By Kathy Thomson

Spring has officially arrived, the weather is pleasant, and the grass at the Albany Golf Course is freshly mowed and ready for players.

“Right now the course is still open, with self distancing,” said James Waters with the Albany Golf Club on Monday. “We are allowing no more than five in a group, and they are required to make sure that they keep the proper distances between each other.”

Waters said that players can only ride one person to a cart, with the exception of spouses and those in similar circumstances.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Albany senior and standout athlete Jaleigh Morales has committed to play basketball next year at McMurry University in Abilene.

The university announced Morales’ decision last week since the usual signing day ceremonies were canceled due to both the university and the high school being closed because of statewide coronavirus precautions.

By Kathy Thomson

The staff at the Moran Independent School District is working to meet the needs of their students, with lessons available online, by email, or by hard copy, and meals provided to local students by request.

“We are still supplying a few meals for students,” said superintendent Danny Freeman. “For those families that have requested meals, we are providing breakfast and lunch twice a week.”

By Kathy Thomson

The City of Moran is still working to complete the paperwork required before they can begin using the $275,000 in HUD Community Development Block Grant funds earmarked for replacing approximately 2,500 of eight inch sewer lines running along Fisher Avenue and Grand Avenue, and as of press time on Tuesday, commodities were scheduled to be available as normal on Friday, April 3. However, COVID-19 concerns have interrupted most other city activities in Moran.

By Kathy Thomson

Earlier this month the District 20-A All-District boys basketball teams were announced, and three Moran Bulldogs were included in the honorees.

Sophomore Lyric Huskey was named to the Second Team All District.

Moran senior Harley Schafer was among those given Honorable Mention.

Sophomore Arren Hawley and Schafer were both placed on the All-District Academic team.

Top accolades were divided between players from Eula and Baird, who went one and two in district.

Darlene Davis, 77, of Albany died Tuesday, March 17, 2020 in an Abilene hospital. A private family service will be held at a later date.

Darlene was born Aug. 5, 1942 in Stamford to Ted and Margaret (Childers) Fitzpatrick. She graduated from Odessa High School.

Lt. Col. Bobby Russell, age 82 of Albany, passed away Thursday, March 19, 2020. Private graveside funeral services with military honors were held Tuesday, March 24 in the Albany Cemetery with Pastor Jeff Turner officiating. Interment followed under the direction of Morehart Mortuary. A public memorial service will be held at a later date.

Lola Mae Johnson, age 91 of Moran, passed away Thursday, March 19, 2020. Due to the government mandate, a private graveside service will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, March 27 in the Moran Cemetery. Interment will follow under the direction of Morehart Mortuary. A public memorial service will be held at a later date.

Lola Mae Roland was born May 29, 1928 in Merkel, Texas to parents Henry W. Roland and Nila Mae Morton Roland. On May 23, 1944, Lola Mae married James LaMoine Johnson in Merkel. 

Wanda Gleason, age 93 of Albany, passed away Friday, March 20, 2020. Graveside funeral services were held Tuesday, March 24 in the Cundiff Ceme-tery at Cundiff, Texas with John Ross Reames officiating. Interment followed under the direction of Morehart Mortuary. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

Wanda Louise Woolsey was born Dec. 10, 1926 in Jack County, Texas to parents, Emmitt Woolsey and Pearl Board Woolsey. She married Aaron Edward Gleason on Aug. 28, 1943. 

Joe Dan Oden, 65, of Albany, Texas died on March 14, 2020 in Weatherford, Texas. 

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, services are pending indefinitely. A memorial service and celebration of life party will be held at the soonest possible time, with an announcement of those services being run in this paper at that time.