FCA awards presented to area coaches

By Lynsi Musselman

Fellowship of Christian Athletes recognizes coaches and players each year who exemplify the core values and Christian principles of the sports ministry.

 This year, Albany High School retired principal and golf coach Tommy Terrell received the first ever Tommy Terrell FCA Character Award.

Terrell is also well known at the Albany Golf Club for his work at the Albany course since he retired from education.

Donations needed for Day Camp

By Lynsi Musselman

ResourceCare Summer Day Camp is full for the July 6-24 camp dates, and ResourceCare program assistant Ragan Riley said  that late applications or registrations cannot be accepted.

“We had an even bigger turnout than in years past,” Riley said.

Registrations for 165 campers, as well as for 41 high school and 21 junior high volunteer applications, were received at last week’s three-day sign-up.

Day Camp is still in need of contributions.

Albany News

Wheat harvest gets underway

By Lynsi Musselman

Combines in Shackelford County are getting ready for, and in some cases already working on, the area wheat harvest – with drier conditions than in the previous three years. 

Shackelford County extension agent Kloey Cargill said she has been out to visit a few farmers, and most are ready to either harvest or graze.

“We could actually use a little rain this year, but invasive insects have been the primary cause of destruction to crops,” Cargill said.

Chamber lunches to start Friday

By Lynsi Musselman

Albany Chamber of Commerce will resume weekly Chamber members lunches tomorrow at the Beehive Restaurant.

Local Stores

Chamber manager Mary Beth Jones said Albany retail stores also have resumed normal business hours, and a new store, Rustic Charm, has started to get shelving and furniture in place to open soon. 

She reminds residents to “shop local.”

Other Activities

Albany News

Council decides swimming pool will open June 15

By Melinda L. Lucas

Albany city council members announced news at Monday night’s meeting that many have been anxiously awaiting – the pool at Webb Park will open on June 15.

Although capacity is limited to 50 percent until further notice, city officials do not expect that to be a real problem, at least not until the ResourceCare Day Camp gets underway July 6.

City manager Billy Holson said that full pool capacity is 245, so at 50 percent, 122 swimmers and accompanying adults will be allowed inside the gates.

Fast-Moving Flames

By Melinda L. Lucas

Two vacant houses on the southern outskirts of Albany were completely destroyed Tuesday afternoon in a fire that was believed to have started from electric lines sparking in a tree branch broken off by high winds.

The same winds, which were already raising dust in West Texas skies that day, pushed the fire south to Hwy. 601 (Ibex highway) and east to the Albany airport, singeing more than 250 acres, including some in the new Clarke Estates subdivision.

3 new county COVID-19 tests given

By Donnie A. Lucas

After almost a month without any new COVID-19 testing, Shackelford County has recorded three new tests during the last week, according to county judge Robert Skelton.

Two of the recent tests have already come back as negative, while the result for the third is still pending.

Texas governor Greg Abbott enacted the third phase of the plan for the state to safely open the economy while containing the spread of COVID-19.

As of last Wednesday, all Texas businesses were allowed to open with at least 50 percent capacity. 

Albany News

Flags to fly this Sunday

By Lynsi Musselman

Due to COVID-19 and other health concerns, the Albany Lions Club fundraiser “Flags Across Albany” is on hold for Flag Day and the upcoming patriotic holidays.

However, volunteers with the Chamber of Commerce are stepping up in the interim and providing American flags in the downtown area.

“Flags Across Albany” is  a project the Lions Club organized several years ago to honor American heritage and military heroes who served this country, as well as to help raise funds for the organization.

Albany News

Commissioners okay audit, grant application

By Donnie A. Lucas

The Shackelford County commissioners approved the annual audit Monday and agreed to apply for federal funds available through the CARES Act to assist with added costs at polling places for upcoming elections due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The audit for the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2019 was presented by Meredith Churchill of Fullerton and Associates, a CPA firm in Abilene.

Albany News

News to close every Friday

By Melinda L. Lucas

Albany News customers are reminded that starting this Friday, June 12, the newspaper office will be closed on Fridays.

The Friday closure was decided in light of less in-person customer patronage in recent years, as well as an effort to cut costs in view of the economic impact of the coronavirus impact.

Hours at the News office will be Monday through Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., starting Friday, June 12.

Albany News
Subscribe to Albany Texas