By Donnie A. Lucas

Several high school students and sponsors will compete in the Abilene Wylie Valentine UIL Classic on Saturday at Wylie High school.

UIL director Rick Davis said that this is the second practice meet of the season in preparation for the district contest set for March 22 at Stamford.

Albany is entering a computer science team for the first time in several years. Kolton Koemel and Chase McDaniel will be competing, with Matthew Howard serving as the sponsor for the event.

By Sam Waller

Registration is ongoing for Albany Little League.

Registration forms are available at Nancy Smith Elementary School and Albany Junior/Senior High. Online registration is available at albanytxll.com.

Albany Little League is open to boys and girls to play at the T-ball, Coach Pitch, Minor, Major, Intermediate and Junior levels.

Registration fees are $50 for T-ball and Coach Pitch, $75 for Major and Minor, and $85 for Intermediate and Junior.

For information, contact Paul Hamilton at 214-543-9947.

Albany Softball Assoc.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Because of road conditions on Feb. 2, the regular pick-up date for Moran and Albany recipients of the commodity food program was rescheduled to this week, according to Shackelford County Justice of the Peace James Breeden, who coordinates the program.

Moran families can pick up monthly commodity food at the Moran City Hall between 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 9. Albany families can pick up on Friday morning from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. at the JP office.

By Sam Waller

Dr. John Denson of Moran has been selected to a seat on the board of Masonic Children and Family Services Board of Texas by the Grand Lodge of Texas.

Denson said the board, which oversaw the Masonic Home and School of Texas until its closure in 2005, provides services to families in need.

“They fund dental work and the Fantastic Teeth program, which dispenses toothbrushes in schools,” Denson said. “They give scholarships, assist widows and orphans, and also have an autism education program for the parents of autistic children.”

By Melinda L. Lucas

Shackelford County residents, as did the rest of the state, had plenty of warning before this week’s winter storm moved through the area, and for the most part, there were fewer problems than during the 2021 “deep freeze” that occurred at almost exactly the same time of the year.

There was also a winter storm in early February 2022, very similar to this year’s event.

By Donnie A. Lucas

After a final weekend that well may have broken all records during a 40-year run, the doors on an Albany institution – Fort Griffin General Merchandise Restaurant and Beehive Saloon – swung shut for the final time Saturday.

The local eatery operated by Ali and Patty Esfandiary and family hosted a farewell weekend on Thursday through Saturday as a way to say goodbye to their many customers locally  throughout the Big Country.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Because of bad weather, the deadline for taxes assessed during 2022 will not be delinquent until Feb. 3.

Instead of Jan. 31, the deadline for payment is now Thursday, Feb. 2, according to Shackelford County chief appraiser Clayton Snyder.

Payments made in person at 132 Hill St. will be accepted through the end of today, as will mailed payments postmarked no later than Feb. 2, 2023.

Anything in the drop box by the start of business of Friday, Feb. 3 will not be considered delinquent.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Weather permitting, the staff at the Old Jail Art Center will welcome families into the Stasney Center on Saturday, Feb. 4 for a three-hour celebration of the New Year of the Trees, known as Tu BiShvat.

Starting at 1:00 p.m, participants can enjoy traditional food, art, and games observing the centuries-old Arbor Day tradition from Israel, according to Kirsten Hahn, Family and Public Programs Coordinator at the Old Jail.

“We’ll be celebrating with fun crafts, games, food, music, and more,” said Hahn.

By Melinda L. Lucas

An Albany blood drive is set for tomorrow, Feb. 3.

Hendrick Regional Blood Center will park the bloodmobile at First Baptist Church at the usual time from 1:00 to 6:00 p.m.

Local donors are reminded that drives will be held on Fridays this year rather Thursdays.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Because of winter weather, the pick-up dates for the February distribution of the commodity food program are being pushed back a week to Thursday, Feb. 9 and Friday, Feb. 10, according to Justice of the Peace James Breeden, who coordinates the program.

“The schedule and process will be exactly the same, just a week later,” said Breeden.

Moran families can pick up their food at Moran City Hall between 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 9.

Albany pickup will be Friday, Feb. 10 from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. at the rear door of the JP office.