By Melinda L. Lucas
With a “kickoff meeting” held last Thursday, community leaders are currently working to expand access of high speed internet in Shackelford and Throckmorton counties, with a special survey open through the end of May.
According to county judge Robert Skelton, he and other organizers are already working to obtain completed residential, business, and agriculture surveys from local residents.
By Sandy Morris
The West Texas Food Bank will once again distribute food boxes to residents in Albany and Moran.
According to Shackleford County Justice of the Peace James Breeden, the distribution will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, March 18 in front of the JP’s office.
“These food boxes are available to everyone in the community,” said Breeden. “Nobody will be denied, and there are no restrictions on who qualifies.”
Each person may receive one box of food and two gallons of milk.
By Sandy Morris
The National Wildlife Federation recently sent out letters to mayors of all cities in the path of the Monarch Butterfly migration, and Albany mayor Susan Montgomery was a recipient of one of those letters.
“The letter asked that we all take the Monarch Mayor Pledge and proclaim the week of March 22 to March 27 as Monarch Awareness Week,” Montgomery said. “The Monarch is near extinction, and by making this pledge, we commit to work toward creating a habitat for the butterfly.”
By Melinda L. Lucas
Following a late afternoon meeting with representatives of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Texas Department of Emergency Management (TDEM), Shackelford County judge Robert Skelton is asking local residents and property owners affected by last month’s winter storm to make sure they have completed a FEMA survey by Sunday, March 21.
By Melinda L. Lucas
With new CDC guidelines for coronavirus vaccine distribution and more relaxed statewide COVID restrictions now in effect, Shackelford County residents are hoping that some semblance of “normal” will return in the near future, even as regular spring activities like Fandangle practice and league sports resume.
Both Albany health clinics are reporting fewer positive cases of the coronavirus, although Albany ISD did communicate that there was one lab-confirmed student at the elementary campus in the days leading up to Spring Break.
By Melinda L. Lucas
Multiple sirens and the response of several emergency vehicles got the attention of local residents Friday evening, March 5 after a 911 call came in that a single vehicle had crashed through a fence along Hwy. 6 south of Albany and started a small fire.
Shackelford County sheriff Ed Miller said Tuesday that the deputy who first answered the call asked for immediate backup because the driver appeared to be under the influence of a controlled substance.
By Sandy Morris
Warmer, spring-like temperatures, along with the upcoming time change, have many local residents ready to get out and enjoy the pleasant weather. However, the month of March is also the time to get prepared for severe weather.
SkyWarn Training
The National Weather Service (NWS), with the help of local organizations, conducts SkyWarn classes each spring.
According to Albany Volunteer Fire Department chief Kyle Tischler, an upcoming class will be offered locally.
By Sandy Morris
Albany Sports Center sent two cheer teams to compete at the American Spirit Championship 2021 North Texas Express Nationals at the Curtis Calwell Center in Garland on Sunday, March 7.
The Level 3 team members were named National Champions in their division and brought home a banner for the gym and a hoodie for each girl on the team.
Coach Kourtnee Waters said the team did very well, despite several obstacles.
By Sandy Morris
Local resident Elsie Byrne recently celebrated her 104th birthday on Monday, Feb. 22.
Byrne was surprised with a party organized by close family friend Catherine Burton of Abilene.
Friends celebrated at Los Cazadores with Byrne, who still lives on her own.
By Sandy Morris
Albany ISD students, faculty, and staff are scheduled to dismiss for the spring break holiday at the regular time on Friday, March 12.
Cheerleader try-outs will be held on Friday prior to the break, with the sixth graders bused over to the Albany High School gym for the competition.
Spring break will take place March 15-19.
Classes will resume at the normal time on Monday, March 22.
