By Donnie A. LucasThirty-two Albany High School seniors are slated to walk across the stage in the AHS main gym Friday night, May 26 to receive their diplomas, marking the end of their high school careers.

By Donnie A. LucasNotices of appraised value are being mailed this week for the 2023 tax year, with overall property values continuing to rise but not as steeply as last year.

By Melinda L. LucasA county resident was appointed to the board of directors of the Shackelford County Hospital District at a brief specially scheduled May meeting on Wednesday, May 17.

By Sam WallerThe Albany Chamber of Commerce is organizing its annual community-wide cleanup day for Saturday, June 10.The effort is aimed at beautifying Albany for the influx of visitors expected to attend performances of the Fort Griffin Fandangle later in the month.

By Melinda L. LucasShackelford County elected officials worked through a fairly routine agenda at their regular meeting on Monday morning, May 22, with discussions ranging from a disconnected HVAC control system to planting something in the Courthouse Square flowerbeds.

By Sam WallerA team of four Albany residents will attempt to make a round trip from Buffalo Gap to Abilene in a specific time frame, accomplishing more than a dozen challenges along the way.

By Sam WallerStudents and staff from Nancy Smith Elementary School were able to dodge the elements long enough to get in their annual track meet and field day as the school year draws to a close.The events were both held Tuesday, May 23, at the high school track.

By Donnie A. LucasAlbany band students ended the school year last Thursday with a concert showcasing each band both separately and combined.The Sixth Grade Band performed first at the high school auditorium, followed by the Fifth Grade band.

By Melinda L. LucasTwo Albany High School students competed last week in the UIL Academic Meet at the University of Texas in Austin.Junior Sidney Russell and sophomore Avery Everitt both competed in the feature writing event on Wednesday, May 17.

By Sam WallerChildren’s summer programs at First Baptist Church of Albany get into full swing Wednesday, June 7.Children’s minister Ginger Bumguardner said there are still a few openings for the Summer SONshine program, while the community children’s choir is seeking more participants.