By Lynsi Musselman

With more time at home, many people in Albany have stepped up their culinary endeavors.

Local resident Megan Ledbetter said she typically cooks meals at home, but with the temporary close of her business, she started taking more time to prepare gourmet type meals and fancy desserts.

“I feel like Betty Crocker,” Ledbetter said. “Normally I nuke things in the microwave.”

Ledbetter said this has been a family experience. Her three-year-old daughter mixes all the eggs and her five-year-old son chops the vegetables. 

Sierra Price Brooks of San Angelo was recently initiated into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation’s oldest and most selective all-discipline collegiate honor society. Brooks was initiated at Angelo State University.

Brooks is among approximately 30,000 students, faculty, professional staff, and alumni to be initiated into Phi Kappa Phi each year. 

Membership is by invitation only and requires nomination and approval by a chapter. Only the top 10 percent of seniors and 7.5 percent of juniors are eligible for membership. 

By Kathy Thomson

Pick-up dates for the May distribution of the commodity food program are expected to take place as scheduled, on May 7 and 8 using the same outdoor distribution protocols enacted last month so participants can more easily maintain proper social distancing.

The Albany distribution will once again 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 Lynsi Musselman

Churches were included in Governor Abbott’s Monday afternoon press conference that gave details about the first phase of reopening the state.

Some Albany churches will begin Sunday to return to in-person services. 

Friendship Baptist Church

Pastor Paul Johnston said Friendship Baptist Church will have two worship services this Sunday, one at 9:15 a.m. and the other at 10:55 a.m.

“We recommend that masks be worn for self-protection and the protection of others,” Johnston said.

By Lynsi Musselman

The 2020 Census for Shackelford County, and all of the United States, is facing challenges that puts everyone at risk for an undercount.

Currently, Shackelford County’s response rate is 26.2 percent. 

According to the census bureau, this is one of the lowest percentages in Congressional District 60. 

The response rate for the entire state is below 50 percent, ranking 38th in the nation.

By Lynsi Musselman

Social-distancing creates an environment for personal prayer and comteplation this year during National Day of Prayer. 

Albany churches will welcome all faiths for individual prayer on Thursday, May 7, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Albany’s National Day of Prayer will be organized as a come and go event to avoid large gatherings. Individuals are encouraged to visit any church, or more than one church.

Wanda Lorena Hogan, 80, of Albany died Wednesday, April 22, 2020 in an Abilene hospital. Memorial services will be announced at a later date. Arrangements are by Bailey Howard Funeral Home of Clyde. 

Wanda was born Feb. 15, 1940 in Dalhart to Atas and Ruby (Grisham) Jones. Her family moved to Albany when she was a young girl, and she attended school in Albany. 

She married Thomas Wayne Hogan in Albany on Aug. 25, 1955. They owned and operated the Longhorn Restaurant for 20 plus years. She was a believer in her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 

Stiles Dwaine Belcher, 82, of Knox City, Texas,  and formerly of Albany, died of dementia complications on Wednesday, April 15, 2020 at an Abilene, Texas nursing home. 

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, no visitation or services will be held. He was buried in the Albany Cemetery April 19.

By Donnie A. Lucas

School officials have been busy planning for the remainder of the school year following Gov. Greg Abbott’s announcement last Friday that in-person classes are cancelled for the remainder of the year due to concerns over the Coronavirus COVID-19.

“We have been finalizing plans for the rest of the school year,” superintendent Jonathan Scott said. “There are still some things that are not decided or pending based on what the governor or the commissioner does later on.”

By Lynsi Musselman

The Academic Booster Club Facebook page is spotlighting seniors each day until graduation.

Tisha Wilkins is spearheading the project to recognize the members of Albany High School’s Senior Class of 2020. 

“This is something we can do to give our seniors some encouragement,” Wilkins said.

She said that each day a new senior is added to the page, with two seniors included on Tuesdays in order to get them all included by graduation, which is tentatively set for May 22.