By Kathy Thomson

Twenty-nine sale sites took part in the 26th Annual Community Wide Garage Sale last Saturday, Sept. 14, and many locations reported that they did really well, while others did not, according to Chamber of Commerce manager Mary Beth Jones.

“Around 75 maps were picked up,” Jones said. “Although I don’t know why some sales didn’t do as well, it does seem like location may have made a difference.”

Jones said from what she heard, sales located on Main Street may have been better attended than those located off of the beaten path.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Albany ISD trustees heard the district’s 2018-2019 financial review during an hour-long meeting on Monday, Sept. 16, but no action was taken.

CPA Cameron Gulley presented the audit for last school year as “pending,” with the final report due next month.

He advised that no action be taken until figures are received from the Community Foundation of Abilene regarding Albany ISD’s investments.

He did not cite any compliance issues and noted that even though the fund balance has again decreased, the district is in good shape.

By Kathy Thomson

Albany High students voted earlier this week for the students to be named as 2019 Homecoming King and Queen. 

Members of each of the four classes at AHS have selected nominees for king and queen from among the seniors, all of whom will be presented during the Sept. 27 halftime ceremony.

The juniors, sophomores, and freshmen have each selected their class prince and princess, and honorees from several other organizations will also be in the homecoming court. 

AHS Royalty

Amber Michelle Nostrand and Seth Adam Viertel were united in marriage Saturday May 18, 2019 at the Whitney Theatre in Albany, Texas. The service was officiated by John Viertel, father of the groom.

The bride, who was given in marriage by Ted King, wore a floor-length strapless candlelight gown with a criss-cross shirred bodice accented with a wide band of pearls. The A-line gown was also accented with crystals and pearls as was the hairpiece worn by the bride. She carried a large bouquet of sunflowers, baby’s breath, white dahlias, and daisies.

By Kathy Thomson

The West Texas Fair and Rodeo in Abilene ran from Sept. 5-14 and several Shackelford County youth participated in the junior steer show and in the youth open swine show last weekend.

JT Holland placed first in his class of heavy weight Brahman steers and returned to the ring a few minutes later to claim the Brahman championship. 

Bryce Asher and Isaiah Carrillo both caught animals during the calf scramble on Wednesday, Sept. 11.

Results from the livestock show are listed below. 

Junior Steer Show 

By Kathy Thomson

The fifth annual Fort Griffin BBQ Battle for the Blade and World Championship Dove Cook-Off is set to take place at Fort Griffin State Historic Site next Saturday, Sept. 28, and organizers are hoping that a large crowd of cooks and attendees will help them raise funds for the historic calvary fort while enjoying a great day of barbecue and fun.

By Kathy Thomson

The city of Albany will receive a sales tax allotment of $37,868 from the state this September. The amount is down 15.76 percent from the $44,955 payment received in September of 2018.

Payments to date for the 2019 year to the city of Albany are $413,711, up by 6.42 percent from the comparable time last year, when payments of $388,741 had been made.

The city of Moran will receive a net payment of $1,493 this period for a 23.30 percent increase from the $1,211 received in September 2018.

By Melinda L. Lucas

The first Third Thursday Studio of the year will kick off the fall season Thursday, Sept. 19 at the Old Jail Art Center.

Participants can spend a couple of hours with Tamberley Thomas and leave with a framed fall-themed painting.

The event will be held in the Stasney Center from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

On the third Thursday of each month during the school year, the adult-only classes allow participants to try different art media.

A blood drive is scheduled to take place in Albany this afternoon, Sept. 12, and Hendrick Regional Blood Center (formerly Meek Blood Center) will park its bloodmobile at First Baptist Church from 1:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. 

Blood drives in Albany have been sponsored by the Kiwanis Club for over 20 years.

The blood center depends on volunteer blood donors to supply 100 percent of the blood that is used for patient care at 17 area hospitals. 

By Melinda L. Lucas

Shackelford County commissioners confirmed times for upcoming public hearings and meetings, along with discussing repairs to a Precinct 2 bridge and title insurance for Precinct 4 voting site.

The elected officials will already need to meet for two required public hearings and then one special session to vote on the budget and tax rate before the end of the month. They opted to move the regular fourth Monday meeting time to coincide with the Friday, Sept. 20 hearing and avoid conflicting with a jury trial on Sept. 23.