By Donnie A. LucasNancy Smith Elementary School is looking for members of the community who would like to serve as mentors to local students.

By Melinda L. LucasFour 2022 graduates have been named to the 2021-2022 All-State Journalism Staff, which is awarded by the Interscholastic League Press Conference.

By Sam WallerThe Albany Volunteer Fire Department will hold its Burgers & Birds cookout from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 3 at the fire station to celebrate the opening of dove season.For a $10 donation, donors will receive a fresh-cooked burger, choice of chips, a drink, and a cookie.

By Sam WallerShackelford County 4-H will hold its annual kickoff party to start the coming year at 6:00 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 18 at Webb Park.Shackelford County extension agent Kelsey Bell said 4-Hers will be introduced to a variety of projects in which to participate for the coming year.

By Donnie A. LucasDirectors of the Shackelford County Appraisal District (SCAD) have set a public hearing for the proposed 2023 budget on Wednesday, Sept. 14 at 7:30 a.m.Following the hearing, the board of directors is expected to adopt the budget, which tallies $425,791 in expenditures.

By Sam WallerA hot, dry summer is shaping up to force another below-average dove season in Shackelford County.Game warden Jacob Mort said conditions have led to a low bird count in the area.“Driving around the county right now, there’s not a lot of birds,” Mort said.

By Sam WallerRegistration for the Albany Chamber of Commerce’s Community Garage Sale continued this week with Chamber manager Mary Beth Jones reporting the event has reached 10 participants signed up.“We’ve got a few more who have called or come in when they’ve had a chance,” Jones said.

By Donnie A. LucasWhat is believed to be a record crowd of music festival fans was on hand last Saturday for the fifth annual CareFest benefitting the ResourceCare centers, which serve six area communities.

By Melinda L. LucasShackelford County commissioners topped off a month of budget workshops and regular sessions by meeting for the fourth Monday in a row on Aug.

By Melinda L. LucasAfter working through line items for all four divisions of the Shackelford County Hospital District in a special session on Wednesday, Aug. 24, board members ended up with a proposed budget based on the “no-new-revenue” (NNR) rate of 19.24 cents.