By Donnie A. Lucas
Albany Live will host the fourth country artist in its 2023 spring concert series when Kaitlin Butts makes her Albany debut at the Aztec Theater on Saturday.
Doors open at 7:00 p.m., with the performance at 8:00 p.m.
As of Tuesday, about 120 tickets were still available for the show, meaning tickets will probably still be sold at the door.
The Old Jail Art Center has again achieved accreditation by the American Alliance of Museums, the highest national recognition afforded the nation’s museums. Accreditation signifies excellence to the museum community, to governments, funders, outside agencies, and to the museum-going public.
The Old Jail was initially accredited in 1989. All museums must undergo a re-accreditation review at least every 10 years to maintain accredited status.
By Melinda L. Lucas
The staff of the Lions Roar, the student newspaper for Albany High School, won an 18th consecutive Star Award, as well as three Tops in Texas honors and over 40 individual achievement citations at the annual Interscholastic League Press Conference in Austin last weekend.
The state-level convention for middle and high school journalism students was held on the campus of the University of Texas and includes workshops and the announcing of awards for the current school year.
By Donnie A. Lucas
The annual Membership Sampler of the Fort Griffin Fandangle is set for Saturday at Reynolds Bend on the Matthews Ranch.
The gate at “the Bend” will open at 5:00 p.m., with the performance starting promptly at 6:00 p.m.
The Sampler is a shortened version of the 85th anniversary Fandangle in June and is open to members of the Fandangle Association.
Held at the ranch for a number of years, the membership party and preview returned to the historic Lambshead Ranch for the first time last year after a 25-year absence.
By Donnie A. Lucas
The 16th annual Albany Classic Car Show is revved up and ready to go in downtown Albany on Saturday, April 15, with the public urged to come see dozens of vintage cars and trucks from around the Big Country.
Organizer Robert Snyder said activities will actually begin on Friday, April 14, starting with a hamburger supper beginning at 5:30 p.m. at the car museum on Main Street.
By Melinda L. Lucas
Mary Quintero, former supervisor of the Shackelford County Hospital District’s ambulance service, appeared before District Judge Brooks Hagler last Thursday, April 6 and pled guilty to a two-year-old charge of theft of a controlled substance.
Quintero, who lives in Stephens County, and her attorney David Wimberly waived the right to a jury trial, opting instead to accept the judge’s ruling.
By Melinda L. Lucas
An Albany blood drive is set for tomorrow, April 14.
Hendrick Regional Blood Center will park the bloodmobile at First Baptist Church at the usual time from 1:00 to 6:00 p.m., but local donors are reminded to note that the drives will be held on Fridays this year rather than Thursdays.
By Melinda L. Lucas
An estimate of $275.725 for a new ambulance to replace a 2009 unit that has “become a liability” was reported during Monday’s session of the Shackelford County Hospital District directors.
Chad Havens of the EMS, who has been researching options and obtaining bids for the vehicle, recommended a 2024 Chevrolet. Any of the vehicles will take roughly a year to complete.
The item was tabled until the May meeting in order to research grants to help with the purchase.
Other Business
By Sam Waller
Albany’s Prairie Star Deli & Grill will be closed for at least two weeks to undergo remodeling following the sale of the business.
Eddie Edington, who co-owned the business with his wife, Deneen, and sister, Treca Edington, sold the local convenience store and lunch spot to AllStar Fuel of Plainview with the change of ownership taking place this month.
While the store is closed, the gas pumps will remain open. All transactions must be by card at the pump.
By Melinda L. Lucas
New Albany Volunteer Fire Department Chief Joel Viertel gave a report to Albany city council members during their regular April meeting on Monday night, stating that he and Captain Travis Gardenhire plan to fly to Oregon later this month to finalize the $220,000 purchase of a 2022 Dodge diesel 5500, which will serve as both a “rescue truck” and a “brush/utility truck.”
The vehicle is being paid for with $175,000 from an anonymous donor, added to $45,000 from the fire department’s “restricted account,” which is regulated by the city council.
