By Donnie A. Lucas

Tickets have sold out for the Friends of Fort Griffin Gala on Oct. 9 featuring Larry, Steve, & Rudy: The Gatlin Brothers, but anyone interested in attending can be placed on a waiting list.

According to event coordinator Susan Waller, the last of the 300 tickets were sold on Monday, so she is opening a waiting list in case tickets become available again.

A total of 300 tickets were sold for $50 each for the event which serves as the main fundraiser for the non-profit.

By Melinda L. Lucas

After a combination of working through line items and meeting in closed sessions about salaries for close to three hours in a special session on Monday night, members of the Shackelford County Hospital District’s board of directors ended up with a proposed budget of $2,803,020 based on the “no-new-revenue” (NNR) rate of 20.67 cents. Last year’s proposed budget was $2,913,280.

The proposed tax rate, which is a little higher than last year’s 20.05-cent rate, is expected to generate about $1,134,300.

By Sam Waller

The Old Jail Art Center will open new exhibits featuring Bill Wittliff’s “Swallowed Light” and Bruce Lee Webb’s “Hootenanny” with a dinner and reception on Saturday, Sept. 11.

“It’s a great way to kick off the fall,” said Susan Montgomery, OJAC’s development and membership coordinator. “It will be a really fun evening.”

The works, along with pieces from the center’s permanent collection, are being displayed as part of a program of a regular rotation of what is exhibited at the museum, Montgomery explained.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Albany ISD trustees passed a budget for the 2021-2022 school year during a special early morning session on Tuesday, Aug. 31, meeting the required state deadline.

Total expenditures are projected at $6,113,680, while revenues are listed at $6,323,932.

This is the first time in six years that the district has not dipped into its fund balance, at least on paper, with projected revenues expected to exceed expenses.

By Donnie A. Lucas

With the number of positive COVID-19 cases steadily growing over the past two weeks, local health care and school officials are paying close attention to the numbers.

A total of 103 tests were administered last week by the two local health care clinics, with a total of 28 positive cases recorded, according to an update released Tuesday morning by Shackelford County judge Robert Skelton.

Further, the Shackelford County Health Clinic administered 27 additional tests on Monday and Tuesday this week, with 10 more positive results.

By Sam Waller

The registration deadline for the Albany Chamber of Commerce community garage sale is drawing nearer with potential participants encouraged to sign up if they haven’t already done so.

“We need everybody to get registered by Wednesday, Sept. 8, to get on the map for the garage sale,” Chamber manager Mary Beth Jones said.

The city-wide garage sale is scheduled for Sept. 11. Registration fee is $10 and covers inclusion on the map of participants and a sign. Signs will be ready for participants to pick up Tuesday through Thursday, Sept. 7-9.

By Donnie A. Lucas

An estimated 1,200 people attended the third annual ­CareFest on Saturday, benefitting the ResourceCare centers in six area communities.

The event featured nine individuals and groups including Roger Creager, Stoney Larue, and Giovannie and the Hired Guns.

According to one of the event organizers, Ragan Riley, the event turned out well. A tally of the funds raised were not available at press time.

By Sam Waller

The Moran Independent School District began classes Monday with 114 students enrolled from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade.

“It was great,” Moran ISD superintendent Dr. John Denson said. “Everything ran to plan. The kids all seemed glad to be here, and the teachers were, too.”

Denson said the district’s enrollment was holding steady compared to recent years.

“The senior class is the lightest,” he said.

The pre-K and kindergarten programs have a total of 16 students with eight in each group.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Even amid the lingering COVID-19 pandemic and concerns about the effect of Winter Storm Uri, hunters are still gearing up for the fall hunting season, which is happening “no matter what.” 

Opening day of dove hunting in Texas is Wednesday, Sept. 1, and hunters across the Lone Star State, including those in the Albany area, will have a 90-day hunting season and 15-bird daily bag limits.

By Sam Waller

Season tickets for Albany Lions football games are on sale for the 2021 season.

The Lions have five home games scheduled at Robert Nail Memorial Stadium, starting Sept. 17 against Haskell.

That will be the first of three consecutive home dates, followed by Anson on Sept. 24 and the homecoming game against Olney on Oct. 1.

District 8-2A home games are Oct. 15 against Hico and Oct. 29 against Santo.

Single-game tickets are $6 for adults and $4 for students. Season tickets are $30 for adults and $20 for students.