By Sandy Morris

The Moran Independent School District will be closed for the Christmas break through Friday, Jan. 1. Classes will resume at their regular time on Monday, Jan. 4.

Lady Bulldog 

Basketball

The varsity girls basketball team traveled to Graford on Friday, Dec. 15. The Lady Bulldogs came up short losing 47-19, bringing their record to 0-5.

Dariann Hawley was Moran’s leading scorer with 15 points, followed by Emily Murk and Chloe Hendricks with two points each.

William Prestridge Hallman, Jr. (“Bill”), a beloved husband, devoted father, benevolent curmudgeon, respected lawyer, and incomparable friend, died from complications of cancer at home surrounded by family on Nov. 30, 2020. 

He left with no regrets, having lived a life of love, friendship, travel, meaningful work, and generous service. His steadfast moral compass and excellent judgment were invaluable to many people and organizations in the Fort Worth community and beyond.

Obbie Lee Cunningham, 65, of Clyde died Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2020 in an Abilene hospital. A graveside service was held Saturday, Dec. 19, at the Albany Cemetery with Jonathan Jarratt officiating under the direction of Bailey Howard Funeral Home of Clyde. 

Obbie was born Oct. 28, 1955 in Breckenridge to Obbie Thomas and Inous Marie (Dillard) Cunningham. He graduated from Albany High School and then attended Cisco Junior College. 

By Sandy Morris

What began as a call for erratic driving turned into the detention of 20 undocumented immigrants on Sunday afternoon, Dec. 13.

According to Albany Chief of Police Mike House, the local dispatch received a call of a possible intoxicated driver. 

APD officer Mark Purpura was in the area and according to House, observed the reported truck almost strike another vehicle from behind. 

Purpura initiated a traffic stop for following too close to another vehicle and pulled the truck over in the Prairie Star parking lot. 

By Sandy Morris

Each December on National Wreaths Across America Day, wreath-laying ceremonies are coordinated across the United States, at sea and abroad, to coincide with the main ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery, and arrangements have been made for a local ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 19 at 11:00 a.m.

The brief ceremony will be held at the pavilion at the Albany Cemetery before the wreaths are placed on the graves. 

By Melinda L. Lucas

Although the official report from the Texas Department of State Health Services does not yet reflect it, Albany experienced its first COVID-related death last week, a man in his 60s, reportedly with no underlying health conditions.

“Any death of a citizen is tragic, but this forces us to see firsthand the severe threat of this virus,” said Albany mayor Susan Montgomery. “We are so saddened by this death of an Albany resident. Once again, please be a good citizen and neighbor and do everything to protect to yourself and others.”  

By Melinda L. Lucas

Lynsi Musselman was appointed to the Albany city council at their regular December meeting on Monday, Dec. 14.

Musselman will fill the remaining months of Carolyn Waller’s term, serving under the appointment until May 2021.

Waller, whose resignation was accepted in November, died last week after a brief illness. She had been a city council member for nine years.

Albany mayor Susan Montgomery expressed condolences to Waller’s family, as well as for the family of city employee David Thompson, who also died last week.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The Cubs and Lady Cubs split games against Anson on Monday, with the seventh grade boys and the White team girls both earning wins.

All four squads will take a three-week break for the Christmas holidays, returning to action on Thursday, Jan. 7. The girls will be on the road playing at Abilene Christian School, while the boys will host ACS. Games at both locations will start at 5:30 p.m.

Lady Cubs Games

The girls Red team, playing at home, lost to Anson on Monday, 24-9, dropping to 3-2 for the season.

By Sandy Morris

The Moran Lady Bulldogs varsity basketball team traveled to Kopperl on Tuesday, Dec. 8, which was a change in the original schedule due to COVID issues. 

The girls came up short, losing 34-32. 

Dariann Hawley was the leading scorer with 14 points, with 12 of her points coming from three-point shots. 

Hannah Noble added nine points, Hannah Rogers had five, and Emily Murk had four. 

The Lady Bulldogs hosted Blackwell on Friday, Dec. 11, losing the contest 57-24. 

By Sandy Morris

The district-wide canned food drive competition hosted by the Moran junior and senior classes will wrap up on Friday, Dec. 18. 

The class with the most donations will be announced after the Christmas break. 

All donations will be delivered to local needy families. 

Christmas Holiday

Schedule

The Moran Independent School District will dismiss classes for the Christmas break on Friday, Dec. 20. 

The students will be dismissed at the regular time that day.