By Sam WallerFriendship Baptist Church and the Albany Ministerial Alliance are continuing to accept donations for disaster relief in Eastland and Jack counties.

By Melinda L.

By Melinda L. LucasAll third through 12th grade students attending public schools in Texas take the State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness (STARR) and End of Course (EOC) tests in the spring.

By Donnie A. LucasGrandparents Week at Nancy Smith Elementary is set for next week, April 4-8, according to principal John Gallagher.The Parent-Teachers Organization will host the annual Book Fair in the cafeteria on the same days.

By Donnie A. LucasThe Albany High School band earned a pair of Division I ratings at the UIL Region 2 East Zone Concert and Sight Reading contest in  Abilene Tuesday, also picking up the first-ever Program Sweepstakes for the group.

By Donnie A. LucasWith the Sampler of this year’s Ft. Griffin Fandangle just over two weeks away, cast and crew members are urged to attend the remaining rehearsals to prepare for the show, which is being held for the first time in 25 years at Reynolds Bend on the Matthews Ranch.

By Melinda L. LucasAlbany city council members unanimously approved the proposed budget of $3,475,400 following the required public hearing at a special session on Monday, March 28.The city’s new fiscal year starts April 1.There was no one from the public present to discuss the figures.

By Sam WallerThe Landreth Dam bridge reopened to traffic on Saturday, March 26, following the completion of permanent repairs to the historic structure.Traffic in the eastern part of Shackelford County had been disrupted since late November after an excavator struck the crossbeams of each portal.

By Melinda L. LucasAbout a dozen citizens attended an advertised public hearing Monday morning regarding proposed subdivision regulations for the unincorporated portions of Shackelford County.

By Melinda L. LucasDuring the first five minutes of a special called Sunday even­ing meeting of the Shackelford County Hospital District’s board of directors, Albany native Brandi Green was selected as the district’s new administrator.