The Albany News (Albany, Tex.), Vol. 115, No. 30, Ed. 1 Thursday, January 3, 1991 Page: 1 of 16
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Albany News
"Oldest Journalistic Venture West of the Brazos"
THURSDAY, JANUARY 3, 1991, ALBANY, TEXAS 76430
—gggggg
10 PAGib IN } SECTION
VOLUME NUMBER 115
ggagggas
NUMBER 30 PRICE 35« PER COPY
1990 sixth wettest year with 41.6 inches
WINTER COAT . . .
A pine tree resembles a frosty feather duster after a Dec, snowfall.
Br Malted* L. Lucm
The year 1M0 ended with 41.6
inches of precipitation reported
to the U.S. Weather Bureau, well
above the 26.47-inch average, and
the sixth hifheat amount of rain-
fall in Shackelford County since
the records begin in 1196.
The year seemed well on its
way to being listed in the top five
wettest years on record when the
moisture came to a virtual stand-
still during the final six weeks of
the year.
No one month in 1900 comes
near record-breaking status, but
all months except June, Novem-
ber and December were above the
monthly average for the past 95
years.
May, which historically shows
the highest average of any month
for this part of Texas, was no
exception this year, with a
whopping 7.69 inches recorded
compared with a 4.03-inch aver-
age.
Past May recordings, however,
are higher, with the most rainfall
for the month shown as recently
as 1982, 11.68 inches. The 1990
figure ranks eighth in the 95-year
history.
December was the driest month
of the past year, with only .5 ihch
recorded on December 17. Snow-
fall on December 21 and Decem-
ber 30 left only traces of mois-
ture. The average for December
is 1.35 inches.
Other monthly recordings by
local weather observer EUa M.
Turner are as follows, with the
95-year average in parentheses:
January • 1.48 (1.11), February -
4.11 (1.88), March - 4.86 (1.48),
April - 6.85 (2.69), June • 1.1 (2.72),
July * 4.35 (2.28), August - 4.58
(2.46), September - 4.16 (2.96), Oc-
tober - 2.86 (2.7), and November -
1.31 (1.61).
elude 1919 in seventh place, 39.66
inches; 1986 next with 89.03 inch-
es; 1981 in ninth with 88.07 inches;
and 1914 last with 87.66 inches.
Interestingly, four out of the
top ten over the 96-year recorded
history have occurred within the
past 18 years.
Conversely, one of the driest
1990 RAINFALL
i January
- 1.48"
May - 7.59"
September
- 4.15"
I February
-4.11"
June -1.10"
October
- 2.86"
: March
- 4.36"
July - 4.35"
November
- 1.31"
April
-5.35"
August - 4.53"
December
- .50"
Although sixth overall during
the past 95 years, 1990 ranks
second only to 1978 in the last 20
•years. Albany's "100-year flood"
occurred in 1978, when 29.13 inch-
es of rainfall was recorded in Aug-
ust alone. A total of 44.85 inches
was figured for 1978 in an other-
wise dry year.
The wettest year on record in
} Albany was 1941, also a flood
year, when 9.04 inches fell in May,
resulting in a flood, and another
9.62 inches was added in October,
for a total of 47.01 inches for the
12-month period.
Ranking second is 1932 with
4$.06 inches (10.26 inches in Sep-
tember). The year 1957 is next
with 46.02 inches (10.2 inches in
April). Fourth is 1978, and 1906 is
.next, with 41.98 inches (9.51 in
A»ust).
"Whs* years in the top ten in-<
years on record was as recent as
1968, when only 16.01 inches of
precipitation fell on Shackelford
County, fifth on the list.
Other dry years were 1956 -
11.01 inches; 1917 - 11.74 inches;
1901 - 13.56 inches; and 1921 -
15.26 inches.
The average rainfall for the 95
years of recorded precipitation is
26.47 inches, but that average is
considerably higher when just the
past 10 or 20 years is averaged.
From 1971 to 1990, an average
of 29.46 inches can be figured,
while the average from 1981-1990
is even higher, an even 30 inches.
Temperatures for December
are a reflection of 1989 events,
with balmy winter readings of 65
to 70 degrees plunging to the
teens within hours, and bearing
out the old Texas adage of "if you
don't like the weather right now,
stick around for a little while and
it will change."
Temperatures for the month
reached a high of 73 on December
11 and remained pleasant for the
next nine days, with a low of 39
degrees on December 12.
