By Sam Waller

All seven players on the Moran volleyball team were honored with inclusion on the All-District 6-2A team.

Johnnie Hise was voted to the first team with Hannah Rogers being named to the second team.

Receiving honorable mention were Emily Murk, Harmony Slaughter, Alli Scott, Alyssa Allred, and Hannah Noble.

Hise and Rogers also earned academic all-district honors.

Lady Bulldog Action

The Moran Lady Bulldogs tipped off their basketball season Friday with a 39-27 home loss to Strawn.

By Sam Waller

Moran High School’s senior class presented a Veterans Day program last Thursday with each class member performing a separate part.

“We had two veterans attend and some family of other veterans attend,” principal Jo Hise said. “There were about 10 special guests.”

Thanksgiving Break

Moran Independent School District will dismiss classes for the Thanksgiving holiday on Friday.

School will be closed from Monday, Nov. 22, through Friday, Nov. 26. Classes will resume at the regular time on Monday, Nov. 29.

By Donnie A. Lucas

A sure sign that the holiday season is near, the annual bazaar hosted at Matthews Memorial Presbyterian Church is set for Saturday after a one-year lapse due to the pandemic.

The event has a storied history originating in 1900, missing fewer than a handful of years due to wars and pandemics.

The longtime tradition unofficially marks the beginning of the holiday season in Albany.

The doors will open at 10:00 a.m. to the Country Store, with the turkey and dressing lunch starting at 11:00 a.m.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Shackelford County veterans and families are invited to attend a Veterans Day celebration at the high school gym on Thursday (today) beginning at 11:00 a.m.

Several musical presentations are planned by various school groups including the third grade music classes, the Albany Fiddlers, and the high school band.

Almost 100 invitations were sent out to veterans and families inviting them to attend the ceremony that will recognize each veteran or spouse of a deceased veteran that is present.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The filing period for March 2022 primary elections officially opened on Saturday, Nov. 13, although the Shackelford County Courthouse will not be open until Monday, Nov. 15 for candidates to obtain the required paperwork.

Several county-wide offices and two precinct commissioners are up for election in 2022, with the deadline for candidates to file set on Monday, Dec. 13. Posts to be elected include county judge, county and district clerk, county treasurer, justice of the peace (county-wide position), and commissioners for Precincts 2 and 4.

By Melinda L. Lucas

An early deadline has been set for the Nov. 25 edition of The Albany News due to the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday and print schedule.

All advertising, including classified ads, and news copy must be received no later than noon on Monday, Nov. 22. 

The usual deadline for the weekly paper is Tuesday at 12:00 noon. It is being moved up a day in order to accommodate the printer’s schedule and also adjust the mailing schedule.

By Donnie A. Lucas

While the number of positive COVID-19 cases reported for last week remains lower than most  double-digit reports since August, there was a slight rise in positive results over the previous week.

A combined report from the three testing locations in Albany listed eight positive tests out of 26 tests conducted. Only five positive cases were listed the prior week.

The Shackelford County Health Clinic reported eight tests with four positives conducted on Monday of this week.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Shackelford County commissioners and elected officials met Monday, Nov. 8 to authorize the next step in purchasing new voting machines and also approved the repair of a damaged fire alarm panel at the Courthouse.

They plan to meet again this Friday, Nov. 12 to hear public comment concerning the proposed redistricting of the four county precincts.

The hearing is set for 9:00 a.m. Friday in the second floor courtroom.

The process is required by the state in order to equalize the populations within the four precincts.

By Sam Waller

Plans are gearing up to collect applications and funding for a number of local holiday programs, ranging from those providing for children through senior adults.

ResourceCare works hand in hand with Toys for Tots, asking community members to help them provide holiday presents to all of the local children.

The facility also coordinates the Adopt A Senior project, which is already well underway.

Information and applications are available at ResourceCare and other locations.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Albany city manager Billy Holson went through the city’s capital improvments budget, with the mid-term point in the fiscal year having passed recently.

The council  approved a five-year capital improvements plan along with the regular budget in March, which Holson explained would be adjusted continually as the city moves forward.

The plan includes future expenditures for the water plant, distribution system, wastewater department, streets, and other infrastructure.