The city of Albany will receive a sales tax allotment of $41,174 from the state this March. The amount is down 40.94 percent from the $69,720 payment received in March of 2019.

Payments to date for the city of Albany are $127,219, down by 26.31 percent from the comparable time last year.

The city of Moran will receive a net payment of $1,794 this period, for a 43.88 percent increase from the $1,247 received in March 2019.

Payments to date for Moran are $5,582, up by 25.16 percent from the comparable time in 2019.

By Kathy Thomson

Several local churches have changed or cancelled upcoming services and events due to the government’s request that everyone try to limit the spread of COVID19.

The Feed Store has suspended all group activities, including Tuesday lunches, Monday nights for high school, Tuesday nights for junior high, Saturday morning girls Bible study, and the girls retreat that had been planned for this weekend. 

By Kathy Thomson

Closet Angels and Neighbors in Need will both be closed until further notice, and neither will be able to accept any donations during the current coronavirus outbreak.

“Out of an abundance of caution, we have temporarily closed CA and NIN and we will not be accepting any donations until further notice,” said director Lori Reames. “Please do not leave any items outside of the buildings, as volunteers have been instructed not to come. Anyone seen on camera leaving items will be contacted to retrieve their donations.”

Albany firefighter Jeff Hill received the Purdue-Pickard Outstanding Student Award at the Mid-West Texas Introductory Firefighter Academy at the close of the school on March 7. 

Additionally, Albany students David Hardin and Lathin Brownlee were recognized as Honorary Members of Academy Class 14, and the Albany Fire Department was presented a Certificate of Appreciation for providing critical support for the Academy. 

By Kathy Thomson

The spread of SARS-CoV-2, the novel coronavirus which causes the disease COVID-19, has quickly upended everyday life around the world, with quarantines, school closures, event cancellations, working from home, and empty spaces on store shelves becoming the new normal for many.

Everyone across America has been asked to do their part to try and “blunt the curve” (slow down the rate of new infections) so that health care professionals and hospitals are not overwhelmed beyond capacity.

Guidelines

By Donnie A. Lucas

Albany school officials have announced that all school facilities, including the weight room, gyms and the “green room” have been closed to both students and the public through March 31.

Working off of recommendations from the Texas Education Agency, UIL, and CDC guidelines, the closure is part of the attempt to stem the spread of coronavirus.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The Lion baseball team was off to a strong start with a pair of wins during the first day of the Brock tournament, only to have the rest of the three-day event canceled due to rain and possible concerns over the coronavirus.

Starting the season with a 7-0 record, the Lions and all other high school teams across the state are in a two-week deferral due to the virus. The University Interscholastic League, which controls all athletic and academic contests, has suspended all practices and games until March 30.

[EDITOR’S NOTE: 

At press time on Wednesday, there were rumors that the UIL had cancelled all athletic events for the remainder of the school year, but the News was not able to confirm that in time for this edition. If that proves to be the case, most of the facts in this story are obsolete.]

By Donnie A. Lucas

High school sports statewide have been suspended through March 29 by the University Interscholastic League as part of an effort to contain the spread of the coronavirus, meaning all practices and games are prohibited.

By Kathy Thomson

Albany High junior Wesley Estridge competed in the Texas High School Powerlifting Association Region 1, Division 3 Championships in Sundown last Saturday, but did not advance to state.

The initial event was the squat, followed by bench press, and then dead lift.

Estridge was successful in his attempt of 700 pounds in his squat. He improved the score on his second attempt, matching his personal meet record of 710 for the squat. 

However, he was unable to tie his personal best of 405 in bench press.

By Kathy Thomson

Three local youth made the sale at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo before the event closed early due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“The Houston stock show did the best that they could getting all of the lambs and goats shown in one day,” said Tammy Clark, who was at the show with her children. “It was very chaotic and surreal to be there during the shutdown. And since we’ve been home, it has just been more unbelievable.”