By Kathy Thomson With only one day left to file for local offices, as of press time on Tuesday, there was still a shortage of candidates for several of the local boards. The only person to file for an office since press time last week is Shackelford County Hospital Board incumbent Chris Beard.

By Melinda L. Lucas Two directors were re-elected to the Albany Chamber of Commerce board at the organization’s annual membership meeting on  Friday, Feb. 7, at Ft. Griffin Gen. Mdse. restaurant., and one new board member was selected. Officers for the upcoming year were chosen on the same day.

By Kathy Thomson Several Shackelford County youth, parents, and advisors are in the middle of one of the busiest times of the stock show season, with Fort Worth, San Angelo, San Antonio, Houston, and Austin all underway over the next few weeks.

By Melinda L. Lucas The first Winter Encampment at Fort Griffin State Historic Site is being hosted this Saturday, Feb. 15 by members of the park’s Living History Association. The event is scheduled from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.

Kindergarten teacher Chloe Early (l) and students (l-r) London Dye, Nolan Turner, and Cyrus Snyder admire some of the boxes that will be used for Friday’s Valentine parties. Designs range from castles and unicorns to Godzilla and Patrick Mahomes.

By Kathy Thomson The Parent Teacher Organization’s Scholastic “Book Fair Jungle: Elephants, Tigers, and Books, OH MY!” is set to wind down to a close tomorrow, Friday, Feb. 14, at the Nancy Smith Elementary School cafeteria, but purchases can still be made between now and then.

Albany Independent School District has scheduled a student holiday for Monday, Feb. 17, in honor of Presidents Day.  Schools at both Albany campuses will release at the normal times on Friday, Feb. 14, and will resume classes at the normal times on Tuesday, Feb.

Shackelford County senior adults (60 and up) are invited to attend the Shackelford County Resource Center’s February senior luncheon to be held on Friday, Feb. 14 at the Youth Center beginning at 11:15 a.m.

by Kathy Thomson Tuesday, Feb. 18 is the first day of early voting for the March 3 primary election, with balloting taking place at the Shackelford County Courthouse, in the lobby area on the first floor, through Friday, Feb. 28.  Early voting hours are 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon and 1:00 to 5:00 p.

By Donnie A. Lucas The Lady Lions locked down third place in the district race last week with a pair of victories at home, earning a spot in the playoffs Monday, Feb. 17. Albany will face Eldorado in the bi-district game, set to be played at Bronte on Monday, Feb. 17 with a 6:30 p.m. tipoff.