The deadline to file for local board seats to be decided May 4 is fast approaching, and five candidates filed their paperwork during the last week.

Despite cold and rainy weather since the January start date, city manager Billy Holson reported at Monday’s regular council meeting that water system installation at the newly annexed Clarke Estates development is moving along ahead of schedule. Also approved during the Feb.

Valentine’s Day will soon be history, but local patrons at the Old Jail Art Center still have time to celebrate their love for art this February with four events designed especially for them.

Shackelford County commissioners had a lengthy discussion during a Feb. 11 regular session about whether to pursue a contract to use Walker Sayle Unit clients to perform local projects, but eventually decided to table the issue.

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Texas’ Shackelford and Stephens Counties along with the Lower Clear Fork of the Brazos Soil and Water Conservation District cordially invite the public to attend their FY 2020 Local Working Group (LWG) meeting Feb. 21, at 1:00 p.m.

Family trout-fishing day returns to Fort Griffin State Historic Site from 10:00 a.m to 2:00 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 16, with the park’s pond stocked with rainbow trout.  “This is the third and final trout-stocking for the winter,” said Mitch Baird, Fort Griffin’s site manager.

Multiple Shackelford County emergency units responded after 19-year-old Jordan Carley lost control of her 2002 Chevrolet pickup around 1:35 p.m. Monday in rainy conditions and ended up in the middle of a stock tank off Hwy. 180 a few miles east of Albany.

Albany Independent School District has scheduled a student holiday for Monday, Feb. 18, in honor of Presidents Day.  Schools at both Albany campuses will release at the normal times on Friday, Feb. 15, and will resume classes at the normal times on Tuesday, Feb.

The outside of the new Scout Hut is basically complete, and currently work is focused on the inside of the structure, according to Ricky Lucas, who is doing most of the construction. “The patio area is still in process, and we are considering putting up a fence on one side,” Lucas said.

Andy Haw-kins, who has been “on the run” since a warrant was issued for his arrest in July 2018, was apprehended Saturday in Moran, according to Shackelford County sheriff Ed Miller. Chief deputy Johnny Freeman begun pursuit after Hawkins was spotted in Moran, and DPS trooper Chad Overton assisted.