By Melinda L. Lucas

Friends of the Old Jail Art Center will finally get to celebrate the museum’s 40th anniversary this Saturday with a long-awaited party under the big tent.

The OJAC’s Ruby Jubilee was originally scheduled in the spring of 2020 but the pandemic forced a two-year wait for patrons of Albany’s “Jewel of the Prairie.”

Betsy Senter, who is chairing the celebration’s planning committee, promised “fun raffles, a signature drink called a red slipper, and dueling pianos for entertainment.”

By Donnie A. Lucas

Just over 100 county voters showed up in person last week to vote early in the upcoming Texas primary elections, which is about 100 fewer than two years ago during the 2020 primaries.

Election Day is next Tuesday, March 1, but voters from all precincts can still vote early at the Shackelford County Courthouse in either the Democratic or Republican  primaries through this Friday, Feb. 25.

Tyler Beard

Tyler Beard, son of Chris and Susie Beard of Albany, was named to the President’s List at Tarleton State University with a 4.0 GPA for the fall 2021 term.

The President’s List is one of the highest honors Tarleton confers on full-time students.

Jaleigh Morales

Jaleigh Morales of Albany was named to the Fall 2021 Dean’s List of McMurry University. She is majoring in biomedical science.

A 2020 graduate of Albany High School, she is the daughter of Melissa and Edward Morales.

The Callahan-Shackelford County Farm Bureau has begun the new year with several new members on its board of directors.

When directors retire or move from the county during their terms on the board, new directors are appointed to fill the vacancy until the term expires.

During 2021, the positions held by H.T. Gleason and Shane Lee of Callahan County and Rocky Vinson of Shackelford County were filled respectively by Rustin Williams, Clay Smith, and Ace Reames.

Every year, wildfires burn across Texas, and a growing number of people are living where wildfires are a real risk. It is a peril that impacts all parts of the state and can occur throughout the year. Despite billions of dollars to support wildfires suppression efforts, the number of homes lost in wildfires continues to increase.

Currently, 110 counties in Texas are experiencing a burn ban. Dry vegetation, low humidity, and windy warm weather trends are all making what experts call a dangerous wildfire environment this winter.

By Sam Waller

Moran ISD superintendent Dr. John Denson attended a meeting of the Region 14 Education Service West Texas Tech Co-op on Wednesday, Feb. 9, to discuss ways to improve internet availability for students.

“A lot of rural schools have trouble getting internet because of their location,” Denson said.

The consortium consists of 55 members comprising school districts, colleges and universities, libraries, museums, hospitals, and city and government agencies in the West Central Texas area.

By Sam Waller

Nancy Smith Elementary School counselor Susie Beard has been named Counselor of the Year by the Region 14 Education Service Center.

Beard, in her third year as NSES counselor, has been employed by the Albany ISD for 23 years and involved in education for 31 years. In addition to teaching at Albany Junior/Senior High School, she has also held faculty positions at Clyde and Moran.

Beard, who is married to Albany agriculture teacher Chris Beard, said the honor came as a complete surprise.

By Sam Waller

The Fort Griffin Fandangle Association has begun preparations for another season with the start of its membership drive, with letters mailed last week.

Memberships are available at seven levels ranging from Pioneer at $25 to platinum at $5,000. The Pioneer membership is open only to those age 65 and up.

Memberships may be purchased online at www.fortgriffinfandangle.org or by calling the Fandangle office at 325-762-3838.

By Melinda L. Lucas

A couple of local organizations got some much-needed funding recently as the result of a county ranch owner’s generosity.

The Shackelford County 4-H program and the Albany High School FFA chapter each received $5,000 from the Clear Fork Ranch in the Lueders area, formerly known as the Hendrick Ranch.

Ranch manager Cody Fry presented checks to county extension agent Kelsey Bell and FFA sponsor Chris Beard several weeks ago, noting that the ranch owners want to promote youth agriculture programs.

By Sam Waller

Area churches are participating in the Open Door Pregnancy and Family Resource Center current fundraiser.

Baby Bottle Boomerang is an annual fundraiser during which baby bottles are distributed to area residents to be filled with coins, bills, or checks which will be donated to the Open Door. The program concludes on Sunday, Feb. 20.

Breckenridge Open Door center director Marlina Cowan said churches in Albany, Breckenridge, and Cisco are participating in this year’s fundraiser.