By David H. Waller

The Albany Live 2025 concert series continues this week with a highly anticipated performance by Texas music legend Gary P. Nunn. Set for January 25 at the Aztec Theater, the show promises an exciting evening of live music featuring one of the most celebrated names in Texas country.

Doors will open at 6:30 p.m., with the concert kicking off at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are still available and can be purchased online or at the door. Early arrival is recommended to secure a good seat and enjoy the pre-show atmosphere.

By Melinda L. Lucas

There were times when it looked as though the Albany Chest wouldn’t come anywhere close to its 2024 goal, but donations flooded in at the end of the year, surging past the $48,000 goal and reaching what was possibly a record year with $53,310.75 in collections since October.

Chest directors met last week on Wednesday, Jan. 15, and handed out almost $56,000 to 25 applicants, including the Albany Band Boosters, who recently submitted a request for help funding the 2025 spring trip.

By David H. Waller

Brookshire’s grocery store in Albany has made a generous donation of $1,100 to Resource­Care Community Health Center, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing comprehensive healthcare services to underserved individuals in the area.

By Melinda L. Lucas

No major skirmishes were recorded at the Jan. 20 meeting of the Shackelford County Hospital District’s board of directors, with those present voicing a desire to move forward from the problematic sessions over the last four months.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Amending the 2024 capital improvement budget took most of a 45-minute Albany city council meeting held on Wednesday, Jan. 15, with city manager Billy Holson going over the capital improvement expenditures for the year in advance of the end of the city’s fiscal year on March 31.

Holson explained that the five-year plan is always adjusted for various reasons, usually depending on unexpected costs and lack of personnel to complete projects.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Filing opened last Wednesday, Jan. 15 for the local May 3 elections, with several incumbents and one newcomer signing up as of Tuesday’s press deadline.

Candidates have until Friday, Feb. 14 to file for the local elections, each of which could be cancelled if there are not opposed races.

Albany ISD

Board of Trustees

By Melinda L. Lucas

With just about two weeks left before the official deadline, a large percentage of the county-wide tax levies will be collected in the next few days.

Taxes assessed during 2024 are officially due on Friday, Jan. 31. 

By David H. Waller

The Shackelford County Commissioners Court held its regular meeting on Monday, addressing several important topics, including IT system upgrades, internet improvements, and road equipment replacement.

Discussions on implementing a burn ban took place, but no action was taken, leaving no burn ban currently in effect.

By Melinda L. Lucas

The filing period for local elections opened Wednesday for several entities such as the school board, city council, and hospital board and will continue until Friday, Feb. 14.

The election date set by the state for all local elections is Saturday, May 3.

Candidates have the 30-day filing period to sign up for a spot on one of the local boards or councils.

By Sam Waller

The 2025 Shackelford County Livestock Show is set for Thursday-Saturday, Jan. 16-18, at the county show barn.

Annually the largest single extracurricular activity in the County, this year’s show has 132 students from Albany and Moran FFA chapters as well as Shackelford County 4-H entering approximately 225 animal projects. Each student will be allowed to sell one project in the premium sale, scheduled for 1:00 p.m. Saturday.