To address long-standing care problems in long-term facilities that were exacerbated by COVID, the Texas Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program needs volunteers to serve as advocates for individuals living in nursing and assisted living facilities.
Ombudsmen educate residents, families, and facility staff and protect the health, safety, welfare, and rights of residents. Services are free and confidential.
By Donnie A. Lucas
After going weeks, even months, without a single positive COVID-19 case, eight positive cases have been reported locally by one of the two local clinics.
The Shackelford County Hospital District Clinic has administered 25 tests since July 19, with eight positive results.
Results from the Resource Care Clinic in Albany showed that eight tests were given, but there were no positive cases.
Both local clinics offer testing for the coronavirus, and both have vaccines available to administer.
By Sidney Bartee
An Albany blood drive is set for today, Aug. 5.
Hendrick Regional Blood Center will park the bloodmobile at First Baptist Church at the usual time from 1:00 to 6:00 p.m.
The blood center offers COVID-19 antibody testing at no charge to those who successfully donate.
The blood center depends on volunteer blood donors to supply 100 percent of the blood that is used for patient care at 17 area hospitals.
The Kiwanis Club blood drives are scheduled roughly every eight weeks throughout the year.
By Donnie A. Lucas
Online registration is continuing for both school campuses this week with a number of students still not signed up to the upcoming school year.
At the end of the first of two in-person registration sessions held Monday and Tuesday, almost 70 percent of secondary students had registered, while the elementary numbers were just over half.
“It seems to be going well at our campus,” secondary principal Glen Hill said on Tuesday. “We have had several new students come in and things were really busy on Monday.”
By Donnie A. Lucas
All the gold will definitely not be in California come Oct. 9.
A big chunk of it will be at the Friends of Fort Griffin Gala at Collins Creek Ranch when Larry, Steve & Rudy: The Gatlin Brothers present a special performance as the highlight of the annual fundraising event that benefits the historical site.
Susan Waller, event coordinator for the Friends of Fort Griffin, confirmed that the Gatlins have been booked for the Oct. 9 event.
By Sidney Bartee
The City of Albany will test the emergency warning siren at 12:00 noon on Wednesday, Aug. 11, as it does the second Wednesday of every month, depending on the weather.
The tests keep citizens familiar with the three warning sounds, and they are also used to make sure that the siren, computer, software, and radios are working correctly.
The siren should sound one of the three emergency tones at noon on that day, but the siren is not tested if the weather is questionable, according to local fire chief Travis Gardenhire.
By Sidney Bartee
Several members of Albany FFA have been attending multiple cattle prospect shows across the state during the summer, with their efforts paying off with some top spots and awards.
The prospect shows are held to prepare beef projects for major shows held in the fall and winter.
The most recent show was the Show Steer Nationals in Abilene, with more than 800 steer projects entered from all over the United States.
By Donnie A. Lucas
The News has hired veteran sportswriter Sam Waller as a staff member effective with this week’s edition.
Waller, 57, brings a wealth of reporting experience along with his 32-year newspaper career.
“We are really excited that Sam was available and the circumstances were right to allow us to have him join our staff,” editor Melinda Lucas said. “We were looking for a part-time writer to replace someone who left in June, and Sam was looking for a part-time position.”
By Sam Waller
For the past two decades, ResourceCare’s Adopt-a-Buddy program has helped make sure in-need students in Shackelford County are supplied with the school supplies they are required to have for the start of a new school year.
This year’s supply packages will be distributed from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 12 at the Albany Youth Center, according to ResourceCare case manager Makenzie Marshall.
While ResourceCare has this year’s supplies ready for distribution, Marshall said the program will continue to accept contributions.
By Sidney Bartee
The Albany Chamber of Commerce annual garage sale will take place on Saturday, Sept. 11.
Chamber manager Mary Beth Jones said participants can register to get on the map between Aug. 17 and Sept. 3.
To be registered, included on the map, and receive a sign will cost $10.
“Signs will not need to be returned anymore,” Jones said. “The signs will be metal or plastic, but you cannot use them every year, as they will include your map number.”
