Albany city council members worked through several significant agenda items during a meeting on Friday morning, Aug. 17, including proposing a tax rate and setting dates for two required public hearings.

The session had been postponed from its regular time on the second Monday of the month so that more council members could be present.

The elected officials also approved an annexation agreement with Clarke Estate Development.

Low Water Crossing

Proposed budget totals for the Shackelford County Hospital District for 2019 increased about $150,000 more than the current year’s original budget, but that is primarily due to the addition of a new ambulance.

The hospital board worked on budgets for both the district and the clinic at a regular meeting on Monday, Aug. 20, proposing expenditures of $2,972,476 based on the effective tax rate of 20.97 cents, which was also proposed during the evening.

Atmos Energy Mid-Tex Division currently lists half a dozen projects in various stages of completion in Albany, and anyone that has driven around the Kenshalo, Pate, Gregg, Jacobs, and Williams Street areas has probably noticed the crews at work, or at least the construction signs, trucks, trenches, and dirt mounds that are on display during the process.

According to city manager Billy Holson, Atmos is replacing all of their steel gas lines with poly lines.

For the most part, the projects do not involve City of Albany workers.

Local students have several Christian peer groups they can chose between for Bible study, fellowship, and fun during the upcoming school year.

The Feed Store

Tuesday, Aug. 20, The Feed Store served a noon time meal to high school junior and seniors, and they plan to serve lunch every Tuesday throughout the school year with the help of volunteer cooks. 

Board members of the Albany Chest will meet to organize the 2018 fundraising drive, nominate and elect new directors, and elect officers for the coming year during a 5:00 p.m. meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 5 at The Feed Store.

According to board secretary Tisha Wilkins, four of the current directors will be completing their current term, and positions held by Mindy Skelton, Sara Wilson, Wilkins, and Amy Kelly will be up for election this year. Wilson was elected in 2017 to complete the unexpired term that ends this year, replacing Grant Zeller after he moved out of town. 

The Alamo will be shown at the Aztec Theater this Saturday, Aug. 25, and as a special treat the Aztec board has waved the price of admission and has invited two special guests to the showing of the historic war film that was directed, produced, and starred in by John Wayne.

The theater will open at 6:00 p.m. and free water and popcorn will be available.

The guest of honor will be Stephens County resident Dean Smith, who was a stunt man in the movie, and also played a small role. 

Only a limited number of spots are still available in the Albany Golf Club’s annual Labor Day tournament on, Saturday, Sept. 1 and Sunday, Sept. 2 at the local course. 

“Sign-ups are going really well, and we only have three spots that are still available for the 8:30 a.m. tee time on Saturday morning, and three spots left for 1:30 p.m. on Saturday afternoon,” said organizer James Waters. 

Beverly Rogers, captain of Team Albany, has joined other Big Country residents in the fight to end Alzheimer’s by signing up to participate in the 2018 annual Walk to End Alzheimer’s sponsored by the Alzheimer’s Association. 

The Walk in Abilene will take place on Saturday, Sept. 15 at Rose Park. 

Albany women who think that they might be pregnant will soon have another option for free pregnancy conformation, counseling, and referrals thanks to the Open Door Pregnancy and Family Resource Center’s new mobile unit.

“The Open Door mobile unit will travel fully-equipped to provide free pregnancy tests, limited free OB ultrasounds, options counseling, and referrals,” said mobile manager Margaret McKinney. “We plan to serve Albany twice a month.”

The Moran Lady Bulldogs took to the court in Aspermont on Tuesday, Aug. 21 at 5:00 p.m. Scores were not available at press time.

The varsity volleyball team lost a game in Vernon to Northside on Aug. 14, in three sets (10-25,19-25, 14-25).

The Lady Bulldogs were at the Gorman Spikefest Tournament on Wednesday, Aug. 16, and lost a 4:00 p.m. match to the host team in two sets (11-25, 13-25). Results from the rematch on Aug. 18 were not available at press time.

Dakota Fowler is the girls head coach.

Football