By Melinda L. Lucas

With just a little over a week left before the official deadline, a large percentage of the county-wide tax levies will be collected in the next few days.

Taxes assessed during 2020 are officially due next week, on Monday, Feb. 1. With the Jan. 31 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 Appraisal District (SCAD) office. 

By Sandy Morris

Even though it looked as if the Albany Community Chest would fall short of its 2020 goal, donations poured in at the end of the year, surpassing the goal of $41,000 and closing out at $52,550.

Albany Chest board members met Wednesday, Jan. 13 and decided to proceed with the board’s original recommendations allocating $42,250 plus an extra $350 to each organization across the board for a total distribution amount of $51,000.

The Albany Chest still has a total of $2,657.59 in emergency funds remaining in reserves.

By Sandy Morris

Shackelford County residents who have noticed missing items or property around their homes or businesses may be able to reclaim their items.

The Albany Police Department was dispatched on Thursday, Jan. 14 to the 700 block of North 9th Street in Albany in reference to theft.

Albany PD officers took a theft of property report from the owner and then began to search for the vehicle identified by the reporting party as possibly being involved in the crime. 

By Melinda L. Lucas

Shackelford County taxpayers will save more than $800,000 over the next 11 years after county commissioners finalized new bonds for the Law Enforcement Center during Tuesday’s regular meeting.

Vince Viaille, managing director for Specialized Public Finance, reviewed the bidding process, stating that BNY Mellon Capital Markets submitted the winning bid at a true interest cost of 0.89 percent, resulting in a savings of $842,569 as a result of the refinancing.

By Sandy Morris

The filing period for local board elections is now underway and as of press time on Tuesday, a total of six candidates had turned in their paperwork for various positions that will be decided on May 1.

There is not a fee to run for the local offices, but prospective candidates must file by 5:00 p.m. on Feb. 12 to have their names listed on the ballot.

Albany City Council

By Sandy Morris

After months of preparation, the annual Shackelford County Livestock Show will take place starting Thursday, Jan. 21 and ending Saturday afternoon, Jan. 23 after the premium sale.

Albany and Moran FFA and 4-H exhibitors are expected to show close to 250 entries at the Shackelford County Youth Livestock Show barn this week.

Weigh-In

The livestock show will start on Thursday, Jan. 21 with weigh-in for hogs, lambs, and goats followed by weigh-in for poultry, rabbits, and cattle on Friday, Jan. 22. 

 Eligio “Lee” Rodriguez Garcia, age 78 of Albany, passed away Sunday, Jan. 17, 2021. A private family-only funeral mass will be held at 9:30 a.m., Friday, Jan. 22 at Jesus of Nazareth Catholic Church with Father Prakash Dias officiating. Interment will follow at 10:45 a.m. at Albany Cemetery under the direction of Morehart Mortuary. 

Nadine Boland, age 80 of Albany, passed away Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2021. Graveside funeral services were held Saturday, Jan. 16 at the Albany Cemetery with Kyle Viertel officiating. Interment followed under the direction of Morehart Mortuary. 

Merle Nadine Adams was born Nov. 9, 1940 in Granger, Wyoming to Roy and Idonna Hereford Adams. She married Billy Boland in Kemmerer, Wyoming on May 9, 1963. 

Thomas Dale Steddum, age 86, passed away on Saturday, Jan. 16, 2021 in Odessa, TX. He was born in Haskell County, TX on Feb. 18, 1934 to Ocie Lee and Sammye (Cox) Steddum.  He married Geraline Bothe in 1976 Odessa, TX and they shared 34 years together until she passed in 2011.

Leona Martyn, age 97 of Albany, passed away Sunday, Jan. 17, 2021. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, Jan. 22 at First United Methodist Church of Albany with Rev. Tim Trimble officiating.  Interment will follow in the Albany Cemetery under the direction of Morehart Mortuary. 

Leona Riley was born Aug. 23, 1923 in Woodson, Texas to Dewey Riley and Villa Stubblefield Riley. On Aug. 7, 1945, she married R.E. “Bob” Martyn in Abilene, Texas.