By Donnie A. LucasThe number of positive COVID-19 cases tested locally dropped to five last week out of the 15 tests administered.The decrease in the number of tests was possibly impacted by local clinics being closed due to weather for two of the five days.

By Donnie A. LucasThe Fort Griffin Fandangle Association has raised about half the funds needed for major repairs at the Prairie Theater, as well as improving sets, costumes, and the calliope, through a capital improvement drive that started in December.

By Donnie A. LucasTwo Albany residents will be honored tonight at the biennial Albany Stars event set to start at 6:30 p.m. at the Aztec Theater.There is no charge to attend the event, which will include hors d’oeurvres and water in the meeting room and on the patio after the awards are presented.

By Melinda L. LucasCourthouse cleaning options during the ongoing medical leave for county employee Sherry Garvin was the main focus of Monday’s meeting of the Shackelford County elected officials, but no action was taken and a special meeting set March 7 to continue looking at solutions.

By Melinda L. LucasAlbany ISD students and staff will make up a deficit in classroom minutes by eliminating three early release days at the end of the spring semester, according to an announcement by AISD superintendent Jonathan Scott on Monday.

By Melinda L. LucasBy the end of Tuesday’s primaries, about 24 percent of Shackelford County’s 2,261 registered voters elected a new county judge to take over next January, and followed most statewide trends in other elections.John M.

By Sam WallerTwo Moran meat judging teams scored well in contests over the weekend at major livestock shows.Moran teams placed 25th and 35th out of 43 teams on Saturday, Feb. 19, at San Angelo. On Sunday, Feb. 20, the teams finished 33rd and 41st out of 77 teams in San Antonio.

By Sam WallerColter Edgar placed second in his division with a barrow as Albany FFA and 4-H members completed participation in the San Angelo Livestock Show and Rodeo.Five Albany students exhibited barrows in the swine show, which wrapped up Thursday, Feb. 17.

By Sam WallerFort Griffin Fandangle Association members are responding quickly to letters that they received a couple of weeks ago, purchasing memberships at seven different levels ranging from Pioneer at $25 to platinum at $5,000. The Pioneer membership is open only to those age 65 and up.

By Sam WallerRegistration deadline for Albany Little League is Friday, Feb. 25.Registration is being conducted online at www.albanytxll.com.Tryouts for new players age 8-12 will be held at 3:00 p.m. Saturday, March 5, at the Little League complex on Griffin Road.