By Melinda L. Lucas
Public access to the historic Shackelford County Courthouse is now restricted by order of the commissioners court, with action taken at a Monday, March 23 meeting and effective Tuesday morning.
The resolution allows exterior doors on both the Courthouse and the Justice of the Peace office to be locked during business hours, with signs posted to call the appropriate office if access is needed for permits, etc.
By Melinda L. Lucas
With the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the U.S. doubling every few days, and local leaders expecting more cases to show up in the Big Country in the near future, Albany city council members met in emergency session on Thursday, March 19 to take action on a declaration of disaster.
Meeting along with the city officials were Albany ISD superintendent Jonathan Scott and Shackelford County judge Robert Skelton.
The city’s emergency management coordinator, Carrie Holson, was also present.
By Donnie A. Lucas
Albany teachers have remained busy over the last week transitioning to alternate delivery methods of education materials and content in the wake of the school’s closure due to the COVID-19 concerns.
The local district started a two-week closure to students last Monday that was due to end next Tuesday, but the shutdown was made mandatory statewide by Gov. Greg Abbott through April 3.
By Melinda L. Lucas
Cancellations and suspensions of local events are ongoing through the coronavirus crisis, and the News will continue to publicize these as they are reported.
In addition, many offices are limiting access to the public, with locked front doors even as employees work at their desks and take calls for appointments or payments.
Meanwhile, at press time, local retail businesses were still open for business, with many precautions being taken to protect both workers and customers.
By Kathy Thomson
Albany restaurant owners are trying to adjust to a new and unprecedented normal brought on by the coronavirus pandemic, and Shackelford residents are encouraged to help them keep their businesses open.
By Kathy Thomson
Pick-up dates for the April distribution of the commodity food program are expected to take place as scheduled, on April 2 and 3, but the ongoing spread of coronavirus is expected to result in a couple of changes that certified families need to know.
In order to allow social distancing, the Albany distribution will take place outside of the building.
“We will set the bags out back on a table,” said Melissa Hobbs at the Justice of the Peace office. “We are relying on the integrity and honesty of people to only take their bag.”
By Melinda L. Lucas
Albany ISD’s school meal program started this week with pickup breakfast and lunch bags, and administrators are looking at possibly setting up remote locations if needed.
AISD cafeteria manager Debra Boyett said Tuesday that her staff handed out about 20 breakfasts the first two morning, along with 35 to 40 lunches on those two days.
“The pickup procedure in the circle drive at the elementary school is working well, so we’re going to continue distributing as many meals as we can that way,” said Boyett.
By Kathy Thomson
For the first time in history, local congregations are prohibited from meeting for typical worship services, and though some will not have Sunday services this week, others will offer online services of one type or another.
Churches are included in Governor Greg Abbott’s order that every person in Texas avoid social gatherings in groups of more than 10 people in an effort to delay the spread of COVID-19.
Albany Church of Christ has cancelled services.
By Kathy Thomson
Although the Fandangle cast has a history of working through mud, drought, and thunderstorms, the latest tempest, a world-wide health crisis caused by COVID-19, has put practices on hold for at least the month of March.
“Since group gatherings are limited right now, we will not have rehearsal in March,” artistic director Lorna Ayers text messaged Fandangle participants last Saturday.
By Donnie A. Lucas
The University Interscholastic League has extended the current suspension of all UIL sanctioned activities, including both academic and athletic events, through May 3 due to concerns over the coronavirus.
The organization first enacted a suspension through March 29, but that was expanded to May 3 and might be extended again if schools do not reopen due to the virus spreading in Texas.
The suspension includes all contests, rehearsals, practices, and workouts until further notice.
