By Sam Waller The Moran Independent School District began classes Monday with 114 students enrolled from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. “It was great,” Moran ISD superintendent Dr. John Denson said. “Everything ran to plan. The kids all seemed glad to be here, and the teachers were, too.

Bette Lu Linahan, 65, passed away on Friday, Aug. 20, 2021 with her family by her side in Abilene, Texas. A graveside service will be held at 10:00 a.m.  Saturday, Aug. 28, at the Round Mound Cemetery under the direction of Bailey Howard Funeral Home of Clyde.  Bette was born Aug.

By Donnie A. Lucas Albany ISD is expecting just over 500 students at the start of this school year, about the number the district ended with in May.

By Donnie A. Lucas The number of local residents testing positive for the COVID-19 virus reached 21 over the last two weeks, with a total of 79 tests administered.

By Melinda L. Lucas Tickets for the Oct. 9 Friends of Fort Griffin Gala featuring Larry, Steve, & Rudy: The Gatlin Brothers. The $50 tickets are limited to 300 seats, with response to the announcement two weeks ago even speedier than expected.

By Melinda L. Lucas During their regular session on Aug. 16, Albany ISD’s board of trustees set a date for a special meeting to adopt the 2021-2022 budget and set a tax rate. The board plans a 7:30 a.m. meeting on Tuesday, Aug.

By Melinda L. Lucas Following a series of budget workshops over the past month, Shackelford County commissioners met in a regular session on Monday morning, Aug. 16 to propose a deficit budget for the fiscal year that starts Oct.

By Melinda L. Lucas Directors of the Shackelford County Hospital District met Monday with the intention of proposing a budget and tax rate for the 2022 year, but left after almost four hours with plans to work on the numbers again in a couple of weeks.

By Sidney Bartee Nine artists are set to hit the stage for CareFest 2021 on Aug. 28 at Happy Wife Happy Life wedding and event venue. The gates will open to the public at 1:00 p.m., and bands will begin to play at 2:00 p.m.

By Sam Waller Shackelford County residents applying for FEMA Individual Assistance following February’s winter storm can get help in filing their claims from members of the Albany Lions Club, with a deadline of Monday, Aug. 23.  Claims can be filed by calling 1-800-621-3362.