Long ball event set June 29

By Lynsi Musselman

Albany High School baseball parents will host a school approved ‘Long Ball’ fundraiser on Monday, June 29 at 6:00 p.m. at the high school baseball field.

Local baseball mom Tara Chapman said the players started getting pledges last week and will take them until the fundraiser.

“The pledges can be per foot the ball is hit or a flat donation,” Chapman said. “Each player will get five pitches in a row to see how far they can hit the ball.”

Albany News

Athletic Booster Club to meet July 1

By Lynsi Musselman

The Albany Athletic Booster Club invites all junior high and high school athlete parents, family members, and interested community residents to attend a meeting on Wednesday, July 1 at the Feed Store at 5:30 p.m.

This is the kick-off for the 2020-2021 school year, according to one of the officers, Tisha Wilkins.

The booster club supports all sports, and there is no fee associated with being a member. 

Albany News

Trinity Episcopal meets in person

By Lynsi Musselman

Members of Trinity Episcopal Church have resumed on-site and in- person worship services.

Sunday, June 14 was the first service since mid-March, according to church member Larry Bell. 

Rev. Jim Smart served as preacher and celebrant for Holy Communion last weekend.

The next service will be Sunday, June 28 with the Rev. Doug Thomas serving as preacher and celebrant.

Albany commodity date changed

By Lynsi Musselman

The pick-up date for the July distribution of the commodity food program will be Thursday, July 2  both in Moran and Albany.

Justice of the Peace James Breeden said the change in date and time will be for this month only to accommodate residents in both towns, since the county offices will be closed Friday, July 3, for Independence Day weekend. 

JP office personnel organize and facilitate the local food program for the county.

Albany News

Head Start, Pre-K classes still have room for 3-4 year olds

By Lynsi Musselman

Parents who need to pre-register their children for Head Start and pre-kindergarten for the 2020-2021 school year are encouraged to start the process.

New and returning Head Start families need to go to the Region 14 website www.esc14.net/page/cyl_my-headstart%20application.com to fill out a pre-registration form to qualify. 

Albany News

Conditions spark 5 wildfires

By Lynsi Musselman

Over the past two weeks Shackelford County residents have seen five wildfires light up local pastures.

Shackelford County Rural Volunteer Fire Department secretary Kristy Brooker said approximately 2,000 acres have burned since June 9. 

A blaze designated as the “Buffalo Fire” started the streak of fires that burned two uninhabited structures and several outbuildings on Kelly and Sara Head’s property and spread to other nearby properties, including the Leech’splace.

Old Jail prepares to open July 1

By Lynsi Musselman

The Old Jail Art Center opened to members by appointment only on Tuesday, June 16.

OJAC director Pat Kelly said there have only been a few members visit the museum so far.

“A low number of visitors to start out is what we expected,” Kelly said. “We were hoping for a slow process to get a plan in place for when we open to the public,” Kelly said.

OJAC will open to all visitors beginning Wednesday, July 1. Visitor hours will be 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. 

Parents of seniors to meet Sunday

Parents of seniors who will be in the Albany High School Class of 2021 are asked to attend a meeting on Sunday afternoon, June 28 in the AHS auditorium.

According to secondary counselor Jenny Scott, the special meeting will start at 2:00 p.m., with social distancing to be observed.

Masks are encouraged but not required, Scott said.

“Graduation requirements, the college application process, dual credit courses, and your senior’s course selection will be discussed during this time,” she said. “We hope to see you there.”

Albany News

Paper will not be published week of July 9

Albany News customers should be on the lookout for a couple of changes over the next few weeks.

Both readers and advertisers are asked to be aware that no newspaper will be published, either in print or online, during the week of July 6.

“There will not be an edition on Thursday, July 9,” said News editor Melinda Lucas. “We hope we’re giving everyone ample notice that we’re going to take that week off to spend time with our families.”

This is only the third time in 43 years of Lucas ownership that there hasn’t been a weekly paper.

Albany News

Early voting starts next Monday for primary run-offs

By Lynsi Musselman

Due to the coronavirus, the primary run-off elections originally scheduled for May 26 were postponed to July 14 by Gov. Greg Abbott’s proclamation back in March, with early voting for Shackelford County residents to get underway at the courthouse next Monday, June 29.

The last day to early vote in person for the primary run-off will be Friday, July 10.

Shackelford County clerk Cheri Hawkins said that the courthouse will be open during lunch hours for the early voting period to help reduce the number of voters coming in at the same time.