By Sam Waller

The Albany Volunteer Fire Department will hold its second annual Burgers and Birds fundraiser from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 2 at the fire station on Railroad Street.

There is no set price, but donations will be accepted with a suggested price of $10. Meals include fresh-cooked burgers, chips, a drink, and a cookie.

Chief Joel Viertel said funds will go toward helping cover expenses incurred by the department.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Pick-up dates for the September distribution of the commodity food program will be Thursday, Aug. 31 and Friday, Sept. 1.

On Thursday, Aug. 31, certified eligible families in Moran should pick up their monthly commodity food at the Moran City Hall between 9:00 and 11:00 a.m.

Certified eligible Albany families for the September food distribution program can pick up their commodity food on Friday Sept. 1 at the back door of the Justice of the Peace office from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m.

By Sam Waller

In a little over a week, the 37th annual First Impressions Invitational Pig Sale will offer approximately 125 to 140 animals to be auctioned to FFA and 4-H members for  agriculture projects.

The longest-running livestock sale in the U.S., which benefits Shackelford County youth who participate in the county stock show, is scheduled for Saturday-Sunday, Sept. 9-10.

At 1:00 p.m. Friday, Sept. 8, a ribbon cutting will be held to reopen the renovated show barn.

By Sam Waller

Shackelford County 4-H gets started on the new year with a kickoff party Monday, Sept. 4.

The event is scheduled for 5:00-7:00 p.m. at Webb Park.

Pizza and drinks will be provided along with a variety of activities for the whole family.

“There’s no need to bring anything; just come and bring the whole family,” Shackelford County extension agent Kelsey Bell said. “We’ll have a water slide for the kids. Parents can ask me questions, several of our adult volunteers will be there, and everyone can find out what they need to know about 4-H.”

By Sam Waller

Local residents still have nearly a week to register for the Albany Chamber of Commerce’s community-wide garage sale, but Chamber manager Brandi Lehew encouraged anyone planning to participate not to wait until the last minute to sign up.

Lehew said she’s had as many or more people indicate they will register as have already done so.

“We’re short of what we were at the end last year,”she said, “but I’ve had enough people say they need to get in here that I think we’ll be about the same as last year.”

By Donnie A. Lucas

Members of the community are again being sought to serve as mentors to local students at Nancy Smith Elementary School during the new school year.

The goal of the program is to increase confidence and self-esteem, along with helping students make positive choices through one-on-one support, friendship and fun, according to school officials.

Tuba players (l-r) Lathin Brownlee, Marcus Valfre, and Joe Angel Alcaraz help get the crowd going during a close Lion season opener against Lubbock Trinity Christian last Friday. The award winning Ragin’ Red Band will make its marching debut at this week’s home game against Dublin, performing a portion of the 2023 contest show.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Albany ISD students and staff get a day off for the first holiday of the 2023-2024 school year on Monday, Sept. 4 in observance of Labor Day.

Classes will resume as scheduled on Tuesday, Sept. 5 at the normal time of 7:55 a.m. for Nancy Smith Elementary and 8:00 a.m. at Albany Junior/Senior High School.

Classes started at both campuses on Aug. 17, with the end of the first six-week grading period ending on Friday, Sept. 29.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Directors of the Shackelford County Appraisal District (SCAD) have set a public hearing for the proposed 2024 budget on Thursday, Sept. 14 at 7:30 a.m.

Following the hearing, the board of directors is expected to adopt the 2024 budget for next year, which tallies $468,469 in expenditures. The proposed budget represents an overall increase of about nine percent increase over the budgeted expenses of $442,744 for 2023.

The public is invited to attend the hearing and the meeting to adopt the measure that will follow.

The Albany Chest board will meet at 5:15 p.m. Sept. 13 to organize the 2023 fund-raising campaign, nominate and elect new directors, and choose officers for the upcoming year.

Application forms are available at First Financial Bank, First National Bank, and The Albany News.