By Melinda L. Lucas
Fun and facts about Greece will kick off the Old Jail Art Center’s annual summer camps for kids next Wednesday, Aug. 3, with three spots open for students in grades 1-6.
There are also two openings for the Aug. 9 safari camp for grades 1-3.
Participants need to be registered for the remaining places for the on-site events by this Friday, July 29, according to OJAC education director Erin Whitmore.
By Donnie A. Lucas
School safety has come to the forefront in Albany and across the state over the summer due to a directive issued by the governor to the Texas Education Agency following a mass shooting at Uvalde ISD in May that left 19 students and two teachers dead.
Albany school officials have spent a considerable amount of time this summer conducting a targeted safety audit that largely focuses on access to school buildings.
By Melinda L. Lucas
A couple of big budget projects, both delayed for several years, moved up a few steps during Monday’s Shackelford County commissioners meeting, with significant progress reported on the Caldwell Lane Bridge, as well as a “partial bid” accepted to rebuild the deteriorating Courthouse parking lot.
In addition, the audit for the year ending September 2021 was accepted, and commissioners agreed that the Courthouse would be closed this Friday, July 29 for work on the “chiller.”
Caldwell Lane Bridge
By Sam Waller
Three performers with Albany roots will be part of the lineup for this year’s CareFest lineup, and through this Sunday, July 31, tickets are available at a discount, with VIP tickets already sold out.
The music festival, a fundraiser for Resource Care outreach programs, is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 27 at Happy Wife Happy Life Wedding and Events Venue.
“A huge thank you goes out to our sponsors who make this possible,” ResourceCare’s Ragan Riley said. “We are looking forward to our most successful CareFest yet.”
By Melinda L. Lucas
An Albany blood drive is set for today, July 28.
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 depends on volunteer blood donors to supply 100 percent of the blood that is used for patient care at 17 area hospitals.
Blood center officials said that there is always a need for blood donors of all types. In particular, officials said those who have O+ and O- are needed.
By Sam Waller
After two false starts, Shackelford County 4-H held a STEM camp session Tuesday, July 26 at The Feed Store.
Shackelford County extension agent Kelsey Bell said 12 students attended the session for science, technology, engineering, and math.
Sessions scheduled for the previous two weeks had to be cancelled because of low registration, staffing issues, and COVID-19 concerns.
Bell said efforts to add another session before the start of school did not work out.
By Sam Waller
Deadline to register students for ResourceCare’s Adopt-A-Buddy program is Friday, Aug. 5.
The Adopt-A-Buddy program helps provide school supplies for Shackelford County children.
Application forms are available at the front desk at the Resource Center. Forms should be returned to ResourceCare by the end of the workday on Aug. 5.
The Adopt-A-Buddy program benefits not just elementary students, but junior high and high school ages can also apply.
By Donnie A. Lucas
Summer band practice started in earnest this week, with the band pit and drum line meeting in the afternoon, followed by the brass and woodwinds starting at 6:00 p.m.
The band’s pit crew are meeting from 12:30 until 2:30 p.m. through Thursday (today), followed by the drum line at 3:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m.
By Melinda L. Lucas
Pick-up dates for the August distribution of the commodity food program provided by Shackelford County are Aug. 4-5.
Certified eligible families in Moran should pick up their monthly commodity food at the Moran City Hall between 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 4.
Albany families who have been certified as eligible for the June food distribution program may pick up their food on Friday, Aug. 5 from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. at the rear door of the JP office.
By Donnie A. Lucas
Registration for all Albany ISD students will open online beginning Monday, Aug. 1, with in-person registration available later in the week.
The district is once again using the Ascender Parent Portal for registration, with a link available on the district website. Parents are instructed to access the “Parents Sources” tab, then look for the Ascender Parent Portal.
