By Donnie A. Lucas
The number of positive COVID-19 test results rose last week to 27, according to a report issued by Shackelford County judge Bob Skelton.
A total of 66 tests were administered at the three local testing sites, with a combined total of 27 positive results during Nov. 29 through the Dec. 3 window.
The Shackelford County Health Clinic also reported giving an additional 12 positive results on Monday of this week alone.
By Sam Waller
Twenty-seven winners, including two multiple winners, were announced Tuesday morning in a drawing for 1,500 Albany Bucks conducted by the Albany Chamber of Commerce.
Lucy Carter was drawn three times, winning 150 Albany Bucks, and Sandy Shirley won twice in the drawing held at Vintage Vanilla.
Chamber manager Mary Beth Jones posted a video of the drawing on Facebook.
“I’ll also call people to let them know they’ve won,” Jones said.
Drawings on Friday, Dec. 17 will be conducted in three groups of 10 with a short break in between.
By Donnie A. Lucas
Several local candidates for the March 1 primary elections officially completed the filing process on Tuesday, well ahead of the Dec. 13 filing deadline.
Two prospective candidates who picked up the required paperwork had yet to turn in their petitions and applications to get on the ballot for a county post.
Offices up for reelection this cycle include county judge, county and district clerk, county treasurer, justice of the peace, and two county commissioner positions.
The filing period will close at 6:00 p.m. on Monday.
Johney Ray Alexander, age 63 Albany, passed away Friday, Dec. 3, 2021. Graveside funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 9 at Albany Cemetery.
Johney Ray Alexander was born Sept. 17, 1958 in Albany at the old hospital to William Alfred Alexander and Betty Jean McKee Alexander.
He had a passion for fishing, going to the casino and playing bingo. He also enjoyed hunting, wolves, and eagles.
Johney was preceded in death by his father, Alfred Alexander; and one nephew, James Alexander.
By Sam Waller
The Moran Independent School District has welcomed four new faculty members for the 2021-22 school year, including three who are in their first year as full-time teachers.
New faculty members are Minnie Denson, Alyssa Gregg, Kassiah Hudson, and Bryce Hughes.
Minnie Denson
At the high school level, Denson has taken over as agriculture teacher and FFA advisor. Denson graduated in May from Texas A&M–Commerce with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture Science and Technology with a teacher certification option.
By Sam Waller
More than two dozen Moran elementary and junior high students competed in the district UIL academic meet on Tuesday and Wednesday at Cross Plains.
The competition actually began on Nov. 18 with students submitting entries for chess puzzle and ready writing events.
Moran principal Jo Hise said this week’s competition included speaking events on Tuesday. Contests for music memory, spelling, number sense, art smart, dictionary skills, listening skills, and maps, graphs and charts were held Wednesday.
By Sam Waller
Scheduling conflicts have created several changes to the Moran high school and junior high basketball schedules in addition to creating a like number of headaches for athletic director John Hughes.
Tuesday’s scheduled varsity home games against Three Way were cancelled because Three Way had double booked and played a different opponent.
By Sam Waller
Moran ISD has performed renovation work to its gymnasium as the facility nears a century of existence.
The gym was constructed in 1935-37 by the Works Project Administration, one of Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal programs.
“It’s a special place,” Moran superintendent Dr. John Denson said. “Some of the board members who graduated here talk about playing basketball in that gym 50 years ago. I’m told the floor is made out of pecan, and the building is solid rock.”
Work included replacing wood window sashes and metal coverings for lower windows.
By Melinda L. Lucas
Tickets for Friday’s state quarterfinal football playoff against Windthorst, to be played at 7:00 p.m. in Graham’s Newton Field, must be purchased online by going to grahamisd.org and clicking on “Tickets” or by following the link on the Albany Athletic Booster Club’s Facebook page.
Passes will be accepted, but no tickets will be sold at the gate, according to Graham officials.
By Sam Waller
The Albany Junior High basketball teams split four games Monday against Hawley, winning one girls and one boys contest.
At home, the Lady Cubs Red team won 44-17, while the White team lost 30-12.
In boys action at Hawley, the eighth grade Cubs won 38-15, while the seventh graders lost 35-23. The boys Combo game was cancelled.
The junior high teams return to action Monday, Dec. 6, against Hamlin. The girls teams will again play at home with the boys on the road for the third consecutive week.
Girls Red Team
