Census forms dropped off

By Lynsi Musselman

Get ready to be counted. 

The U.S. Census Bureau began to drop off 2020 Census questionnaire packets at the front doors of households in the Albany area on Wednesday, May 27. 

U.S. Census Bureau Media Representative for Lubbock Brenda MacDonald explained hand delivering of census materials is done where the majority of households do not receive their mail at their physical address.

The Bureau began the hand delivery operation in March but had to suspend all fieldwork due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Albany News

Chamber meetings to start

By Lynsi Musselman

As Albany organizations, along with other parts of the country, begin to relax strict social distancing measures,  members of the Albany Chamber of Commerce will start back to in-person meetings on Tuesday, June 2.

The next merchants meeting will be held at Vintage Vanilla at 9:00 a.m., and the June board meeting will be held at the Prairie Star Cookshack at 12:00 p.m.

Chamber manager Mary Beth Jones said Chamber lunches will resume on Friday, June 12, with the location to be determined at the board meeting and announced next week.

Albany News

Library to be open on Mondays

By Lynsi Musselman

After much anticipation, the Shackelford County Library will reopen on Mondays only, starting June 1 from 1:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Albany Study Club member Janna Ledbetter said the library will be limited to four patrons at a time. Gloves will be provided by the library to wear, and a face covering from home will be required to be worn while readers are inside the building.

Britting earns ASU degree

Levi Britting of Albany earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Angelo State University at its spring 2020 ceremony.

A 2016 honor graduate of Albany High School, he is the son of Rod and Susan Britting and Kristi Espinosa.

Britting was among 571 students who received undergraduate degrees from Angelo State University.

Albany News

Senior adult center still on hold

By Lynsi Musselman

Albany senior citizens are still waiting for the green light to meet in their new activity center.

Shackelford County Senior Citizen Activity Center board president Tracy Sullivan said because of coronavirus fears, there is no opening date set for the new activity center located at 5 South Jacobs Street.

Eventually, the center will be open Monday through Fridays from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Sullivan said the center will provide a gathering place for senior citizens to  meet for fellowship and drink coffee.

Albany News

Local girls qualify for finals

By Lynsi Musselman

After a winter and spring of cancelled events for high school students, the Texas High School Rodeo Association finals will take place in Abilene June 7 to 13 at the Taylor County Coliseum.

Three Albany High School students qualified to represent Region III in a modified version of past years’ events. 

Junior Addie Beth Denton and seniors Mady Connally and Gracie LeMay will compete Monday, June 9 in two go-rounds of competition.

Academic awards clarified

By Lynsi Musselman

The Albany Academic Booster Club recently handed out $6,700 in 23 academic scholarships for two separate programs that reward local seniors for success on the SAT and ACT college entrance exams.

Top Scores

The Booster Club awarded $4,500 to students who shared the highest scores in a program called “Top Scores.”

Booster Club members Tamara Trail and Darla Cotter explained that traditionally, these competitive awards are meant to honor the three students with highest scores on the ACT exam and on the SAT exam. 

Albany News

Weekly golf scrambles resume

By Lynsi Musselman

With summer arriving and state restrictions easing up, golf in Albany is getting back into full swing.

The annual Father’s Day golf tournament will take place June 20-21, after many wondered if it would get to be played at all.

Tee times on Saturday include morning spots at 8:30 a.m. and afternoon tee offs at 1:30 p.m.

The tournament will have a three-person scramble format, and the tournament fee is $210 per team.

Moran seniors to receive diplomas

By Lynsi Musselman

Seven Moran seniors will receive high school diplomas at commencement exercises Friday, May 29 at 7:00 p.m. in the Moran ISD gymnasium courtyard.

Honor graduates include valedictorian November Meredith and salutatorian Harley Schafer.

Other members of the Moran High School Class of 2020 are Charles Andrew Farner, Jim Tom Holland, Raygan Mendez, Cody Rucker, and Jonas Sotelo.

The ceremony will begin with a procession of the seven seniors to Pomp and Circumstance.

OJAC opening still unsure

By Lynsi Musselman

The Old Jail Art Museum is still temporarily closed, but the facility is not short on virtual activities to educate learners of all ages.

Each Thursday at 3:30 p.m., a five minute “OJAC tiny-tour” will be posted on the OJAC’s website and Facebook page. New tours will post each Thursday until June 25. 

The virtual tour gives a sneak peak from the museum vault and galleries. Visitors also receive insider information from the OJAC’s docents and staff members.

Albany News