By Kathy Thomson

Shackelford County Law Enforcement Center employee David Walls recently put in a garden at the LEC using funding contributed by the Albany Ministerial Alliance and items donated by Higginbotham Brothers.

“No county funds were used,” said Walls. “The general purpose I have in mind is to supplement and add nutritional value to the inmates’ meals; then we’ll share any extra bounty with first responders and area church pantries. I’m also hoping that inmate trustees will be able to work in the garden and take pride in it.”

By Lynsi Musselman

Honor students for the 2020 Albany High School senior class were announced on Monday, with Addison Asher officially recognized as valedictorian and Jaleigh Morales as salutatorian.

Asher, daughter of Stephanie and Sonny Asher, has earned a total grade point average of 97.9165 during her high school career.

The salutatorian, daughter of Melissa and Edward Morales, has earned an overall GPA of 97.1132.

 Local students earn the traditional grade point average based on the numeric grades for each class. 

By Kathy Thomson

Project Graduation organizers are hoping that donations will enable them to provide gifts to Albany High School’s graduating seniors, even though the traditional all-night graduation party is not expected to be able to take place under the social distancing requirements set in place because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

By Kathy Thomson

Future Aggie and current Albany High School senior Addison Asher is one of three 2020 graduates who will benefit from the generosity of the late Archylou Kinchen Dickie as a recipient of one of the scholarships she helped fund in memory of her husband George D. Dickie Jr.

The scholarship fund, run through Texas A&M University, provides three scholarships a year to benefit students from Stephens, Shackelford, and Throckmorton counties.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Albany native and 2015 AHS graduate Molly Lee has always been a bit of a character.

While possibly appearing shy to casual acquaintances, she is known among her circle of friends as funny, clever, maybe even somewhat dramatic – especially in videos she periodically posts on social media.

However, over the last two weeks, she has become an internet sensation after a video of her attempting to administer a facial waxing on herself went viral.

By Kathy Thomson

The Fort Griffin Fandangle board of directors will meet early next week to discuss the summer show, according to artistic director Lorna Ayers.

“After Governor Greg Abbott’s announcement on Monday, the board decided to convene on Monday, May 4 to discuss our options,” said Ayers.

In the meantime, marketing director Scarlett Yates and office manager Jamie Parsons are still at work promoting this year’s summer show, scheduled for June 19, 20, 26, and 27.

Polo on the Prairie 2020 has a new date.

All the regular festivities, along with the live music of country signer Clay Walker, will be held Saturday, Sept. 26, at the Musselman Brothers’ Lazy 3 Ranch in Albany.

Challenges due to COVID-19 required the event originally scheduled for Saturday, May 16, to postpone until September. 

“We are looking forward  to continuing this tradition in the fall,” said Melinda Musselman, chair for Polo on the Prairie. “It will be a nice change to plan around a less turbulent weather season.”

By Kathy Thomson

This school year is ending much differently than it normally does, but even with all of the unexpected changes brought on by the coronavirus pandemic, staff members at the Moran Independent School District are already preparing for next year.

By Kathy Thomson

According to Teresa King at Moran City Hall, local residents are ready to get “back on track” from coronavirus shelter in place precautions when rule changes allow that to take place.

Governor Greg Abbott had already relaxed some of the restrictions on church services, with restaurants and some other businesses across the state allowed to open to the public on Friday, May 1, as long as they observe the newly lowered capacity limits, increased disinfecting of surfaces, and follow social distancing protocols.

By Kathy Thomson

Like many local residents, Chris Blue has spent a lot of time over the last few weeks sewing face masks for those who need them, and so far, Blue has given masks to several elderly people in Albany, local Brookshire’s and Dollar General employees, West Texas Rehab workers, EMTs and firemen from Abilene, Texas Oncology and Abilene Diagnostic workers, and employees at Resource Care and Walmart in Breckenridge.