By Lynsi Musselman
Parents who need to pre-register their children for Head Start and pre-kindergarten for the 2020-2021 school year are encouraged to start the process.
New and returning Head Start families need to go to the Region 14 website www.esc14.net/page/cyl_my-headstart%20application.com to fill out a pre-registration form to qualify.
By Melinda L. Lucas
Even during unusual times like the current coronavirus pandemic, regular blood donations are needed in order to ensure the continued adequacy of the supply at area hospitals, so Hendrick’s bloodmobile is in Albany on Thursday, June 25 for the regularly scheduled Kiwanis Club sponsored blood drive.
Hendrick Regional Blood Center will park its bloodmobile at First Baptist Church at the usual time from 1:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m.
By Lynsi Musselman
Over the past two weeks Shackelford County residents have seen five wildfires light up local pastures.
Shackelford County Rural Volunteer Fire Department secretary Kristy Brooker said approximately 2,000 acres have burned since June 9.
A blaze designated as the “Buffalo Fire” started the streak of fires that burned two uninhabited structures and several outbuildings on Kelly and Sara Head’s property and spread to other nearby properties, including the Leech’splace.
By Lynsi Musselman
The Old Jail Art Center opened to members by appointment only on Tuesday, June 16.
OJAC director Pat Kelly said there have only been a few members visit the museum so far.
“A low number of visitors to start out is what we expected,” Kelly said. “We were hoping for a slow process to get a plan in place for when we open to the public,” Kelly said.
OJAC will open to all visitors beginning Wednesday, July 1. Visitor hours will be 12:30 to 4:30 p.m.
Parents of seniors who will be in the Albany High School Class of 2021 are asked to attend a meeting on Sunday afternoon, June 28 in the AHS auditorium.
According to secondary counselor Jenny Scott, the special meeting will start at 2:00 p.m., with social distancing to be observed.
Masks are encouraged but not required, Scott said.
“Graduation requirements, the college application process, dual credit courses, and your senior’s course selection will be discussed during this time,” she said. “We hope to see you there.”
By Donnie A. Lucas
In contrast with recent statewide data, Shackelford County residents are still holding the COVID-19 virus at bay with no new tests administered during the past week.
County judge Robert Skelton reported Monday that a total of 31 tests have been administered since mid-March, and all have returned negative.
The single positive case that was recorded in the county, which was tested for in a neighboring county, was released from quarantine several weeks ago.
Albany News customers should be on the lookout for a couple of changes over the next few weeks.
Both readers and advertisers are asked to be aware that no newspaper will be published, either in print or online, during the week of July 6.
“There will not be an edition on Thursday, July 9,” said News editor Melinda Lucas. “We hope we’re giving everyone ample notice that we’re going to take that week off to spend time with our families.”
This is only the third time in 43 years of Lucas ownership that there hasn’t been a weekly paper.
By Lynsi Musselman
Due to the coronavirus, the primary run-off elections originally scheduled for May 26 were postponed to July 14 by Gov. Greg Abbott’s proclamation back in March, with early voting for Shackelford County residents to get underway at the courthouse next Monday, June 29.
The last day to early vote in person for the primary run-off will be Friday, July 10.
Shackelford County clerk Cheri Hawkins said that the courthouse will be open during lunch hours for the early voting period to help reduce the number of voters coming in at the same time.
By Lynsi Musselman
The Albany Chamber of Commerce is hosting a scavenger hunt to encourage residents to get involved with the history of Shackelford County.
“Just because we aren’t having Fandangle show nights does not mean residents cannot explore the history of the county,” said Chamber manager Mary Beth Jones.
Jones said to visit the website https://atlas.thctexas.gov/ and click on county, enter Shackelford, then uncheck all options but historical markers.
“There are 47 historical markers in Shackelford County,” she said.
By Donnie A. Lucas
Only one new -COVID-10 test was administered in Shackelford County in the last week, bringing the total number to 31 since the pandemic began in March.
According to a county website, 30 of the 31 tests given over the last three months have been negative, with one test result still pending as of Monday.
The county recorded only one positive case back in April, which has long since been cleared and the person released from home isolation. That test was administered in a neighboring county.
