By Melinda L. Lucas

Shackelford County commissioners imposed 35 MPH speed limits on several roads near rock quarries in Pct. 4, including 163, 177, 201, 202, and 240 after the required public hearing on March 27.

No one was present from the public to object to the decision, which was proposed by commissioner Cody Jordan at a meeting earlier this month in order to help prevent damage caused by heavy loads.

County judge John Viertel reported that the county might be able to impose fees and/or fines for destruction to county roads.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The annual Membership Drive Crawfish Boil for the Albany Chamber of Commerce is set for next Thursday, April 6 in the parking lot in front of the depot.

The event will kick off at 6:00 p.m. with Chamber directors serving up heaps of crawfish boil, as well as fried fish and the trimmings.

“All Chamber members are invited,” Chamber manager Brandi Lehew said. “We hope to see every­one here and bring a friend and let them come see what the Chamber is all about, and maybe they will want to join.”

By Melinda L. Lucas

Shackelford County chief appraiser Clayton Snyder said this week that some progress is being made in a lawsuit involving a wind farm that has almost $430,000 in outstanding tax assessments that are “owed” to several of the local taxing jurisdictions.

The wind farm corporation had protested the taxes assessed by the Shackelford County Appraisal District (SCAD). The company then sued the district after the district’s Appraisal Review Board ruled against their protest.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Members of the Albany Volunteer Fire Department will host their annual Easter egg hunt at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 8 at Webb City Park.

Parents need to note that the time is earlier in the day than most years in the past.

The park will be sectioned off for each individual age group.

All children will need to meet with their parents at the pool parking lot before the hunt begins to find their sections.

This will be the 21st year for the community egg hunt.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Six Albany High students are advancing to the Region II Academic Meet in April after placing in the top three at the District 10-2A Meet held March 22 in Stamford.

Albany finished the district competition in fifth place at the district meet with 178 points, which also includes points scored in the One Act Play contest held earlier in March.

By Sam Waller

Albany’s Creed Spencer closed out his stock show season in a big way, showing the junior champion lightweight cross barrow at the Star of Texas in Austin.

Spencer was one of several Albany FFA students entered in the final major show of the winter, which concluded its run Saturday, March 24.

Also in the show, Crew Spencer placed third with his barrow.

Slayton Parsons exhibited a ninth place cross.

The Albany students were among nearly two dozen Albany FFA students exhibiting animal projects at major shows this month.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Due to the Good Friday holiday on April 7, the April distribution pickup dates for the commodity food program have been pushed back one week.

Pickup dates are scheduled for Thursday, April 13 and Friday, April 14.

Moran recipients should pick up their monthly commodity food at the Moran City Hall between 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 13.

Albany families can pick up their food on Friday, April 14, from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. at the rear door of the JP office.

By Sam Waller

Albany churches are preparing for a busy Easster  week with services and special events planned.

Easter Sunday falls on April 9 this year.

Trinity Lutheran

Trinity Lutheran Church has a full slate of services starting with Maundy Thursday at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, April 6.

A Good Friday service is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Friday, April 7.

On Easter Sunday, a sunrise service will be held at 7:00 a.m. at the Lutheran Cemetery.

By Sam Waller

Guy Caldwell made his living as a rancher, but serving his alma mater – Hardin-Simmons – was a key part of his life.

The former Albany resident, who died in 1987, was remembered by the institution earlier this month with induction into HSU’s Hall of Leaders. Several family members, including his son Lee Caldwell, attended the ceremony.

By Sam Waller

Shackelford County 4-H’s senior horse judging team qualified for state competition Friday, March 24 at the District 7 contest in San Angelo.

The team of Faith Fry, Madailein Beard, Riley Reames, and Paisley Clark will compete at the State 4-H Roundup in June at College Station.

In addition, two junior teams placed. The team of Grace Fry, Artie Bell, Carly Kreitler, and Cody Fry placed fourth with Rainy Nitschke, Kerrigan Howard, and Reese Nitschke sixth.