By Donnie A. Lucas

After a week of fewer positive test results just before Christmas, the number of COVID-19 cases rose again last week, according to a report issued by Shackelford County judge Robert Skelton on Monday.

For the week of Dec. 27-31, a total of 52 ­COVID-19 tests were administered at the local testing sites, with 18 positive cases reported.

Only five positive cases were reported for the week of Dec. 20-24 out of the 25 tests administered.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Just a couple of days before Christmas, almost $12,000 was still needed to reach the Albany Community Chest’s 2021 record goal of $46,000.

Then, with last-minute reminder cards in the mail and local residents winding up their year-end giving, the campaign surged, and a report earlier this week showed that contributions had moved well over the 100 percent mark. 

By Donnie A. Lucas

The filing period for local elections to  various entities such as the school board, city council, and hospital board will begin Wednesday, Jan. 19.

The election date set by the state for all local elections is Saturday, May 7.

Candidates will have 30 days to sign up for spots on one of the local boards or councils, with the filing deadline set for Friday, Feb. 18 at 5:00 p.m.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Volunteer Fire Department presented Chief Travis Gardenhire with the 2021 Firefighter of the Year merit award at its annual Christmas party and meeting on Monday, Dec. 6.

The annual award is voted on by department members to honor an individual whom they believe has best met the five following qualifications:

The firefighter must not be on probation.

The firefighter must have shown to be highly active in the department through meetings and fire/emergency calls.

By Sam Waller

The Old Jail Art Center is going straight from its holiday programs into planning its next big event, the Jewel of the Prairie gala fundraiser in February.

Current exhibits will close Jan. 29, the Lunar New Year Family Festival will be Feb. 5, and new exhibits will open Feb. 26 in conjunction with the gala.

The Old Jail hosted a holiday family festival last Saturday and also brought the Peeler-Rose Puppet Shows back to the museum earlier this month.  

After a brief break for the holidays, weekly programs will start back in January.

By Sam Waller

A Shackelford County landmark was damaged and a well-traveled road in the county cut off just before Thanksgiving.

The Landreth Dam bridge has been closed to traffic since Nov. 23, when an excavator collided with the crossbeam of each portal, cutting off access to the southeastern part of the county by that route.

The bridge, located about 11 miles east of Albany on FM 601 at Hubbard Creek, is of historical significance, according to Texas Department of Transportation’s Glenn Allbritton.

By Melinda L. Lucas

The start of a new year is a time for celebrating, and local emergency responders remind county residents to make sure that any fireworks used in the festivities are handled safely and legally. 

Dry conditions and high winds have sparked the county commissioners to continue the county burn ban, with several wildfires fought by local and area volunteers in the past month. 

By Sam Waller

Shackelford County FFA and 4-H members are in the final month of getting animals ready for the county stock show, and members of the Shackelford County Youth and Livestock Association are doing their parts to make the event a success.

Members of the association met Dec. 7. to discuss plans for the show, which is scheduled for Jan. 20-22 at the county show barn.

Moran ISD offices and schools are closed for the holiday break.

Teachers and staff will return to work on Monday, Jan. 3, with a staff development day.

Classes resume on Tuesday, Jan. 4.

School holidays are scheduled for Monday, Jan, 17, and Friday, Jan. 21. The end of the six weeks is Friday, Feb. 11.

By Sam Waller

After a slow fall dove season, the outlook for the winter season is also disappointing for outdoorsmen, according to game warden Jacob Mort.

The winter season opened Dec. 17 and runs through Jan. 2.

“Everything as far as hunting migratory birds is below average this year,” Mort said. “It’s been pretty sporadic. There was a week or two there during the first part of October that was pretty good, but other than that, it’s just been a below-average year.”

Mort said a number of factors have contributed to the lower bird count.