By Donnie A. Lucas

A record crowd of students, parents and staff attended the annual Academic Banquet on Monday to honor academic excellence of students in a variety of activities including academic UIL events, journalism, band, FFA, one-act play, and FCCLA.

A total of 370 attended the event to recap the successes of the school year, which is sponsored by The Feed Store, Albany Academic Booster Club, and Albany ISD.

The group was welcomed by superintendent Jonathan Scott, proceeding to the buffet line for the meal prepared by the Icehouse Restaurant.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Voters will have the chance to go to the polls for a second time this month with the May 24 State Primary Elections Run-off for both the Republican and Democratic parties.

In-person early voting ends on Friday, May 20. All voting is again consolidated at the Shackelford County Courthouse.

Early voters can mark their ballots from 8:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. through May 20. The Courthouse is also open through the lunch hour for early voters.

By Melinda L. Lucas

A blood drive is scheduled to take place in Albany next Thursday, May 26.

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

The blood center depends on volunteer blood donors to supply 100 percent of the blood that is used for patient care at 17 area hospitals.

Blood center officials said that there is always a need for blood donors of all types. In particular, officials said those who have O+ and O- are needed.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Response to rehearsals for the June performances of the Fort Griffin Fandangle has been great, according to artistic director Lorna Ayers, especially among the younger members of the cast.

“We have had a record number of children showing up for rehearsals which is great,” Ayers said. “But it also presents a problem of having enough adult supervision to make sure the kids all stay safe.”

The director said that the Fandangle has people in place on either side of the stage for the Indian Prairie, which is made is up of mostly children.

By Melinda L. Lucas

The Albany City pool will open to the general public on Wednesday, June 1 with a one-day-only, free-admittance Splash Day.

Albany City pool co-managers this summer are Savannah Maberry, Meg Walser, and Mikaela Jones. Maberry helped with the operation of the facility last summer.

By Sam Waller

Local residents may still submit names for the Shackelford County veterans memorial marker.

Organizer Mary Kay O’Connor said that while it is too late to have names added to the monument in time for this Memorial Day, which will be Monday, May 30, she is continuing to work on the project.

O’Connor said veterans do not need to be deceased nor do they have to have served during wartime to be included.

Veterans’ names should be submitted the way they will appear on the marker as well as proof of service.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Following a month-long reprieve from COVID-19 cases, six positive cases have been reported over the last two weeks.

County Judge Bob Skelton reported Monday that three positive results were reported to him for the week of May 9-13. He also reported three positives the prior week of May 2-6.

A total of eight tests were administered each week.

By Sam Waller

A community-wide clean-up day, an annual promotion of the Albany Chamber of Commerce, is scheduled for Saturday, June 11.

“We need all the help we can get,” Chamber manager Mary Beth said. “Just come on out and help us make Albany look good. If you come and put in a good amount of work for us, we’ll make sure you get something for lunch.”

All area citizens are encouraged to show up that day and work on projects aimed at beautifying Albany. The event offers an opportunity for those needing to accumulate volunteer hours to do so.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Albany High School seniors have a little over one week until they cross the stage and receive their diplomas, and several activities are planned for the soon-to-be graduates between now and Friday, May 27.

This Week

Seniors will practice for Baccalaureate during WIN time on Thursday, May 19 in the AHS auditorium,

Caps and gowns are  being distributed this week.

Gowns will need to be removed from the bags, hung up, and possibly steamed to remove wrinkles.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Albany High School  seniors are on the final countdown to graduation,and their parents and community members are finalizing plans for the traditional Project Graduation party.

Project Graduation is an all-night drug-free and alcohol-free party following commencement exercises and has been an annual tradition in Albany since 1988.

This year’s fundraising drive has resulted in adequate funding, but chairman Kenzie Fairchild said this week that any additional monies given in the next week will subsidize the seniors’ gift card amounts.