By Kathy Thomson

The Lady Bulldogs volleyball season ended last Tuesday, Oct. 29, when a loss to the Woodson Cowgirls blocked hopes of a spot in the District 6 1A playoff bracket.

Moran fell in three sets 17-25, 20-25, 14-25.

“We struggled with our serves,” said coach Jo Hise.

Hise said that she enjoyed working with the players this season.

“It was my honor and privilege to coach this great group of young ladies,” Hise said. “I learned so much from them this year.”

The coach is expecting all but one team member to return next year.

By Melinda L. Lucas

In what may be the best turnout in recent years for a constitutional amendment election, 16 percent of Shackelford County’s 2,281 registered voters cast 372 ballots on Tuesday and during early voting, for the most part following statewide trends.

Local residents turned down Proposition 1 to allow an elected municipal judge to serve in more than one municipality by a 44% to 56% margin, less than the state’s 35% to 65% rejection.

By Kathy Thomson

Members of Matthews Memorial Presbyterian Church will hold their annual Bazaar starting at 10:00 a.m. this Saturday, Nov. 9, and they have invited everyone in the community as well as out-of-town visitors to join them in kicking off the holiday season with a traditional Thanksgiving-type meal and the opportunity to shop for handcrafted Christmas gifts, foods, and decorations.

Members of the historical church have been decorating and cooking for weeks in preparation for this weekend’s annual fundraising event.

By Kathy Thomson

All veterans in Shackelford County are invited to join local students for Veterans Day activities next Monday, Nov. 11, at Nancy Smith Elementary School and at the Moran Independent School District. Additionally, the veterans and their spouses are invited to a special luncheon put on by the Albany Study Club next Thursday, Nov. 14.

The three Veterans Day events will honor local veterans and thank them for their service to America.

AISD Program

Recipes are still being accepted for the upcoming holiday recipe section, according to Albany News editor Melinda Lucas.

“I know there are lots of great cooks in Albany and Moran, and I could use some more recipes,” said Lucas. “I’d like to have something to start on by the end of this week, but I know it’s a busy time of year and everyone has a lot going on.”

Several individuals have sent a variety of contributions for the Nov. 21 tab, but more are needed.

A blood drive is scheduled to take place in Albany this afternoon, Nov. 7, and Hendrick Regional Blood Center (formerly Meek Blood Center) will park its bloodmobile at First Baptist Church from 1:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. 

Blood drives in Albany have been sponsored by the Kiwanis Club for over 20 years.

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 Kathy Thomson

The annual Albany Chest campaign is underway, with letters already mailed as directors attempt to reach the goal of $42,000 for the 2019 campaign. 

Twenty-four different organizations, including one new applicant, 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. 

By Melinda L. Lucas

The filing period for the March 2020 primary elections officially starts this weekend on Saturday, Nov. 9, but since the Shackelford County Courthouse is closed through Veterans Day on Monday, Nov. 11, the first day that candidates can actually sign up is Nov. 12.

Republican county chair Lynne Teinert plans to be at the Courthouse on Wednesday, Nov. 13 at 1:00 p.m. to help sign up candidates for the Republican primary.

The City of Albany will test the emergency warning siren at 12:00 noon next Wednesday, Nov. 13, as it does the second Wednesday of every month, depending on the weather.

The tests keep citizens familiar with the three warning sounds, and they are also used to make sure that the siren, computer, software, and radios are working correctly.

The siren should sound one of the three emergency tones at noon on that day, but the siren is not tested if the weather is questionable.

By Kathy Thomson

A large troupe of local junior high thespians are rehearsing for the upcoming University Interscholastic League one-act play competition that will be held in Albany on Thursday, Nov. 14.

“We are performing A Christmas Carol Adapted by Jerome McDonough,” said director Melanie Turner. “Rehearsals are going well.”

McDonough’s adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic tale uses simple staging and costumes, and is written for a large cast.