Construction activity continues to expand at the Frontier data center project in Shackelford County, bringing both economic activity and growing pains to the area.

The large-scale development, located southwest of Albany, represents a $25 billion investment by Vantage Data Centers and is part of a broader technology expansion tied to Oracle and OpenAI.

The Albany City Council approved a major infrastructure project tied to the city’s newest residential development during its regular meeting Thursday, Feb. 12, at City Hall

Council members unanimously accepted a bid totaling about $540,000 for Phase 1 & 2 construction of a sewer line serving the Highway 6 subdivision, clearing the way for continued progress on the new neighborhood.

The Albany ISD Board of Trustees unanimously approved plans Monday to replace the visitor-side bleachers at the Albany football field, citing safety concerns, building code issues and lack of accessibility with the existing structure.

Superintendent Daryl Stuard told trustees the current visitor bleachers are several decades old and are in deteriorating condition. He said multiple contractors advised that the bleachers do not meet current building codes and are not ADA compliant, and that bringing them up to standard would cost nearly as much as full replacement.

As Albany ISD prepares for a May bond election, questions have surfaced regarding whether Shackelford County could use revenue from the new data center project to help fund construction of a new school campus.

The Albany Mainstreet Playhouse will take the stage this weekend with its production of God’s Favorite, a comedy by Neil Simon inspired by the biblical story of Job. Performances are scheduled for Friday and Saturday evenings at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday afternoon at 2:30 p.m.

The play was last staged in Albany in 2010 and returns more than a decade later with a largely new cast under the direction of Lorna Ayers. The production also marks AMP’s second Neil Simon comedy in less than a year, following last winter’s presentation of Rumors.

Significant course improvements are scheduled to begin next month at Albany Golf Club, with a multi-phase greens renovation and course enhancement project planned for late winter and early spring.

The Albany ISD Board of Trustees unanimously voted Monday morning to call a $26 million school building bond election, officially setting the issue before voters in May.

The special meeting was held at 8 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 2, and was called specifically to consider the order calling the bond election. The motion was made by Joe Tidwell and seconded by Ginny Ivy and passed with a 6–0 vote. Trustee Reggy Spencer was absent.

Trustees voting in favor were Matt Bellah, John Gallagher, Ginny Ivy, Kalico Leech, Robert Montgomery, and Joe Tidwell.

A prolonged Arctic cold front brought dangerous winter weather to Shackelford County last week, leading to school closures, schedule changes and icy travel conditions across Albany and Moran.

Albany ISD announced an early release at noon on Friday, Jan. 23, ahead of the arrival of the winter storm. Classes and all school activities were canceled the following Monday as ice and freezing temperatures moved into the area.

More than 100 Shackelford County youth showcased their livestock projects last week as the 2026 Shackelford County Livestock Show concluded with a solid premium sale and add-on contributions still coming in.

A total of 116 students from the Albany and Moran FFA chapters and Shackelford County 4-H entered 219 animal projects. Each exhibitor was eligible to sell one project in Saturday’s premium sale. The annual show is presented by the Shackelford County Youth and Livestock Association (SCYLA).

What began as a crowded local leaderboard ended with a single winner after the final whistle of the College Football Playoff National Championship Game.

Five participants finished the bracket challenge tied after the first round, quarterfinals and semifinal games. Points were awarded for correctly picking the winner of each game, setting up a tight race heading into the title matchup.