By Melinda L. Lucas Up to $50,000 in aid to local small businesses was approved by the Albany city council in an emergency meeting on Tuesday morning, with council members expressing concern for the future of local retailers.

By Lynsi Musselman Government restrictions and closures have made in-person group meetings tough to conduct.  This includes local Alcoholics Anonymous and Life Recovery meetings.

By Donnie A. Lucas Following the announcement by Gov. Greg Abbott last Friday that all Texas schools are to remain closed for the remainder of the school year, the University Interscholastic League canceled all remaining 2019-2020 spring activities and state championships.

By Kathy Thomson According to Shackelford County sheriff Ed Miller, everyone needs to be aware that scammers are using the current -COVID-19 pandemic to try and con people out of money and personal information.

By Melinda L. Lucas Cancellations and suspensions of local events are ongoing through the coronavirus pandemic, and the News will continue to publicize these as they are reported.

By Lynsi Musselman Shackelford  County ResourceCare Community Health Center will be awarded $753,000 in coronavirus relief funds, according to an announcement last week by U.S. Senator John Cornyn.  The funding comes from the $76,701,360 that was awarded to Texas by the U.S.

By Lynsi Musselman Being bored, lethargic, and sedentary during the quarantine is a commonality for many residents, bringing to mind the old saying,“Idle hands are the devil’s workshop.

By Lynsi Musselman Albany has several local energy companies that employ residents and help keep the area economy healthy.  Even before the coronavirus, there was a decline in oil prices only made worse by a price war between Russia and Saudi Arabia. H.R.

By Lynsi Musselman Shackelford County has remained at zero for the number of positive -COVID-19 cases, but residents feeling sick can still take precautions set by government restrictions and use a local resource for testing.

Working in family groups with just a few in attendance at a time, members of Friendship Baptist Church “flowered the cross” outside the sanctuary on Easter Sunday morning.  Even while observing social distancing, Christians found ways to observe the sacred holiday.