By Melinda L. Lucas

The Old Jail Art Center’s spring exhibitions will open this weekend with a preview for members and guests on Saturday, Feb. 15.

The come-and-go event is set for 3:00-6:00 p.m. with curators and artist remarks at 4:30 p.m.

A Fine Line: Drawings and Funhouse are both curated from the OJAC’s permanent collection, with the first including about one-third of the museum’s 300 drawings. Funhouse celebrates the use of humor and levity in art.

Albany Live continues its concert series with a performance by Silverada at the Aztec Theater on Feb. 15, bringing a night of high-energy country music to Albany. Formerly known as Mike and the Moonpies, the Austin-based band has made a name for itself with a blend of traditional honky-tonk, rock & roll energy, and modern country storytelling.

By David H. Waller

A high-speed car chase that began east of Abilene on Interstate 20 came to a dramatic conclusion in Albany on Tuesday, leading to a multi-agency manhunt that ended with the suspect’s arrest near the water tower on One Mile Hill. Here is a detailed account of the events:

Chase Begins on I-20

By Melinda L. Lucas

Albany Mainstreet Playhouse’s first ever “Cabaret” was a big success last weekend, with only one night planned initially, then a second performance added when the first sold out quickly.

The event was held Friday and Saturday evenings at the Whitney Theatre.

“We had advertised for a maximum of 48 because it was a dinner and show with limited space, but we ended up with 56 on Friday and 48 on Saturday,” said Lorna Ayers, AMP director. “Both were very responsive crowds, and we couldn’t have been more pleased.”

By David H. Waller

The Albany Volunteer Fire Department is spearheading efforts to establish a fire guard and implement back-burn strategies to mitigate wildfire risks to the city. Fire Chief Joel Viertel outlined the plan, which includes creating a 30-foot-wide fire guard around the city limits and conducting back burns of 300 to 500 feet to combat potential fires fueled by high winds from the south and west.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Several new candidates for local offices have emerged during the past week, with the filing deadline now two weeks away on Feb. 14.

There is now at least one opposed race for the May 3 elections, with John Gallagher and Teagan Brown both running for Place 7, the seat being vacated by Kim Fuentes on the Albany ISD’s board of trustees.

By Melinda L. Lucas

After ordering the May 3 election and hearing some routine administrative reports, the Albany ISD board of trustees spent more than an hour going over an assessment of the AISD facilities, presented by J.D. Coffee of Teinert Construction.

The trustees are exploring the options of a bond issue, with the possibility of construction or extensive renovation of current facilities.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Shackelford County commissioners approved a big-ticket expenditure of $211,109 for IT upgrades and replacements during its regular meeting on Monday morning, Jan. 27.

The court also spent some time in closed session to review a presentation by local deputy Jason Price regarding the county’s “standard compensation and overtime compensation practices.”

Computer Equipment

By Sam Waller

Two Albany FFA members brought home blue ribbons from major stock shows last week.

Kenzie Neve placed first in her class with a steer and made the sale at the National Western Livestock Show in Denver, Colo., while Jake Hale received a first-place ribbon at the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo ag mechanics contest.

Neve showed her Maine-Anjou cross to the top spot in Class 9 Market Steers. The animal is one of eight Neve has fed this year. Two have been sold at shows, while four more are entered in upcoming major shows.

By Sam Waller

The 2025 Shackelford County Livestock Show is in the books, wrapping up just in time to beat a change in the weather.

The event, held Thursday-Saturday, Jan. 16-18, drew 128 participants from Albany FFA, Moran FFA and Shackelford County 4-H, down slightly from the past few years.