Kurtis Ray Smith went to be with the Lord on April 28, 2023, at the age of 58. In celebration of his life, there will be two services. The first memorial service will be held May 11, 2023, at 1:00 p.m., at the Albany Methodist Church in Albany, Texas. The second service will be held at WoodsEdge Community Church where he attended when he lived in Houston, on May 26, 2023, at 10:00 a.m.
By Donnie A. Lucas
Albany High School recently announced honor students for the 2023 senior class, with Ella Webb named valedictorian and Presley Green as salutatorian.
Six other seniors were named honor students as part of the top 25 percent of the class, which has 32 members.
Webb, the daughter of Glen and Misti Webb of Albany, has a four-year overall grade average of 97.105.
Green has a overall GPA of 96.53. She is the daughter of Jessi Green, and Jake and Brandi Green, all of Albany.
By Donnie A. Lucas
The Shackelford County Youth and Livestock Association (SCYLA) announced a major fundraising effort last week of $160,000 to $200,000 to make what they term as long overdue improvements to the 50-year-old County Show Barn.
A group of board members made the announcement at a county commissioners’ meeting on April 24, seeking a financial commitment of $20,000 from the county.
By Melinda L. Lucas
A washed-up kayak on the shore of McCarty Lake south of Albany Tuesday afternoon, April 25, together with the presence of a parked pickup nearby, triggered a three-day search for 58-year-old Kurtis Ray Smith of Albany that ended with the recovery of Smith’s body from the lake on Friday morning, April 28.
Shackelford County Game Warden Jacob Mort said he was notified about the situation Tuesday evening after a deputy had checked the scene and felt that a search was in order.
By Sam Waller
The inaugural Shackelford County Horse Show will offer 4-H and FFA members a chance to display their horsemanship skills in a variety of contests.
The show, under the auspices of the Shackelford Youth and Livestock Association, is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. Saturday, May 6 at the Fikes Arena.
The event is free and open to the public. Happy Grill will be on hand to provide food service.
Shackelford County extension agent Kelsey Bell said entry deadline is May 4 (today), but most contestants are already registered.
By Melinda L. Lucas
With the school year winding down, summer is about to kick off, and registration is now open for ResourceCare’s Day Camp 2023 set July 10-14 and 24-28.
Programs assistant Ragan Riley noted that the event is over a period of two weeks, but there is an open week in between.
“You can find the link to register your child(ren) on ResourceCare’s Facebook page, you can contact me at rriley@resourcecare.org to receive the link, or you can scan the QR code with this article,” said Riley.
All campers must be registered by June 30.
By Sam Waller
Three Shackelford County 4-H members placed in their events at the District 7 Roundup, held Friday, April 28 at San Angelo.
In the senior age group, Faith Fry placed first in horse educational presentation to qualify for the State 4-H Roundup, scheduled for June 5-8 at College Station.
In the junior division, Grace Fry was second in horse educational presentation and Carly Kreitler was fifth in poetry/prose.
By Donnie A. Lucas
Rehearsals for the 85th anniversary production of the Fort Griffin Fandangle start on Sunday, May 7 with the children’s numbers, continuing with a full slate of various rehearsals on Sundays through Thursdays throughout May and June.
The performance dates for the show this year are June 16-17 and June 23-24, with the annual parade set for Saturday, June 17.
Tickets for the show are currently on sale on the Fandangle website at www.fortgriffinfandangle.org.
By Melinda L. Lucas
Pick-up dates for the May distribution of the commodity food program will be Thursday, May 4 and Friday, May 5.
Moran families should pick up their monthly commodity food at the Moran City Hall between 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, May 4.
Albany families who have been certified as eligible for the May food distribution program may pick up their food on Friday, May 5, from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. at the rear door of the JP office.
By Donnie A. Lucas
Albany High School’s juniors and seniors will make memories on Saturday, May 6 at the annual Junior/Senior Prom, including the crowning of the Prom King and Queen.
The event will be held from 8:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. at the Whitney Theatre, sponsored by the junior class, sponsors, and parents.
The theme this year is “A Night to Remember,” with music provided by disc jockey Brandon Johnson of Abilene.
