The annual Albany Chest campaign is off and running, with directors setting a 2018 goal of $42,000. 

A record 26 different organizations, including two new applicants, submitted requests for this year’s funding, all of which were considered by the board during a meeting held on Oct. 3. 

A little over one year since fencing and the first scaffolding went up, a certificate of substantial completion was signed by county judge Ross Montgomery for a $1.37 million repair project at the Shackelford County Courthouse.

The fencing came down last week and all roof and bell tower construction has been finished, with a public reception planned next month by county officials to show off the repairs.

A hamburger fundraiser hosted by members of the Albany Volunteer Fire Department is set for this Sunday, Oct. 14 to benefit longtime fire chief Kyle Tischler.

The meal will be held at the city fire station from 12:00 noon to 2:00 p.m. on Sunday.

Tischler has had major back surgery recently, according to fellow VFD member Joel Viertel, and has used up all his vacation time, with the prospect of being off work for at least two more months.

Members of the Albany Mainstreet Playhouse will host a high school reunion themed murder mystery dinner in the reception room and patio (weather permitting) of the Aztec Theater at 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 16 and Oct. 18.

“Come wearing your school memorabilia,” AMP representative Lorna Ayers said. “Wear your letter jackets, cheerleading uniform, or something from the corresponding time period. We know you can still fit into them!”

It seems as if the very possibility of a fleet of freshly washed and polished classic trucks parked side by side for a truck show in Albany in the fall of the year is enough to inspire clouds to gather, and the third annual Shifters Car Club Truck Show, currently scheduled for the rain-out day on Saturday, Oct. 13, may be rained out a second time.

“We will wait until it gets closer to Saturday to make the call on whether to have the show, or call it due to weather,” said organizer Robert Snyder. “Check the Shifters Car Club Facebook page for information.”

About 25,000 tax statements will be mailed in the next couple of weeks, as local property owners find out what they will owe in taxes for this year.

Assistant appraiser Clayton Snyder at the Shackelford County Appraisal District (CAD) office stated that tax rates for all eight county taxing entities are being entered and calculations are scheduled to be finished by the end of September.

Eleven upperclassmen from Moran High School traveled to Cisco Tuesday, Oct. 2, to attend a college fair held at the Myrtle Wilks Community Center.

Participants included Jonas Cadena, K.J. Henderson, Emma Hensley, Andrew Farner, Kobee Lapp, Raygan Mendez, November Meredith, Khloe New, Summer Pederson, Curry Pendleton, and Harley Schafer.

The first six weeks grading period at Moran ISD ended on Friday, Sept. 28.

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The annual membership meeting of the Fort Griffin Fandangle Assocation is scheduled to be held at the Albany Visitors Center on Monday, Oct. 15 at 5:30 p.m.

Reports about the 2018 outdoor show and a motion to hold the Fandangle in 2019 are expected.

Directors who terms are up for election this year are John Ayers, Shelly Bartee, and Paul Ivy.

Terms of directors Treca Edington and Steve Waller, who were re-elected in 2016, will expire next year.

Pick-up dates for the October distribution of the commodity food program are Oct. 4 and Oct. 5, and recipients must pick up their October bags this week in order to be given a special holiday bag next month.

Eligible families in Moran should pick up their food Thursday, Oct. 4 at the Moran City Hall between 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon.

Albany families can pick up their commodity food Friday, Oct. 5, at the rear door of the JP office from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. 

At least one Albany resident has been approached recently by phone scammers, and he is warning other local residents to be on the alert.

Sam Burge said that he and his wife Dimple received a call a couple of weeks ago informing them that their grandson had been arrested and needed money for legal fees. They were asked for credit card information.

“They had a lot of personal information about both us and our grandson,” said Burge. “They knew his name, our names, that he was a Marine, and where he is stationed.”