By Sandy Morris

The December distribution of the commodity food program originally scheduled for today, Dec. 3 and tomorrow, Dec. 4 has been cancelled. 

According to Shackelford County Justice of the Peace James Breeden, there are more risks than benefits with distributing the commodities this month. 

“We feel that with the COVID risk and the general age of the commodity recipients, along with the colder weather, it is in everyone’s best interest to cancel this month’s food distribution,” he said.

By Sandy Morris

In an effort to prevent any spread of COVID among Moran ISD faculty and students, the decision was made to cancel all in-person instruction for the week of Nov. 30 through Dec. 4. 

According to Moran ISD superintendent Danny Freeman, this was a precautionary decision.

“We’ve had several faculty members who have tested positive,  which put them into quarantine for 14 days,” said Freeman. “If we have no new exposures or outbreaks, we plan to resume face-to-face instruction on Monday, Dec. 7.”

By Sandy Morris

There are still plenty of opportunities to help neighbors in need during the Christmas season, including the rescheduled annual meal that benefits the Toys for Tots program.

Albany High School National Honor Society members will be working with Marine Staff Sergeant Doug Beaty Beaty in hosting a drive-through barbecue sandwich lunch fundraiser this Sunday, Dec. 6, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Albany Chamber of Commerce parking lot.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Usually mailed by the end of October, tax statements for Shackelford County property owners are just now showing up because of a data delay from Callahan County.

According to Shackelford County Appraisal District (SCAD) chief appraiser Clayton Snyder, the local staff waited for about six weeks for the portion of Moran ISD that is in Callahan County.

Once the correct information was received, the statement files were uploaded electronically to a mailing company for processing and distribution.

By Sandy Morris

Albany Chest board members knew that 2020 would provide some fundraising challenges, but with less than one month left in the annual Albany Chest campaign and many more contributions needed in order to meet the 2020 goal of $41,000, they are worried. 

The goal was set by the directors at the start of the campaign after they reviewed the submitted funding requests from 25 organizations. 

The total donated as of Tuesday, Dec. 1 was $13,735, which is the same total as last week. 

By Sandy Morris

 Albany ISD Junior High and Nancy Smith Elementary students are scheduled to compete in various UIL academic events on Tuesday, Dec. 8. 

This year, all events will be conducted locally with no outside audiences allowed. 

Junior high UIL coordinator Melanie Anderson said contests will be run the same even though they are being held locally.

“All UIL rules and time limits remain the same,” said Anderson. 

By Sandy Morris

It wouldn’t be Christmas without the annual band concert to get everyone in the holiday spirit.

The sixth grade, seventh grade and high school bands will be performing on Thursday, Dec. 10 in the high school auditorium.

The sixth grade band will perform first at 6:30 p.m. and will be playing Jingle Bells and Jolly Old St. Nick. 

The seventh grade band will follow at 7:15 p.m. and will perform Jingle Bells, The Spirit of St. Nick, and African Noel. 

By Sandy Morris

Activities for 4-H and FFA members increase as the year-end approaches.

 4-H Shooting Sports

The Shackelford County 4 –H Club will be hosting a shooting sports meeting next Tuesday, Dec. 8 at 5:45 p.m. at First Christian Church. 

Shackelford County Extension Agent Kloey Painter said all of the shooting sports options will be discussed at the meeting.

“We will introduce coaches and go over important information for the shooting sports season,” said Painter.

4-H Christmas Party

By Sandy Morris

Members of the AJSH Academic Booster Club’s “Rise and Shine” committee are inviting the public to “adopt” a local teacher.

“The committee has created a teacher/staff Christmas wish list event,” said Rise and Shine Committee member Heather Brown. “This is a great opportunity to encourage the teachers/staff who love, care for, and educate our students each and every day.”

Due to COVID-19 regulations, the methods to get wish lists out to the public have been revised. 

By Sandy Morris

The 2020 Believe Tree for Teens applications have been received and have been disbursed among several local churches.

Ministerial Alliance secretary Tisha Wilkins said the total number of applications submitted was down this year. 

“We had a total of 43 teen applications,” said Wilkins. “Of those 43, 28 were from Albany and 15 were from Moran.”

Ornaments with the teens’ wish lists can be found at First Methodist Church, Friendship Baptist Church, First Baptist Church, First Christian Church, and the Church of Christ.