By Donnie A. Lucas

Several incumbents and two newcomers have started the process of filing for the May 1 primary elections, although none had officially completed the required paperwork as of press time on Monday.

The filing deadline for the 2022 primary elections is Dec. 13, with party candidates earning a place on the 2022 general election to be held Nov. 8.

Terms ending next year include the county and district clerk, county treasurer, justice of the peace, county judge, and two precinct commissioner’s posts.

By Sam Waller

The Lighted Christmas Parade will top off Albany’s Small Town Saturday celebration this weekend, wrapping up a full day of events and Christmas shopping in the downtown area.

“Just come out and celebrate Albany,” Albany Chamber of Commerce manager Mary Beth Jones said. “Celebrate everything we have to be thankful for because Albany is special.”

The festivities will include live music, drawings for Albany Bucks, sales of memorial Christmas ornaments, a visit from Santa Claus, and food service.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The number of positive COVID-19 test results increased slightly over the last week based on statistics from one of the three testing facilties, according to county judge Bob Skelton on Monday.

The Shackelford County Health Clinic reported 16 positive tests for last week, with another eight positives on Monday of this week.

Testing conducted at ResourceCare showed eight tests with no positives last week. The Shackelford County EMS will not have a report this week, Skelton said.

By Melinda L. Lucas

The long-standing ownership issue at the Rock Hill School voting site has finally been resolved, Shackelford County commissioners learned at Monday’s regular meeting.

Commissioners also took action on an emergency adjustment in the budget to accommodate payment for an easement on One Mile Hill property where the county’s radio tower is located.

Pct. 4 Voting Site

The Albany Chamber of Commerce will not hold a weekly luncheonon Friday because of the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, according to Chamber manager Mary Beth Jones.

In addition, the Shackelford County Library will be closed Thursday and Friday, and senior games on Friday are also cancelled due to the holiday.

The next Chamber luncheon will be held at noon on Dec. 3 at the Icehouse.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Veterans in the Albany Cemetery will once again be honored during the National Wreaths Across America Day scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 18, with local volunteers fanning out across the cemetery to place the fresh evergreen wreaths on 525 graves.

A brief ceremony is planned starting at 11:00 a.m. at the pavilion at the cemetery, followed by volunteers and family members laying the wreaths.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Thousands of tax statements have been mailed to Shackelford County land, property, and business owners.

Chief appraiser Clayton Snyder at the Shackelford County Central Appraisal District (CAD) office stated that tax rates for all eight county taxing entities were entered and statements finished by the first week of November.

Statement Details

Statement files were uploaded electronically several weeks ago to a mailing company for processing and distribution.

By Donnie A. Lucas

After a year’s absence due to the pandemic, longtime puppeteers Dan Peeler and Charlie Rose are returning to The Old Jail Art Center for two days of performances of Christmas classics on Dec. 7 and 8.

This will be the 35th year that the duo have provided holiday joy through puppetry to local youth and adults alike.

Four performances are planned for both days starting at 9:00, 10:00, and 11:00 a.m., and at 2:00 p.m. in the Stasney Center for Education at the OJAC.

By Melinda L. Lucas

A blood drive is scheduled to take place in Albany next Thursday, Dec. 2.

Hendrick Regional Blood Center (formerly Meek Blood Center) will park its bloodmobile at First Baptist Church at the usual time from 1:00 until 6:30 p.m.

The blood center depends on volunteer blood donors to supply 100 percent of the blood that is used for patient care at 17 area hospitals. 

By Sam Waller

Fifth grade students from Nancy Smith Elementary School took the classroom outside last week at the Camp Grady Spruce Outdoor Education Program.

Accompanying the 29 students were NSES principal John Gallagher and teachers Leslie Neve, Candy Balliew, and William Vaughan.

The group departed on Monday, Nov. 15, and returned Wednesday, Nov. 17, after spending their time learning about a wide range of sciences.