By Sandy Morris

The Shackelford County Youth and Livestock Show is just two weeks away, with weigh-in for hogs, lambs, and goats on Thursday, Jan. 21, and classes judged on Friday and Saturday, Jan. 22-23.

According to organizers, donations are still needed in order to offset show expenses and provide prizes and premiums to the exhibitors.

“We are currently at $15,000,” said SCYLA treasurer Molly Cauble on Tuesday, Jan. 5. “All donations go toward the expenses of the stock show, such as ribbons, belt buckles, supplies, and premium money.”

By Sandy Morris

Local residents who want to run for the various city council, hospital district, or school board positions in the Saturday, May 1 election may begin filing the required paperwork on Wednesday, Jan. 13.

Filing closes a month later on Friday, Feb. 12 at 5:00 p.m. There is no filing fee.

Albany City Council

Three of the two-year city council positions expire this cycle, including the seat currently filled by Don Taggart, along with the position left vacant by the late Carolyn Waller.

By Sandy Morris

The Albany Chamber of Commerce ended a successful year of promoting the community when the winners of the Holiday House Decorating Contest were announced on Christmas Eve.

Albany Chamber of Commerce director Mary Beth Jones announced the winners live on Facebook on Thursday, Dec. 24. 

The first place award for the most “Beautiful” home went to Samantha Isbell, earning her a prize of $100 in Albany Bucks.

Second place went to Red and Shirley Alexander with a prize of $50 in Albany Bucks. 

By Sandy Morris

Pick-up dates for the January distribution of the commodity food program will be Thursday, Jan. 7 and Friday, Jan. 8.

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, Jan. 7. 

Albany families who have been certified as eligible for the November food distribution program may pick up their food on Friday, Jan. 8, from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. at the rear door of the JP office. 

The City of Albany will test the emergency warning siren at 12:00 noon next Wednesday, Jan. 13, as it does the second Wednesday of every month, depending on the weather.

The tests keep citizens familiar with the three warning sounds, and they are also used to make sure that the siren, computer, software, and radios are working correctly.

The siren should sound one of the three emergency tones at noon on that day, but the siren is not tested if the weather is questionable, according to local fire chief Kyle Tischler. 

SEVERE WEATHER

By Melinda L. Lucas

This time last year, local residents were worried about catching the flu.

In 2021, following several weeks of holiday travel and family gatherings, the expected surge of COVID-19 cases is hitting Shackelford County, and local residents are beginning to look for options as the vaccine becomes available in other areas.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Several new Shackelford County elected officials took the oath of office for the first time during a brief ceremony in the second floor courtroom of the Shackelford County Courthouse on New Year’s Day, Jan. 1.

Newly elected county attorney Rollin Rauschl and constable Xavier Perez were among those who started new four-year terms that day.

The oaths were administered by county judge Robert Skelton, who had just returned to work after being quarantined over Christmas.

By Sandy Morris

It was a photo finish, but the Albany Community Chest campaign surged ahead and met the campaign goal a little after 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 31. 

Right before Christmas, donations jumped, which allowed the organization to go over the 50 percent mark, but Chest directors were still concerned about how many contributions were still needed to meet the 2020 fundraising goal of $41,000. 

John Louis Kazda, age 78 of Albany, passed away Sunday morning, Jan. 3, 2021 at home with his family by his side. Services were held Friday, Jan. 8 at Jesus of Nazareth Catholic Church in Albany with burial following at Kirk Ledbetter Cemetery in Throckmorton County. 

John was born Jan. 27, 1942 in Waco, Texas, the son of Louis and Mary Pavlas Kazda. He was a 1960 graduate of Abbott High School and a 1964 graduate of Texas A&M University where he received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Agricultural Education.

Elgin Ray (Punk) Jones, age 93, passed away on Saturday, Jan. 2, 2021 at his home in Mentone, TX. He was born Sept. 25, 1927 in Coleman County to William Lafayette and Oddie Martha (Snedegar) Jones. Elgin married Mary Belle Steddum on June 7, 1950 in the Ibex Community and they shared 70 years together.