James Lee Turner, age 77 of Newport Beach died Feb. 18, 2023 surrounded by loved ones after a battle with Lewy Body Dementia. James was born Nov. 9, 1945 to Martyne Lanoe Black and Russell Frank Wade in Abilene, Texas. After playing varsity football and graduating from Cooper High School in 1963, James went on to study political science at the University of Arizona where he was a member of the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity. During his freshman year, he met Nancy Odell Turner and when, according to Nancy, he showed up for their first date wearing cowboy boots, she knew she was in trouble.

Weldon Glenn Breeden, 81, of Refugio, Texas was reunited with his beloved wife, Emma, in Heaven on Feb. 20, 2023. Glenn was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He was affectionately called “Pa” to his grandchildren and many friends from Albany to Refugio.

By Melinda L. Lucas

During their Feb. 14 meeting, Albany city council members moved forward with a $3 million bond program through the Texas Water Development Board for water system improvements.

A representative of Enprotec / Hibbs & Todd, the city’s engineering consultant, explained the project, stating that funding can be used for system infrastructure improvements from the plant to the lines and storage tanks.

By Melinda L. Lucas

With no contested races as of Tuesday, residents only have two more days to toss their hats into the local political ring for several local elections to be decided May 6.

The Albany and Moran ISD trustee elections and both Albany and Moran city councils had drawn full slates of candidates as of Tuesday, with one or more positions still lacking candidates on the other two boards with terms expiring for the election.

Without a contested race thus far, all six boards are looking at the possibility of being able to cancel their elections.

By Sam Waller

History buffs can get a glimpse of what life was like on the frontier Saturday, Feb. 18 at Fort Griffin State Historic Site’s Winter Encampment.

The event, scheduled for 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., will feature living historians who will fine-tune their skills while they portray a frontier winter encampment. Assistant site manager Eric Abercrombie said the event is similar to the site’s Living History Days held each October.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The staff at the Shackelford County Health Clinic recognized nurse practioner Travis Wilburn for 20 years of service to the clinic and the Albany community on Monday.

Wilburn started working for the clinic operated by the hospital district on Feb. 3, 2003, or at least that is pretty close to his start date.

By Sam Waller

Albany FFA and Shackelford County 4-H members spent last week competing at both the San Angelo and San Antonio livestock shows.

This week, local students were busy showing barrows at San Angelo.

At San Antonio, Shackelford County 4-H had three teams competing in horse judging. Grace Fry was the third high individual in the junior division, while the junior team of Grace Fry, Artie Bell, Cody Fry, and Rainy Nitschke finished sixth.

By Melinda L. Lucas

The winners of 10 drawings for Albany Bucks were named by the Albany Chamber of Commerce on Monday afternoon, with each lucky shopper receiving a $100 gift certificate to a specific local retail store.

A total of $1,000 in Albany Bucks was given away.

The Valentine drawings were conducted during the monthly Chamber board meeting held at noon on Monday.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Shackelford County commissioners worked through a fairly routine agenda in short order on Monday morning, Feb. 13, adjourning in under an hour.

A motion passed to lift the burn ban while there is some moisture in area pastures, to be revisited at the next meeting.

County judge John Viertel said he has granted several requests for burns in recent weeks in light of participation.

Even though the burn ban is inactive, landowners or others who plan to burn should contact the sheriff’s office so officials will know the timeline of the burn.

By Sam Waller

Agriculture producers and landowners have an opportunity to earn continuing education units and TREC credits at the Texas Farm, Ranch and Wildlife Expo scheduled for Tuesday-Wednesday, Feb. 21-22, at Taylor County Expo Center in Abilene.

The two-day event, hosted by the Taylor County Extension Service and the Abilene Chamber of Commerce, offers seminars from crop production to range management and wildlife management. Vendors can interface directly with a combination of farm, ranch and/or wildlife managers and rural consumers in the Big Country.