By Melinda L. Lucas

A decision of how to utilize a $25,000 school safety grant was the main focus of a meeting that also celebrated Board Appreciation Month for the trustees of the Albany ISD.

At the end of Monday night’s meeting, following the routine closed-session evaluation of AISD superintendent Jonathan Scott, a unanimous motion extended Scott’s contract by one more year to January 2023.

The board postponed any salary increase until later in the year, after there is a clearer idea of state school finances and local funding.

By Kathy Thomson

Local FFA and 4-H exhibitors are expected to weigh in a total of 164 goats, lambs, and pigs at the Shackelford County Youth Livestock Show barn Thursday afternoon (today).

Unlike previous years, rabbits and poultry will not weigh in until Friday afternoon and will not show until Saturday.

Also new this year is a formal showmanship presentation. Although showmanship winners will be announced at the end of each judging category, the showmanship buckles will not be presented until shortly before the auction on Saturday. 

By Kathy Thomson

The filing period for local board elections began last Wednesday, Jan. 15, and as of press time on Tuesday, a total of four candidates had turned in their paperwork for one of the various positions that will be decided on May 2.

Mayor pro temp Susan Montgomery has filed for Albany mayor.

Incumbents Ginny Ivy and Robert Montgomery have reapplied for their respective seats on the Albany school board.

Incumbent Janna Ledbetter has turned in her completed application for the Shackelford County hospital board.

By Melinda L. Lucas

The resignation of Shackelford County EMS director Mary Quintero was accepted after an hour-long closed session of the hospital district’s board of directors on Monday, Jan. 20.

Although it was not discussed in open session, Quintero submitted her resignation last Wednesday, Jan. 15, according to board president John Ayers,  and she has since apparently accepted another position.

Quintero has managed the local ambulance service since early 2015.

Albany residents interested in birding and bird conservation are invited to attend a meeting on Monday, Jan. 27 at First Christian Church.

The informal meeting will start at 7:00 p.m. in the FCC fellowship hall, according to pastor Brad McBee, who is helping organize the new club.

For information, call McBee at 325-762-6380.

By Kathy Thomson

Lifelong Shackelford County resident Lari Dee Guy was inducted into the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame in Fort Worth last Thursday, Jan. 16.

The induction ceremony was held at Billy Bob’s Texas and is one of the premier events held prior to the opening of the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo every year. 

By Melinda L. Lucas

With just a week left before the official deadline, a large percentage of the county-wide tax levies will be collected in the next few days.

Taxes assessed during 2019 are officially due next week, on Friday, Jan. 31. With the due date falling during the regular work week, there are no special concessions for late payments, according to chief appraiser Clayton Snyder at the Shackelford County Central Appraisal District (CAD) office. 

By Kathy Thomson

The public is invited to visit Fort Griffin State Historical Site this Saturday, Jan. 25, for two separate  and very different special events.

The park will host its second trout fishing day of the winter, with a Fort Griffin staff member available on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. to provide instruction and assistance.

By Kathy Thomson

The Albany High School student body selected eight class members as royalty for Albany High School’s Winter Formal. 

The Winter Formal is organized each year by members of the Albany High School student council, and this year’s gala was held last Saturday, Jan. 18 at the Whitney Theatre.

Three boys and three girls from each of the four classes were nominated by their peers in class meetings held earlier this month, with the winners, one boy and one girl from each class, selected last week.

By Kathy Thomson

Seven Albany High School students will travel to Haskell this Saturday, Jan. 25 for the annual Haskell UIL Pow Wow, an academic practice meet. 

“A lot of our kids are involved in the stock show, but we have seven who will be able to attend, and they will make up 23 individual entries,” said Rick Davis, UIL coordinator. “Our next practice meet is on Feb. 22 in Stamford. I expect a much larger group for that meet.”