistant Ragan Riley said all attendees are encouraged to wear “Roaring 20s” attire to get into the spirit of the evening.

By Sandy Morris

Representatives of local organizations and boards that award scholarships to Albany High School graduates are asked to collect applications from Ann Riley at the AHS office on Friday, April 16.

Riley said seniors were required to turn in their application letters by Wednesday, April 14.

The packets of letters will be organized and ready for representatives of the organizations to pick up by 12:00 noon on Friday, and then the organizations should notify the school concerning their selections by Monday, May 3.