By Sam Waller

Albany churches are will conduct special services in addition to holding more social activities as part of their Christmas celebrations in the coming week.

Friendship Baptist

Friendship Baptist Church will hold candlelight services at 10:30 a.m. this Sunday, Dec. 19.

Pastor Paul Johnston said Sunday School classes will not be held this week.

Trinity Lutheran

Trinity Lutheran Church will have a Christmas Eve Children’s service at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 24.

By Sam Waller

The Old Jail Art Center continues its tradition of celebrating Christmas around the world with a family festival on Saturday, Dec. 18.

“Las Posadas” will highlight Christmas celebrations in Mexico. Last year, the OJAC featured Italian holiday celebrations, and other nations have been spotlighted in past years.

The event, scheduled for 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Saturday, is the last of several special family festivals held during the year.

By Sam Waller

The Moran Bulldogs and Lady Bulldogs basketball teams both went 2-1 last weekend at the Lueders-Avoca tournament.

The Lady Bulldogs hosted Rotan on Tuesday while the boys played at Mullin. Results will be reported next week.

Moran wraps up play before the holiday break on Friday with a pair of home games. The girls play Knox City at 6:00 p.m. with the boys taking on Ranger at 7:30 p.m.

Both teams will play in the Gordon tournament Dec. 28-29.

Boys Games

By Sam Waller

Moran ISD will let out for the semester at 3:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 17. The school conducted semester tests earlier this week.

A staff development day is set for Monday, Jan. 3, with classes to resume on Tuesday, Jan. 4.

Denson said he is planning a lunch for the staff before classes resume.

“We’ll reflect on last semester, see what we can do better, and go on and finish out the year,” he said.

Winter Formal

By Sam Waller

Moran High School seniors Hannah Rogers and Johnnie Hise earned Meat Evaluation Certificates from the American Meat Science Association through the dual-credit advanced animal science class taught by Moran superintendent Dr. John Denson.

Denson said the certificates were awarded for demonstrating competencies in the areas of meat science principles, animal harvesting procedures, carcass and cuts evaluation, USDA beef grading, and retail cut fabrication and identification.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The number of positive COVID-19 cases continued to rise over the last week, with a total of 30 positives out of 72 tests administered, according to a report issued by county judge Bob Skelton.

The testing figures are for the week of Dec. 6-10. The total positives were up from 27 the week prior.

There were several more positive tests at the Shackelford County Health Clinic on Monday, but no firm numbers were reported.

By Sam Waller

A grass fire on the Stasney Ranch was contained to 190 acres on Friday, Dec. 10, as firefighters battled windy, dry conditions.

Chief Brad Henry of the Shackelford County Rural Volunteer Fire Department said the cause of the fire was undetermined, but firefighters were able to get it under control quickly despite the wind.

“It wasn’t as bad as some we’ve dealt with,” Henry said.

An October fire burned more than 18,600 acres across four ranches in Shackelford and Throckmorton counties.

By Sam Waller

Moran FFA students received four awards banners Monday at the Area IV FFA banquet at Taylor County Expo Center in Abilene.

Moran earned awards for a first place in Junior Creed Speaking and third in Junior Ag Skills at the Big Country District contest in November, as well as for Sweepstakes and eighth in Junior Creed Speaking at the Area IV contest.

It was the first time Moran FFA received such recognition since 2016.

Moran also received a plaque for finishing third in Junior Ag Skills at the Snyder LDE contest.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Christmas could come early for all Albany students if the Lion football team advances to the state championship game next week in Arlington.

Currently, students are scheduled to be in class next week, with early release days planned for Wednesday, Dec. 15 through Friday, Dec. 17 at 12:30 p.m. each day.

However, if the Lions win tonight and move to the championship game set for next Thursday in Arlington, the holiday release will move to Wednesday, Dec. 15 at 12:30 p.m.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Veterans in the Albany Cemetery will once again be honored during the National Wreaths Across America Day scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 18, with local volunteers meeting for a brief ceremony prior to placing the 525 wreaths out across the cemetery.

The ceremony will start at 11:00 a.m. at the pavilion at the Albany Cemetery, followed by volunteers and family members laying the wreaths.