By Lynsi Musselman

The Old Jail Art Center has been closed this week and will reopen again on Saturday, Aug. 29.

OJAC executive director Patrick Kelly said the closure makes it easier for the staff to take down spring and summer exhibits and get ready to install new ones for viewing starting on Sept. 12.

Pieces in a collection by by Jo Ann Fleischhauer, as well as those from “The Ruby Portfolio,” celebrating the museum’s 40th anniversary, have been displayed since February.

By Melinda L. Lucas

A special meeting to adopt the 2020-2021 budget and tax rate for the Albany Independent School District is set for 7:30 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 31, the last day that the budget can be adopted, according to state law.

Albany ISD board members looked over the 2020-2021 budget during their most recent regular meeting on Aug. 17.

Expenditures for the upcoming school year are projected to be $6,390,959, compared to the actual expenses so far of just under $5.7 million.

Revenue for the year is expected to be $5,985,756.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Shackelford County commissioners and other elected officials met Monday, Aug. 24 to go through several routine agenda items, including the approval of a long list of minutes from previous sessions. 

At the end of the meeting, the court continued to work on the budget for the news fiscal year that starts Sept. 1. There was no action, as they intend to make some more adjustments at a special meeting on Monday, Aug. 31 before proposing the budget and tax rate.

Other Business

By Lynsi Musselman

The Albany Chamber of Commerce annual garage sale is just over two weeks away, on Saturday, Sept. 12.

Registration to get on the garage sale map began Aug. 24 and continues until Sept. 1 for residents who would like to participate.

Chamber manager Mary Beth Jones said the registration fee to be included on the map and receive a paper sign is $10 this year.

“Once registration has been paid in full, a sign will be printed with the name and address of the participant,” Jones explained.

By Lynsi Musselman

With a full week of school in the rear view mirror, hundreds of local children have been shuffled to and from campus by bus, car, bicycle, and on foot.

Texas Department of Public Safety and Albany Independent School District remind drivers to be extra cautious as school zones become more active, and to be aware of school bus safety.

COVID-19 Safety

According to AISD, transportation will be provided during the fall semester as conditions are evaluated and ridership numbers evaluated.

By Lynsi Musselman

The Feed Store served the first junior and senior Tuesday lunch of the new school year this Tuesday, Aug. 25.

Feed Store executive director Tisha Wilkins said 45 students were served this week.

“We had a decent turnout, but I think more will come next week,” Wilkins said.

The Tuesday lunches are served in rotation by local churches in the community. 

Board members and staff of the Feed Store will serve all of the September lunches before Matthews Memorial Presbyterian Church takes over for October.

By Lynsi Musselman

Two local churches are planning to mark the new school year with kick-off events for their children’s ministries.

Friendship 

Baptist Church

Friendship Baptist Church will host a back-to-school coke float party on Wednesday, Sept. 9 from 6:00 to 6:30 p.m.

During this time, local parents can bring their children to register for Friendship Tribe and enjoy a coke float treat.

Classes will begin Wednesday, Sept. 16 for four-year-olds through sixth graders.

By Lynsi Musselman

The era of COVID-19 has brought schools, students, and parents many challenges, but it has also cleared the path for new ways of learning that are a solution for some.

Albany Independent School District currently has 16 students participating in the remote learning option the first six weeks of school.

AISD director of student services Leigh Lowe reported 14 of those students were at Nancy Smith Elementary School and two students were at the secondary campus.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The Lion varsity football squad made a good first showing last Thursday during a scrimmage against the Bearcats in Hawley.

The Lions scored three times to one during the controlled portion of the scrimmage, and they outscored the Bearcats 21-6 in the live quarter.

Albany will open the regular season on Friday at Robert Nail Stadium against the visiting Colorado City Wolves. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The Lady Lion volleyball team suffered their first loss of the season last week against Jim Ned but got right back in the win column on Saturday in Eastland.

Albany opened District 6-2A action on Tuesday in Ranger, picking up a 25-17, 25-21, 25-15 win on the road, improving to 5-1 for the season. Details will be reported next week.

Albany scheduled an extra non-district game on Friday against Colorado City starting at 4:00 p.m. with the varsity. The JV I game will follow at 5:30 p.m.