The Old Jail Art Center has unveiled a new logo and refreshed brand identity, marking the first update to the institution’s visual presentation since 2006.

The new design was officially adopted by the board in May and is the result of a nearly two-year rebranding process that included extensive input from board members, museum professionals, and community stakeholders. The updated logo was created by Austin-based firm Page Branding and Graphics, with support from a grant provided by the Still Water Foundation.

Registration for Albany ISD students remains open online and in person this week, as campuses prepare for the start of school on Aug. 13.

According to Nancy Smith Elementary secretary Stephanie Gleitz, registration is still available both online and in person at the elementary and junior high/high school campuses.

“We will be in the office this week to help any additional parents with registration,” Gleitz said. “We do have a few staff meetings throughout the week, so they may want to call first if they need in-person assistance.”

Elementary Details

A bold new beacon now lights up Highway 6 in Albany, as the Goodnight Steakhouse & Saloon unveiled a striking LED neon sign that has instantly become a local landmark. 

The project began with the creative mind of owner Jason Harlow, who envisioned a sign that would reflect both Texas heritage and roadside appeal.

A major new housing development in Albany is beginning to take shape, though progress has slowed due to state permitting delays and water runoff concerns. Once completed, the project will feature 53 residential lots, multiple commercial tracts, and full access to city water and sewer services. The development is located just inside the city limits along Highway 6 and is owned by the Albany Economic Development Corporation.

The Shackelford County Commissioners Court met Monday, July 28, to handle a range of routine items and hear a detailed presentation on the county’s floodplain management obligations under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

Floodplain discussion

This week marks the end of an era and the beginning of a new one for The Albany News.

As I shared in the paper a few weeks ago, the printing facility in Lubbock is shutting down. The news came as a surprise, even to the team up there. The Lubbock Avalanche-Journal is moving its printing operations to Juárez, Mexico. While there was an option to move our printing there as well, it did not feel like the right fit for our paper.

Atmos Energy crews are currently at work along North Main Street as part of a system modernization project to improve the safety and reliability of Albany’s natural gas infrastructure.

Online registration for returning Albany ISD students is expected to open Thursday, July 31 (today), pending the successful rollover of the district’s registration system.

The district will continue using the Ascender Parent Portal for the registration process. Parents can access the portal through the “Parent Sources” tab on the Albany ISD website. A new “Registration Help” tab has been added to provide step-by-step instructions for completing the process.

Once the portal is live, an announcement will be posted on the district’s Facebook page.

Vacation Bible School in Albany concludes today with a family night program following a full week of Bible lessons, music, and community fellowship. The event, held at First Baptist Church, has brought in nearly 200 participants, including around 150 children and 50 volunteers from churches across the area.

Organizers said the turnout this year has remained strong, matching last year’s numbers.

Each day focused on a different Bible lesson tied to the overall theme, “Magnigied! Discovering the bigness of God in the Smallest of Things.” 

Albany’s annual cheer camp brought excitement and energy to the high school gym this week, as 62 young girls from ages 3 through sixth grade participated in three days of cheer, chants, and themed dress-up fun.

Held Monday through Wednesday, the camp introduced girls to the fundamentals of cheerleading while giving them the opportunity to work alongside Albany junior high and high school cheerleaders. This year’s camp was coordinated by cheer sponsor Lauren Peacock, who previously served in the role from 2014 to 2017, along with co-coordinator Ashlyn Bevel.