USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) is currently accepting applications for certain practices under the continuous Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) signup and will offer extensions for expiring CRP contracts. The 2018 Farm Bill reauthorized CRP, one of the country’s largest conservation programs.
By Kathy Thomson
The final two performances of the 2019 Fort Griffin Fandangle will take place this weekend, wrapping up the 81st anniversary edition of the show.
Good seats are still available for both of the final two shows, including a very limited number of box seats as of Monday evening.
First Week Review
The first weekend of the show went well, according to board president Lanham Martin.
“It went smooth, especially on Saturday,” said Martin. “Everyone was where they were supposed to be, and there weren’t any glitches.”
By Nolan Davis
Hundreds of spectators lined the streets of downtown Albany Saturday afternoon to watch the horses, wagons, floats, antique vehicles, and longhorns take over Main Street for the 2019 Fort Griffin Fandangle Parade.
With temperatures a little cooler than the typical mid-June triple digits, both participants and spectators seemed to enjoy the event, even though it was a little shorter than usual.
Early deadlines have been set for the next two issues of The Albany News.
All news items and advertising for next Thursday’s July 4 issue will be due at 12:00 noon on Monday, July 1 rather than the usual Tuesday noon before publication.
According to News editor Melinda Lucas, the deadline has been moved up because the paper needs to be taken to the post office on Wednesday in time to be posted before the postal staff leaves for the Fourth of July holiday.
By Kathy Thomson
The Old Jail Art Center is hosting a Family Festival “Round Up” this Saturday, and everyone is invited to attend the free event and to visit the other exhibits on display at the fine art museum.
Located one block east of the Courthouse, the local museum does not charge admission and is open to the public from 10:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Fandangle performance nights.
The Old Jail comprises 17,000 square feet and is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums.
By Kathy Thomson
Megan Harbin, the director of family outreach for Methodist Children’s Home in Abilene, will be giving a presentation this Sunday, June 30 during the 11:00 a.m. worship service at First United Methodist Church in Albany.
“There is a need for foster care for children in this area,” Harbin said. “Through MCH we help license foster families with the state so they can work with CPS, and we also have a private foster care option in which CPS is not involved.”
By Melinda L. Lucas
Summer reading at the Shackelford County Library will continue throughout the summer instead of ending this week as initially planned.
Members of the Albany Study Club decided to extend the program for local children with a weekly reading time and crafts, but the volunteers are changing the time to 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday afternoons.
Children from the ages of two to four (with an adult) and kindergarten to fourth grade are encouraged to attend.
By Melinda L. Lucas
Three Shackelford County employees with several decades of county experience were recognized at Monday’s regular commissioners meeting, with plans made for a retirement reception this week.
Gayala Askew, who has worked 29 years in the county tax-assessor’s and voter registration office, and Tempie Wiloth, who retired May 29 after 28 years with the sheriff’s department, were both given plaques by county judge Bob Skelton during the June 24 session.
By Kathy Thomson
The Albany Softball Association met Tuesday, June 18 at the county library to select board members and elect officers.
President Beth Roysdon and vice president Amy McDaniel were elected May 28. Remaining officers and board members were chosen last Tuesday.
Other officers include Brian Holson as treasurer/secretary, and Ricky Lucas as player representative. Teresa Purcell is in charge of the concession stand.
Other board members are Kevin Nowell, Jacey Shack, and Mike Bean.
By Nolan Davis
As the Fourth of July quickly approaches, Shackelford County residents are encouraged to take necessary safety precautions when celebrating and using fireworks.
“People need to pay close attention when they’re using fireworks during the holiday,” said Shackelford County Rural Fire Department chief Brad Henry. “Just be very careful.”
While the county is not under a burn ban or any special fireworks restrictions, people should still be cautious as fireworks can easily cause fires in grassy and wooded areas.
