Albany High School students competed at the Haskell Pow Wow, a University Interscholastic League academic invitational meet, on Saturday, Jan. 26, and several Albany students brought home individual medals. In addition, Albany journalism students won the first place team plaque. 

“The students did great!” Rick Davis, UIL coordinator said. “I think we are well on our way to another successful year in UIL academics.”

Albany was the top journalism team with 93 points. Coleman was the second high journalism team with 76, and Guthrie took third with 53.

Albany and Moran Independent School Districts have both scheduled a student holiday for tomorrow, Feb. 1, so that students can attend the Shackelford County Youth and Livestock Show without an absence counting against their attendance record. 

Teachers in Albany can choose to work or take a “comp day.”

Tomorrow is also a designated “comp day” for MISD staff members.

Schools in both districts resume classes at the normal times on Monday, Feb. 4.

Baley Green has been named to the Dean’s List at Hardin-Simmons University for the Fall 2018 semester.

To be eligible for the HSU Dean’s List, full-time undergraduate students must maintain a 3.75 to 3.99 grade point average on a 4.0 scale.

Green, a 2018 graduate of Albany High School, is the daughter of Jessi Bryan and Jake Green, both of Albany.

Bethel Assembly has scheduled a women’s retreat at Texas Star Ranch Retreat in Weatherford on Feb. 15 and 16, and registrations are still being accepted.

“Anyone from Albany is welcome, they don’t have to go to Bethel,” said organizer Betsy Spraberry. “The Live Simple women’s retreat will include great content, time to refresh and relax, meals you don’t have to cook or plan, and fellowship!”

The registration fee of $50 includes dinner on Friday, two meals on Saturday, and overnight lodging. 

An optional t-shirt is available for $20.

Longtime Albany ISD board president Betsy Parsons and veteran trustee Pam Davis both announced at Monday night’s regular school board meeting that they do not plan to run for reelection.

They are the senior members of the group, with Parsons finishing her 30th year and Davis her 21st. Parsons has served as president for two decades.

“This decision is made after a lot of prayer,” said Parsons. “I still have a vested interest in this district and stepping down doesn’t mean I’m not going to be here. I just believe it’s time for a change.”

Newly elected county judge Robert Skelton accepted the 2019 Texas Courthouse Stewardship Award from representatives of the Texas Historical Commission (THC) at the 2019 Real Places Heritage Tourism and Historic Preservation conference in Austin last Friday on behalf of Shackelford County.

Sharon Fleming, the director of the THC Courthouse Preservation Program, and Leslie Midgley, executive vice president and CEO of Texas Land Title Association, which sponsored the award, presented Skelton with Shackelford County’s award plaque and $1,000 check.

Veteran Fandangle performer and supporter Lanham Martin was recently elected as president of the Fort Griffin Fandangle board of directors and is already working to increase involvement both on the stage and in the stands.

Martin was one of several officers elected at a regular board meeting earlier this month.

Cody Leech is serving as vice president, Cori Bezner as treasurer, and Lauren Willen as secretary.

After an Albany fugitive was spotted in the community several times over the weekend, Shackelford County law enforcement put a notice on social media Monday to try and apprehend him.

Andrew (Andy) Haw-kins has been “on the run” since a warrant was issued for his arrest in July 2018, according to Shackelford County sheriff Ed Miller.

Charges were reportedly filed on Hawkins in May 2018 in an Albany Police Department case, and he was formally indicted by a grand jury in August, said Miller.

Lereatha Clay, chair of the Friends of the Texas Historical Commission Board of Trustees, presented the 2019 Friends Alliance Award for Stewardship to the local nonprofit Friends of Fort Griffin State Historic Site at the 2019 Real Places Heritage Tourism & Historic Preservation Conference Opening Reception in Austin on Wednesday, Jan. 16.

The first week of the month long filing period for local board elections ended yesterday, and a total of five candidates have already filed for spots on the May 4 ballot. 

There is not a fee to run for the local offices, but prospective candidates must file by 5:00 p.m. on Feb. 15 to have their names listed on the ballot.

Albany City Council

Joe Tidwell and Carolyn Waller hold the two at large city council seats that are up for election in 2019. The office of mayor, currently held by Rodney Alexander, will also be up for vote this election cycle.