By Melinda L. Lucas

As expected, annual community Easter services were cancelled last week by members of the Albany Ministerial Alliance, including a Wednesday night Holy Week gathering and the traditional Easter sunrise service.

Most local churches are continuing to meet virtually or stream services on social media.

Doug Stenberg, pastor of Trinity Covenant Church, said that his small congregation, with attendance fewer than 10, plans to meet for regular services at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday mornings for as long as possible.

By Kathy Thomson

A Shackelford County 4-H member, with the help of a family friend, placed second in the team division of the 2020 statewide 4-H Virtual Bass Fishing tournament sponsored by District 5 on March 7, 14, and 21. 

“Woods Peterson of Albany and Jack Morris of Dallas County participated all three weekends,” said Shackelford County Agri-Life extension agent Kloey Painter. “Their bass together weighed in at 19.1 pounds. They caught them at Lake Rainbo.” 

Rainbo Lake is located in East Texas near Athens.

By Kathy Thomson

Moran residents are working together to help out each other during the current COVID-19 threat, offering to pick up needed supplies for neighbors when they travel to area stores, lending books, sharing DVDs and other entertainment ideas, and working together to get a community garden area ready for planting.

Community Garden

Robert Skinner used his John Deere tractor to till the garden plot last Friday.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Shackelford County chief appraiser Clayton Snyder is officially extending the deadline to submit property renditions one full month to May 15, in light of the impact on local businesses by the coronavirus.

The renditions were originally due by April 15. 

“Business owners have a lot on their plates right now, and finishing their renditions is not at the top of their priority list,” said Snyder. “In accordance with guidance from the Comptroller this week, I’ve decided to move the deadline back.”

By Kathy Thomson

The 2020 Shackelford County Youth and Livestock Association’s Buyer-Seller Banquet has been cancelled, but checks will be delivered to livestock sellers as soon as all of the pledge money is turned in, according to SCYLA president Bronco Askew.

“The officers and board of directors communicated by text and voted to cancel the banquet,” said Askew. “Our regular meeting to review how the show went this year, consider rule changes, and elect officers  is on hold.”

The City of Albany will test the emergency warning siren at 12:00 noon next Wednesday, April 8, as it does the second Wednesday of every month, depending on the weather.

The tests keep citizens familiar with the three warning sounds, and they are also used to make sure that the siren, computer, software, and radios are working correctly.

The siren should sound one of the three emergency tones at noon on that day, but the siren is not tested if the weather is questionable, according to local fire chief Kyle Tischler. 

SEVERE WEATHER

By Kathy Thomson

Not unexpectedly with the increasing spread of coronavirus, this week Texas Governor Greg Abbott officially extended the statewide closure of schools through May 4, and the Moran Independent School District will continue providing distance learning for its students during the interim.

Teachers at MISD are making lessons available online or by hard copy depending upon the needs of the various parents and students. 

By Melinda L. Lucas

The April 11 annual community Easter egg hunt sponsored by the Albany Volunteer Fire Department has been cancelled, with plans to possibly reschedule some event later in the spring.

According to fire chief Kyle Tischler, AVFD members decided last week that the event should be cancelled.

“We definitely want to do something for our kids since most will be unable to celebrate like they usually do, but we’ll decide on that later,” said Tischler.

He added, though, that there are more pressing issues to be considered.

By Kathy Thomson

At least two local groups of women have been using their sewing skills to help battle the coronavirus by sewing masks for nurses and others on the front lines of this strange new “war.”

By Kathy Thomson

Thursday, April 2 is the last day to register to vote or make a change of address effective for the May 2 local board elections. 

Voter registration applications can be found online at votetexas.gov, or by contacting county voter registrar Belinda Perez at the Tax Assessor-Collector office at the Shackelford County Courthouse. Access to the Courthouse is currently limited due to -COVID-19, so those needing to register should contact call 325-762-9420 or email at belinda.perez@shackelfordcounty.org.

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