On the first official day of win-
ter, however, a front caused the
mercury to plummet to 18 degrees
on December 21 and brought with
it snow and chilling winds.
Temperatures remained low
for the next four days, with a low
of five degrees on December 22
and wind chill factors well below
zero.
Christmas Day, however, saw
the thermometer go above the
freezing level, to 38 degrees, and
also exposed numerous broken
pipes when frozen water thawed.
The mercury again climbed,
making its way up to a 65-degree
high on December 28 before
another, briefer cold spell,
brought sub-freezing tempera-
tures.
On December 29, when a high of
62 degrees was recorded, the
front caused temperatures to
drop more than 30 degrees in less
than two hours. A low of 12
degrees was recorded that night,
and the high was only 20 degrees
the next day, dropping to 10
degrees in the night.
On the last day of 1990, the
thermometer showed a pleasant
42-degree high during the day and
the mercury climbed even higher
on New Year's Day. t_
By Donnie A. Lucas
The second half of 1990 con-
tinued to be filled with success
stories, like those dominating the
firet six months of the year.
However, the finances of local
taxing entities and elections also
took tneir share of the headlines.
All four of the local taxing
authorities - the school, city,
county and hospital - had to
raise taxes during 1990 even
though most cut their spending.
The county was hit hardest, hav-
ing to raise taxes 00 percent,
while trimming over 6200,000
from the expense side of their
budget. The city raised taxes 44
percent as aging equipment and a
lack of surplus funds took their
toll.
The local school district ap-
proved a tax increase of a little
over 10 percent to balance their
books in the midst of yet another
restructuring of the state's educa-
tional funding plan.
The local hospital, while having
financial woes of its own, hiked
taxes the least - three percent
- relying on surplus funds
reserved from pi
tinue to serve tr
Texans had a busy fall as far as
elections wore concerned. The
w years to con-
the community.
seemingly never-ending gover-
nor's race, along with numerous
other statewido posts were final-
ly filled in November.
Three Shackelford County of-
ficials faced write-In candidates,
but the incumbents prevailed.
One race that drew local atten-
tion was between Fred Gough and
John Cook for the 64th state
representative's sett. It seemed
that it was never going to official-
ly end. The lead changed hands
several times until Cook emerged
the winner after i re-count was
ordered.
Albany appeared to be having
another winning football seaaon
in the bag in the fall. The Lions
went 8-0 before losing the final
two games of the year and their
chance at a play-off berth.
Go back with us through the
psges of the Albany Newt for the
last half of 1090 and rsview the
stories that mads headlines.
JULY
July 6: A record number of en-
tries are led down Main Street for
the 62nd Fandangle Parade by
Clayton Williams. Final three per-
formances of Fandangls play to
full houses. Former editor and
ublisher of the Albany Ntwt,
antes Lena man, 48, dies sudden-
1990:
The year
in review
X
ji
fRIENDS OF THE COURTHOUSE . . .
An architect specializing in restoration examines the courthouse.
ly. Albany's 14 and under softball
all-star team wins district tourna-
ment.
July 12: 1989 county audit
shows $160,000 loss. School board
awards bid for construction of
new field house. Little League all-
stars win tournament game.
Three girls softball all-etar teams
advance to state tournament.
Erin Woods brings home medal
from National Trampoline Com-
petition.
July 19: Effective tax rates
calculated for local taxing
jurisdictions decrease slightly.
City council votes to raise trash
collection rates by $8 across the
board due to departmental loeaes.
KTXS-TV plans "Family Fun
Day" on Courthouse square.
Three local youths leave on soccer
trip to England. Albany's Senior
League all-stars win area tour-
ney, advance to regionals.
July 26: City council proposes
59 cent tax rate, representing s 44
percent increase, School hit with
new state funding bill that re-
quires local tax rate to increase in
order to continue current level of
funding. New roof for high school
completed.
AUGUST
August 2: Group of citixens ad-
dress county commissionsrs
about rsstoration of courthouse,
ask to form group. City holds first
hearing On tax increase. Christie
Hudman picked as finalist for
Lucille Ball role.
August 9: 8chool board pro-
poses 78 cent tax l ate, an increase
of 10.7 percent. AmWest Savings
announces closing of local office.
Netm honored with Weet Texas
Press awards.
August 10: County proposes 60
sent tax rate, a 81J percent in-
erease. School registration starts.
