By Sam Waller

The second round of repairs to the Landreth Dam bridge has not yet started, and the bridge across Hubbard Creek on FM 601 remained open as of press time on Tuesday night, Shackelford County Precinct 2 commissioner Ace Reames said.

The second round of repairs was to have started Monday, Feb. 21, and take up to eight work days to complete with the bridge being closed to traffic during that time.

Reames said last week’s winter storm prevented the contractor from beginning work as planned and permanent repairs still had not commenced earlier this week.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The number of positive COVID-19 cases tested locally dropped to five last week out of the 15 tests administered.

The decrease in the number of tests was possibly impacted by local clinics being closed due to weather for two of the five days. However, the number of positive cases has been trending downward over the last month.

The three local testing sites reported a combined total of  13 positive test results from the 44 tests administered during the week of Feb. 14-18.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The Fort Griffin Fandangle Association has raised about half the funds needed for major repairs at the Prairie Theater, as well as improving sets, costumes, and the calliope, through a capital improvement drive that started in December.

While in the midst of the annual membership drive, the organization is also seeking additional funds for major improvements that do not include money donated through regular memberships or the sale of tickets.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Two Albany residents will be honored tonight at the biennial Albany Stars event set to start at 6:30 p.m. at the Aztec Theater.

There is no charge to attend the event, which will include hors d’oeurvres and water in the meeting room and on the patio after the awards are presented.

“Everyone is welcome to attend,” said Chamber manager Mary Beth Jones. “You don’t have to be a Chamber member to come help us celebrate our Albany Stars.”

The Chamber accepted nominations from the public, with a committee looking through the suggestions.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Courthouse cleaning options during the ongoing medical leave for county employee Sherry Garvin was the main focus of Monday’s meeting of the Shackelford County elected officials, but no action was taken and a special meeting set March 7 to continue looking at solutions.

Garvin has been ill for several months, and Courthouse employees have been trying to keep up with basic cleaning. Commissioners are also concerned that the wooden blinds are due for “oiling,” along with several other projects that can’t be performed by office workers.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Albany ISD students and staff will make up a deficit in classroom minutes by eliminating three early release days at the end of the spring semester, according to an announcement by AISD superintendent Jonathan Scott on Monday.

Scott said that members of the District Improvement Committee met Friday, Feb. 24 and were presented with a couple of different options on how to make up “minutes” lost when last week’s winter storm caused classes to be cancelled on Wednesday and Thursday.

By Melinda L. Lucas

By the end of Tuesday’s primaries, about 24 percent of Shackelford County’s 2,261 registered voters elected a new county judge to take over next January, and followed most statewide trends in other elections.

John M. Viertel finished with 290 votes to Raleigh Breeden’s 214 to win the Republican candidacy for county judge. He will be unopposed on the November general election ballot.

By Sam Waller

Two Moran meat judging teams scored well in contests over the weekend at major livestock shows.

Moran teams placed 25th and 35th out of 43 teams on Saturday, Feb. 19, at San Angelo. On Sunday, Feb. 20, the teams finished 33rd and 41st out of 77 teams in San Antonio.

Moran superintendent Dr. John Denson said two members of the first team scored extremely high in placing classes at San Angelo.

By Sam Waller

Colter Edgar placed second in his division with a barrow as Albany FFA and 4-H members completed participation in the San Angelo Livestock Show and Rodeo.

Five Albany students exhibited barrows in the swine show, which wrapped up Thursday, Feb. 17. The San Angelo show concluded on Sunday, Feb. 20.

Edgar competed in the Lightweight Cross division in San Angelo. His second-place finish enabled him to make the sale with the animal.

Also showing barrows were Callan Edgar, Tye Edgar, Tatum Grady, and Paige Price.

By Sam Waller

Fort Griffin Fandangle Association members are responding quickly to letters that they received a couple of weeks ago, purchasing memberships at seven different levels ranging from Pioneer at $25 to platinum at $5,000. The Pioneer membership is open only to those age 65 and up.

Memberships may be purchased online at www.fortgriffinfandangle.org or by calling the Fandangle office at 325-762-3838.

Rehearsals Start