With rain expected to continue through the end of the week and possibly re-enter the picture again as soon as next Wednesday, the Albany area is already far above the October rainfall average of 2.99”, with 7.28” recorded as of press time on Wednesday morning.

The year-to-date total is 29.44 with more than two months to go, compared with an annual average of 28.36”.

In Albany, there has been 12.60” of rainfall since Sept. 1, while unofficial reports from other parts of the county are as high as 18” for the same period.

Early voting for the Nov. 6 general election starts next Monday, Oct. 22, and continues through Nov. 2.

Early in-person voting will be held on the first floor of the Shackelford County Courthouse Monday through Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon and 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., according to election clerk Cheri Hawkins. 

Two directors were re-elected to another term, three new board members put in place, and plans made for the 2019 show during the annual membership meeting of the Fort Griffin Fandangle Association held Monday night, Oct. 15.

A new part-time marketing director was also named during the meeting.

Meeting Details

Longtime director Winifred Waller, now retired, made the traditional motion by proxy to perform a show in 2019, which will be the 81st anniversary for the outdoor musical.

Albany ISD trustees continue to work their way through the list of applicants for the post of AISD superintendent with another special meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 10 and a closed session at the end of the regular business meeting on Monday, Oct. 15.

No action or discussion about the candidates has been held in open forum, but the board is starting the interview process this week and is expected to announce a lone finalist by the end of November.

The annual Albany Chest campaign is underway, with directors setting a goal of $42,000 for the 2018 campaign. 

Twenty-six different organizations, including two new applicants, submitted requests for this year’s funding, all of which were considered by the board.

Local residents are reminded that everyone is not expected to give large amounts. 

Albany residents will soon be seeing red as the annual Red Ribbon anti-drug campaign kicks off next Monday morning.

The annual “Red Ribbon Campaign” has been officially set for Oct. 22-26 at the Albany school district. 

This is the 30th straight year that the event, which is designed to draw as much attention as possible to the problems of drug and alcohol abuse and its prevention, has been conducted locally. 

The national theme for 2018 is “Life Is Your Journey, Travel Drug Free.” 

Members of the Albany Volunteer Fire Department will help educate local school children about fire safety this Friday, Oct. 19.

Local firemen will make a presentation at the Albany elementary campus on Friday morning at 9:00 a.m. to speak with the kindergarten through sixth graders, according to fire chief Kyle Tischler. 

A presentation for the Headstart and pre-K kids will also take place, but was not yet scheduled as of press time.

Ember, the chief’s fire dog, is expected to be on hand to greet the students.

Closet Angels, a local clothing ministry, is run by volunteers, and once again director Lori Reames has adjusted the hours that the ministry will be open to the public in order to try and best accommodate both shoppers and the work staff.

The facility will now close at 3:00 p.m. on Wednesdays. Shopping times on Monday evenings are being added.

The Albany News’ 13th annual holiday recipe section will be published in just a little less than a month, with favorite recipes being solicited from all ages of current and former Albany and Moran chefs and bakers.

“We’ve had really good response since we started publishing the recipe guides, and we’re looking forward to getting this one underway,” said News editor Melinda Lucas. 

A variety of recipes, from appetizers and beverages to desserts are being requested.

Members of Shifters Car Club checked calendars and the weather forecast, and made the decision to cancel their annual Truck Show this year.

“By the time we could work it in, it would be so late in the year that we decided to cancel it,” said organizer Robert Snyder. “We’ll try to do it again next year, but we may have to move the date.” 

The truck show was rained out twice this year, both on the originally planned date of Saturday, Sept. 22, and on the scheduled rain-out day on Saturday, Oct. 13.