By Sam Waller

The Albany Ministerial Alliance’s Christmas Basket food drive is moving forward with the food order being placed earlier this week.

“Brookshire’s has always been very gracious in helping us get food ordered in the past,” Ministerial Alliance secretary Tisha Wilkins said.

The annual program strives to provide a box filled with ingredients needed for a traditional holiday meal to families in need of assistance.

The drive received 101 applicants this year with 41 in Albany, 35 in Moran and 25 through Vittles by Vehicles.

By Sam Waller

Among its other qualities, Shackelford County has become something of a magnet for law enforcement.

In addition to local agencies, Albany has attracted a number of state troopers who either live or work in the county.

There are currently nine active or former Department of Public Safety officers living or working in the county.

Former troopers are Shackelford County Judge Robert Skelton, Constable Xavier Perez, and Brian Waggoner of the Fort Griffin Special Utility District.

By Sam Waller

The next step in the Albany Ministerial Alliance’s Believe Tree for Teens program begins Saturday with trees distributed to local churches.

Six participating congregations – Mathews Memorial Presbyterian, First United Methodist, Maranatha Fellowship, First Baptist, First Christian, and Friendsahip Christian – will have trees with ornaments containing details for applicants.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Despite the shortened holiday work schedule last week, the number of ­COVID-19 tests administered continued to rise, according to a report issued by Shackelford County judge Bob Skelton.

A total of 45 tests were administered at the three testing locations in Albany, with a combined total of 16 positive results during Nov. 22-24. 

The Shackelford County Health Clinic also reported giving an additional 14 tests on Monday with 10 positive results.

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 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

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 Donnie A. Lucas

Several incumbents and two newcomers have started the process of filing for the May 1 primary elections, although none had officially completed the required paperwork as of press time on Monday.

The filing deadline for the 2022 primary elections is Dec. 13, with party candidates earning a place on the 2022 general election to be held Nov. 8.

Terms ending next year include the county and district clerk, county treasurer, justice of the peace, county judge, and two precinct commissioner’s posts.

By Sam Waller

The Lighted Christmas Parade will top off Albany’s Small Town Saturday celebration this weekend, wrapping up a full day of events and Christmas shopping in the downtown area.

“Just come out and celebrate Albany,” Albany Chamber of Commerce manager Mary Beth Jones said. “Celebrate everything we have to be thankful for because Albany is special.”

The festivities will include live music, drawings for Albany Bucks, sales of memorial Christmas ornaments, a visit from Santa Claus, and food service.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The number of positive COVID-19 test results increased slightly over the last week based on statistics from one of the three testing facilties, according to county judge Bob Skelton on Monday.

The Shackelford County Health Clinic reported 16 positive tests for last week, with another eight positives on Monday of this week.

Testing conducted at ResourceCare showed eight tests with no positives last week. The Shackelford County EMS will not have a report this week, Skelton said.