By Donnie A. Lucas

With about two weeks remaining in the filing period for local May 7 elections, a few incumbents have signed up for another term but no challengers have signed up yet.

Board member posts and council positions are subject to election by the public for both Albany and Moran school boards and city councils, along with the Shackelford County Hospital District and the Fort Griffin SUD.

Candidates have until Friday, Feb. 18 to have their names placed on the ballots for any of the local elections.

Albany School Board

By Donnie A. Lucas

With about two weeks remaining in the filing period for local May 7 elections, a few incumbents have signed up for another term but no challengers have signed up yet.

Board member posts and council positions are subject to election by the public for both Albany and Moran school boards and city councils, along with the Shackelford County Hospital District and the Fort Griffin SUD.

Candidates have until Friday, Feb. 18 to have their names placed on the ballots for any of the local elections.

Albany School Board

The City of Albany will test the emergency warning siren at 12:00 noon next Wednesday, Feb. 9, as it does the second Wednesday of every month, depending on the weather.

The tests keep citizens familiar with the three warning sounds, and they are also used to make sure that the siren, computer, software, and radios are working correctly.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Regular pick-up dates for the February distribution of the commodity food program were Thursday, Feb. 3 and Friday, Feb. 4.

However, in anticipation of bad weather, Moran families received their food a day early on Wednesday.

Shackelford County Justice of the Peace James Breeden, who coordinates the program, said Tuesday that the weather is still bad on Friday and his office is closed, Albany families can pick up on Monday, Feb. 7 instead, from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. at the JP office.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Normally held the first Friday in February, the annual meeting of the Albany Chamber of Commerce membership is being postponed until the following Friday, Feb. 11.

Chamber manager Mary Beth Jones announced late Tuesday afternoon that concerns about the winter storm and safe travel had prompted officers to make the decision to delay the board election by one week.

Instead of this Friday, the meeting will start after the noon luncheon on Friday, Feb. 11 at the Beehive Restaurant to elect two board members.

By Donnie A. Lucas

With the number of new cases dropping to less than half of those recorded the prior week, the peak of the latest ­COVID-19 surge appears to be in the past.

The number of positive test results decreased significantly during the week of Jan. 24-28 to 29 positive cases based on tests administered at the three local testing sites.

A total of 57 tests were given for the week of Jan. 24-28, according to the weekly report issued by county judge Bob Skelton.

By Melinda L. Lucas

If this week’s winter storm weather lets up in time, the staff at the Old Jail Art Center will welcome families into the Stasney Center on Saturday, Feb. 5 for a three-hour celebration of the Lunar New Year.

Starting at 12:00 noon, weather permitting, participants can enjoy traditional food, art, and games observing the Year of the Tiger, according to OJAC education director Erin Whitmore.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Tickets are still on sale for the Chris Knight concert set for Saturday, Feb. 5 at the Aztec Theater, and they will probably be available at the door, according to organizers.

The performance is sponsored by Albany Live, a nonprofit organized last year to bring live musical events to Albany. Knight’s show is the second in an ongoing singer/songwriter series that will continue monthly through July.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Even though it looked as if the Albany Chest would fall short of its 2021 goal, donations poured in at the end of the year, surpassing the goal of $46,000 and closing out at $50,751.

Chest board members met Wednesday, Jan. 26 and decided to distribute all that amount plus a little out of the reserves, allocating $51,050.

The Chest still has a total of $2,556 in emergency funds for needs throughout the year.

Board president Jana Kitchens said the directors were pleasantly surprised at the last minute donations.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Pick-up dates for the February distribution of the commodity food program will be Thursday, Feb. 3 and Friday, Feb. 4.

Eligible families in Moran should pick up their monthly commodity food at the Moran City Hall between 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 3.

Albany families can pick up on Friday, Feb. 4, from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. at the rear door of the JP office.

Families are reminded to complete a 2022 application to apply for the 2022 program when they pick up their food.