By Sandy Morris With many roadways still covered by a combination of snow and ice, Albany ISD officials decided late Wednesday morning to cancel all classes for the rest of the week. Students and staff had already been out of school the first three days of the week.

By Melinda L. Lucas Local residents who buy a vehicle or a trailer can help the Shackelford County budget by requesting that the title transfer be done at the Shackelford County Courthouse, thereby sending a portion of the taxes paid on the vehicle or trailer to county coffers.

By Sandy Morris Despite the weather, the OJAC is offering a free art activity kit again his week, with children ages four to 12 invited to make a dream ladder toy. Kits are available from the special activity trunk outside of the museum gate through Sunday, Feb. 21.

By Sandy Morris Two new exhibitions will open to the public at the Old Jail Art Center starting Saturday, Feb. 27 and run through Saturday, May 22. The museum is open limited hours at present, and no public event is planned because of COVID precautions.

By Sandy Morris The Shackelford County hospital district will be the only entity holding an election on Saturday, May 1, as other local races were uncontested following the end of a month-long filing period. Filing ended last Friday afternoon, Feb. 12.

By Melinda L. Lucas Free COVID rapid tests are still available at the Shackelford County EMS station Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. The tests are free, but county citizens must have a valid drivers license and an email address in order to receive a test.

By Melinda L. Lucas Albany ISD superintendent Jonathan Scott announced at the end of last week that Monday’s regular school board meeting had been postponed until Feb. 22.

By Melinda L. Lucas Members of the Shackelford County Hospital District’s board of directors met on Tuesday night, Feb. 16 with the primary purpose of approving payment of bills, and that’s about all they had time for, with a nearby house fire interrupting the session.

By Melinda L. Lucas In addition to dealing with paralyzing cold during the last few days, Albany citizens have been stunned by two devastating house fires that took the life of a local woman and  completely destroyed both homes.

By Sandy Morris & Melinda L. Lucas Old Man Winter blew into Shackelford County with a vengeance Sunday morning with freezing drizzle, snow flurries, temperatures in the teens and low 20s, and a wind chill near zero.