By Melinda L. LucasAlbany city council members voted during the regular monthly meeting time on Monday, Sept. 11 to adopt the tax rate that had been proposed on Aug. 21.Council members also decided, after a short closed session, to give city manager Billy Holson a raise.

By Sam WallerAlbany’s Bradee Stautzenberger had a big weekend at the West Texas Fair and Rodeo.Albany FFA students stayed busy in the fair’s second week, exhibiting livestock projects and competing in judging contests.Stautzenberger caught a calf in the calf scramble to finish seventh.

By Sam WallerThree Shackelford County 4-H members received awards for their entries in the Fine Arts Division at the West Texas Fair and Rodeo in Abilene.Carley Kreitler took three first places and a second with her projects.

By Donnie A. LucasResourceCare is hosting the 4th annual food drive contest for the Albany and Cross Plains locations, with a Chick-Fil-A lunch on the line for the winning class in both towns.The contest will continue through Monday, Oct. 9, with students competing by grade level at both schools.

By Donnie A. LucasStudents who are needing extra help can attend one of three after-school programs  offered at Nancy Smith Elementary and the Albany Jr./Sr. High campus.

By Donnie A. LucasOpen registration for GED classes continues weekly on Monday and Tuesday nights at the Shackelford County Library, according to local instructor Kenzie Fairchild.Classes started Monday with three students enrolling; however, students are free to begin the program at any point.

By Donnie A. LucasIt was a banner year at the 37th annual First Impressions pig sale benefiting the Shackelford County Youth and Livestock Association on Sunday, including the largest number of pigs sold, most buyers, and the highest gross sales.

By Sam WallerA total of 18 participants took part in the Albany Chamber of Commerce’s community garage sale Saturday, Sept. 9.Chamber manager Brandi Lehew said the event went well.“I reprinted maps a couple of times Saturday morning,” Lehew said. “It was very busy.

By Melinda L. LucasTwo artists will be featured in the Old Jail Art Center’s fall exhibitions, scheduled to open at the local museum with a members’ reception and dinner on Saturday, Sept. 23.The evening is free to all OJAC members, who are asked to RSVP by next Tuesday, Sept. 19.

By Melinda L. LucasApplication forms for Albany Chest funds are now available at both local banks and The Albany News, with a deadline of Friday, Sept. 29.Forms can also be requested by email at news@thealbanynews.net.