By Kathy Thomson

Moran High School senior Harley Schafer was recently named as one of the Lee’s Legion Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution 2020 DAR Good Citizen award winners.

Four area high schools were each invited to submit the name of one member of their senior class to Lee’s Legion for the honor. 

The student should be one who has demonstrated the good citizenship qualities of dependability, service, leadership, and patriotism in his or her home, school, and community. 

By Kathy Thomson

Moran varsity basketball teams are in the midst of district competition, with the girls 0-5 after the first round, and the guys, who started district play a week later, currently at 1-2.

Both teams traveled to Gordon for games on Tuesday, Jan. 28. Results were not available at press time and will be reported next week.

Moran continues on the road to Ranger on Friday, Jan. 31, with the girls’ match at 6:00 p.m. and the boys to follow.

Moran will host Baird on Feb. 4, starting with the Lady Bulldogs’ tip-off at 6:00 p.m.

A benefit meal of fried catfish and all the fixin’s will be served on Saturday, Feb. 8 at “D.A.’s” in Moran to help with medical expenses for MHS student Baylee Orsak.

Serving will start at 4:00 p.m. on Feb. 8, with a suggested donation of $10 per plate, which includes a drink.

Live music will be provided during the evening.

Orsak, who was diagnosed with type one diabetes when she was seven, has ongoing expenses because of her illness, said Donnie Edgar, who operates D.A.’s along with co-owner Allen Mosher.

D.A.’s is located at 111 Ground Street in Moran.

By Kathy Thomson

A cheer meeting will be held at 5:30 p.m. next Thursday, Feb. 6 for all upcoming sixth grade through high school students interested in representing Moran as mascots, varsity cheerleaders, or junior high cheerleaders for the 2020-2021 school year. 

Students interested in trying out must bring a parent or guardian with them to the meeting at the MISD auditorium.

Upcoming Events

Thursday, Feb. 13 is the end of the fourth six weeks grading period.

By Melinda L. Lucas

During their Jan. 27 meeting, Shackelford County commissioners opted not to renew the current IT contract with Goldsmith Solutions and instead seek an alternative type of  agreement with Goldsmith or another Information Technology (IT) consultant.

The current contract, which is based on hourly fees for services, expires March 27.

County judge Robert Skelton outlined a timetable that allows the county to advertise for IT bids starting this week and review any proposals in time to make a decision before the end of March.

By Kathy Thomson

The 2020 Shackelford County Youth and Livestock Association county livestock show and sale was held at the county show barn last weekend, Jan. 24-25, and according to association president Bronco Askew, the show was a success.

“We had a great show,” said Askew. “Of course, we don’t have final money totals yet, but pre-sale Bidders Pool donations were up, and overall we had a good turnout. In addition, it was almost unbelievable how great the weather was!”

By Kathy Thomson

Incumbent James Waters filed for reelection as councilman for the city of Albany this week, bringing the current slate of candidates running for local offices on the May 2 ballots up to five.

Robert Montgomery and Ginny Ivy both filed to return to their respective places on the Albany school board the previous week. 

Also turning in her paperwork during the initial week of filing was Shackelford County Hospital Board member Janna Ledbetter.

Mayor pro tem Susan Montgomery submitted her candidacy for Albany mayor.

Donny “Treetop” Shawn, age 80 of Albany, passed away Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 30 at the United Pentecostal Church in Albany with Bro. Lee Hail officiating. Interment will follow in the Albany Cemetery under the direction of Morehart Mortuary. 

Donny Lee Shawn was born Oct. 10, 1939 in Bridgeport, Texas to parents James Shawn and Mary Elizabeth Parson Shawn. He graduated from Abilene High School. On April 24, 1960, he married Helen Cooper in Albany, Texas. 

Darcy Danielle Henley of Moran, TX passed away Friday, Dec. 27, 2019 at Hendrick Medical Center. 

A memorial service was held Sunday, Dec. 29 at the Moran Community Center in Moran, TX. 

Darcy was born April 25, 1986 in Stamford, TX to Don and Deborah Whitt Henley. Darcy moved to Moran at an early age, and would receive her primary education there, graduating from Moran High School in 2004. 

Darcy lived life to the fullest and loved people. She loved wood burning, and she loved to watch movies. 

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.