By Donnie A. Lucas

The number of local residents testing positive for the COVID-19 virus reached 21 over the last two weeks, with a total of 79 tests administered.

The results are the combined totals from both the Shackelford County Hospital Clinic and the Albany ResourceCare Clinic, for the period of Aug. 2 through Aug. 13.

Shackelford County Judge Robert Skelton issued an update on Tuesday for the two-week period, and results for the first two days of this week from the hospital district clinic were also added to the totals.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Albany ISD is expecting just over 500 students at the start of this school year, about the number the district ended with in May.

Following “Meet the Teacher” sessions at both Nancy Smith Elementary and the Albany Junior/Senior High campuses on Monday evening, local administrators were looking for a total of 501 total students to show up for classes yesterday for the first day of school.

To address long-standing care problems in long-term facilities that were exacerbated by COVID, the Texas Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program needs volunteers to serve as advocates for individuals living in nursing and assisted living facilities. 

Ombudsmen educate residents, families, and facility staff and protect the health, safety, welfare, and rights of residents. Services are free and confidential.

By Melinda L. Lucas

A Shackelford County man was arrested just outside of Cisco after a high speed chase last Thursday, Aug. 5 and is currently being held in the Shackelford County Law Enforcement Center on a $500,000 bond.

Jerry Lee McGough, 50, of Moran was charged with aggravated sexual assault of a child, as well as with felony evading with a motor vehicle.

According to county sheriff Ed Miller, his office, along with the Texas Ran­gers had been investigating McGough for about a week, and a warrant was issued for his arrest on Wednesday, Aug. 4.

By Sidney Bartee

Citizens of Moran will hold their annual garage sale on Saturday, Sept. 4, beginning at 7:00 a.m.

The deadline for community members to register a sale is 12:00 noon on Thursday, Sept. 2.

According to community volunteer Michelle Taggart, there is no cost for Moran residents to sign up.

“After community members sign up, I will put numbered signs in their yards, and then pick them up after the sale is over,” Taggart said. 

Maps and lists will be available on the day of the sale at the Moran Community Center.

By Sam Waller

The faculty and staff of the Moran Independent School District got a jumpstart on in-service training by participating in team-building activities at Tarleton State University in Stephenville.

“We got off to an awesome start,” Moran superintendent Dr. John Denson said. “We participated in activities on (Tarleton’s) Challenge Course and kind of came together as a team to start the year.”

Denson said the purpose of the exercise was to help staff members get to know each other better and learn to support one another.

By Sidney Bartee

Members of the Ragin’ Red Band are hosting a Community Night, scheduled for the last evening of summer band rehearsals, Monday, Aug. 16, with a special program beginning at 8:00 p.m. at Robert Nail Memorial Stadium.

The AHS musicians will perform everything they’ve been working on throughout the last couple of weeks, including marching and playing the opener of their 2021 show, warm-ups and drills, and stand tunes.

Band members will be introduced and recognized for their hard work, said band director Will Vaughan.

By Sidney Bartee

The show will go on for CareFest 2021 on Aug. 28.

The event will feature nine well-known musicians and bands.

CareFest will take place at Happy Wife Happy Life Wedding and Event Venue outside of Albany.

The bands and musicians for this year are Roger Creager, Stoney Larue, Giovannie and the Hired Guns, Dylan Wheeler, Shea Abshier, Randy Brown, 360 Band, Cole Barnhill, and Jeff Martin.

The bands will begin to hit the stage at 2:00 p.m.

Three ticket options are available to purchase.

By Sidney Bartee

The United Pentecostal Church’s annual Back to School Bash will be held on Saturday, Aug.21 at the church on Cook Field Road, beginning at 10:00 a.m.

All students from kindergarten through 12th grade are invited to attend the celebration along with their friends and families.

After music and prayer time, a hot dog meal will be served in the Family Life Center.

There will be games and drawings, with several gift cards to be given to different age groups.

School supplies will also be given out to students.

By Sidney Bartee

Several Albany churches traditionally hold special events during the transition from summer to the start of the school year, but due to COVID and other changes, many churches have not been able to hold their usual events.

Wednesday night youth groups will start for many churches in Sept.

Church of Christ

The Church of Christ will begin Wednesday night classes on Sept. 1.

The Youth in Action kids, which is junior high and high school age, will meet from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.