By Donnie A. Lucas

The varsity Lady Lions are off to a slow start in the second half of the district race with an 0-2 record after losses to Hawley and Haskell.

However, the varsity girls picked up a win on Tuesday night in Hamlin, beating the Lady Pipers 49-37. Details will be reported next week.

Albany will host Cisco on Friday, Jan. 29, with the varsity girls taking the court in the main gym at 6:00 p.m.

Next Tuesday, the girls will be in Cisco, with the varsity tipping off at 6:00 p.m. in the main gym. 

By Sandy Morris

Project Graduation organizers have one week left before wrapping up their first fundraiser to prepare for the annual celebration following graduation. 

Order forms for Valentine’s Day Oreo Truffles have been distributed to both school campuses.

“The deadline for orders for the truffles is Monday, Feb. 1,” said class parent Tisha Wilkins. “The seniors will help prepare them, and the truffles will be delivered to the high school and to Nancy Smith Elementary School on Valentine’s Day.”

By Melinda L. Lucas

Taxes assessed during 2020 are officially due next week, on Monday, Feb. 1. With the due date falling during the weekend, Monday payments made in person will be accepted, as well as those placed in the drop box that day, according to chief appraiser Clayton Snyder at the Shackelford County Central Appraisal District (CAD) office. 

The front door of the appraisal district office at 132 Hill St remains locked because of COVID concerns, but taxpayers can call ahead if they need to pay in person or talk to SCAD personnel.

By Sandy Morris

The last time Albany hosted the Hereford Ball was in February of 1921, but the Albany Chamber has plans to bring back the celebration 100 years later.

Albany Chamber of Commerce director Mary Beth Jones said the ball is a dress-up celebration of Shackelford County’s ranches and history.

Plans are in place for the Hereford Ball set for Saturday, Feb. 27 at the Whitney Theater. 

“All advertising tables are sold for the Hereford Ball,” said Jones. “Invitations to Chamber members went out and tickets were quickly purchased. 

By Sandy Morris

The Albany Chamber of Commerce will hold its regular weekly Chamber luncheon on Friday, Jan. 29 at the Beehive.

Chamber luncheons are held each Friday from 12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m. and are open to anyone who would like to get involved and help with the various Chamber projects throughout the year.

Albany Chamber of Commerce director Mary Beth Jones said all February meetings also will be held at the Beehive. 

For more information on any current or future Chamber events, contact Jones at the Chamber office at 325-762-2525. 

By Sandy Morris

Employees at the local Dollar General had a scare on Tuesday, Jan. 26 around 10:15 a.m. when a pickup truck rolled onto the sidewalk in front of the store. 

Dollar General assistant manager Trisha Reyes said all of the employees were pretty shaken up but there were no injuries.

“I had a girl working the register when the truck struck the front of the building,” Reyes said. “The cigarette case was behind her, which shielded her from the shattered glass when the front window was broken.”

By Sandy Morris

There are only a little over two weeks left in the  filing period for local board elections, and as of press time on Tuesday, a total of eight candidates had turned in their paperwork for various positions that will be decided on May 1.

Albany City Council

All incumbents currently serving on the Albany City Council have filed for re-election including Mayor Susan Montgomery and council members Don Taggart, Austin Sherwood, and Lynsi Musselman.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Even though Shackelford County commissioners spent a portion of their Monday session discussing prescribed burn criteria that would go into effect when a burn ban is in place, the item was tabled until wording can be finalized.   

Several local ranchers and land managers presented the proposal at a Jan. 19 meeting, asking that there be exceptions for prescribed burn plans even when a burn ban is in effect.

By Sandy Morris

Pick-up dates for the February distribution of the commodity food program will be Thursday, Feb. 4 and Friday, Feb. 5.

Certified eligible families in Moran should pick up their monthly commodity food at the Moran City Hall between 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 4. 

Albany families can pick up on Friday, Jan. 8, from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. at the rear door of the JP office. 

Families are reminded to complete a 2021 application when they come to pick up their food.

By Sandy Morris

The 2021 Shackelford County Youth and Livestock Association county livestock show and sale was held at the county show barn last weekend, Jan. 22-23, and according to association president Bronco Askew, the show overall went very well.

“We had a great show,” said Askew. “We don’t have complete totals yet, but I feel this year was better than average.”

Askew felt that the show organizers also did a good job of addressing any COVID concerns.