Local athletes begin w rkouts for
fill sports
ist 28: County begins
on budget,
Avgvi
working
ntjr begins
plans Bear-
ings for tax rate. City approves 44
Krcent tax increase, sets rate at
cents per $100. Hospital board
approves three percent tax in-
crease. Brandee Todd leaves for
Texas Academy of Math and Sci-
ence in Denton.
August 80: County tax rate
hssring draws comments for sev-
ersi citizens. County cuts budget,
but still expects to sdopt 50 cent
tax rate. Enrollment figures for
first day of classes at Albany ISD
increases slightly. School board
adopts 10.7 percent increase. Jen-
ny Wheeler wins ststs 4-H record
keeping competition. Lion de-
fense shines during first footbsll
scrim mags.
SEPTEMBER
September 6: Preliminary cen-
sus figures show substsntial
decrease in Albany's imputation
— from 2,460 to 1,910. Local
raneher Watt R. Matthews noti-
fied of selection for 1990 Nstional
Preservation Honor Award. Com-
missionsrs adopt 50 cent tax rate.
County budget of $1,097,884 ap
proved, compared to $1,294,062.
Old Jail Art Center opens exhibit
of Jspanese woodblocks.
September 18: Three county
residents file for write-in posi-
tions on November general ballot.
Lions open ssason with 34-20 win
ovsr Archer City. Volleyball ac-
tion heats up.
September 20: City to pay more
for Hubbard Lake water from
water district. $46,000 grsnt
received by city for runway
repairs at local airport. "Mer-
chants Only" Garage Sale opens
to public. State historical ar-
chitect visits local courthouse.
Ltdy Lions trins Newcastle Tour-
namsnt, place three on all-
tourney teats- Lions pick up se-
cond win if season. Ribbon cut-
ting marks opening «| new build-
ing for Buds For You.
September 87: First National
Bunk receives final approval for
purchase of Team Bank's Breck-
enridge office. County votes to
change health insurance com-
pany, saves $8,000. Two-week
period set for flag flying and
yellow ribbons to display support
of troops serving in Operation
Desert Shield. Lions come back to
win game with Knox City.
OCTOBER
October 4: City distributes sur-
vey to apply for state grants.
Flags and yellow ribbons continue
to fly in support of u-oops in Mid-
dle East. Albany H»,{h hosts two
foreign exchange students —
Judd Davidson and Kristina
Striegnitz. Lions open district
with 30-14 win over Hamlin.
October 11: Chamber's annual
OctoberWest held in downtown
Albany. Old Jail hosts Kids Day
Out at local cemetery. Lions come
from behind to defeat Anson 13-10
in final minutes. JV Lions keep
season record clean at 5-0 with
win over Anson. Lionettes take
third in Aspermont volleyball
tournament.
October 18: Albany Chest set
record $14,000 goal, requests
total $17,650. Task force plans
Red Ribbon Week. $3,700 taken in
burglary at Super Six. Water
district manager speaks to city
council. City discusses purchase
of computer and dozer. Case of
rabies reported by local veteri-
narian. Ribbon cutting opens new
WTU building. Lions stay unbeat-
en after Stamford win.
October 25: 1990 Homecoming
nominees selected. Red Ribbon
Campaign in full swing. Russian
couple visits Albany. AHS band
earns Division I rating at march-
ing contest. Lions defeat Jim Ned
47-0 to lead district race.
NOVEMBER
November 1: Jason Beard and
Angie Box selected 1990 Home-
coming King and Queen. Fall Fest
draws large crowd, proceeds up
slightly. Sophomore float wins
parade competition. AHS hosts
student council convention. Lions
give homecoming crowd 47-0 win
over Haskell. Lionettes advanee
to area volleyball tourney.
November 8: Local incumbents
ward off write-in bids during local
election. Albany Chest contribu-
tions trickling in, directors urge
more donations. Purses stolen
from two local vehicles. Injury
ridden Lions lose first contest of
year to Winters.
November 15: School board re
(See Year in review, pg. 10)
Is
Tax hikes, election headline last 6 months of 1990 F
NEW KID ON THE BLOCK . . .
WTU has been in Albany for years, but now has a new home.
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Lucas, Donnie A. The Albany News (Albany, Tex.), Vol. 115, No. 30, Ed. 1 Thursday, January 3, 1991, newspaper, January 3, 1991; Albany, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth413554/m1/1/: accessed July 7, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting The Old Jail Art Center.