By Donnie A. Lucas

The end of what is probably the most unusual school year in decades is winding down this week, with students required to turn in all work for grading by Friday.

Various turn-in schedules have been established depending on grade level, with seniors starting Thursday (today) at 9:00 a.m. at the high school. All secondary students received an email that includes specific times in five-minute increments to turn in school computers, textbooks, calculators, library books, and athletic uniforms and equipment.

Elementary Returns

By Lynsi Musselman

While the Old Jail Art Center museum is closed to the public, there continues to be a variety of take-home and at-home activities for all ages.

“Museum Mix-tape” is a playlist inspired by works of art at the OJAC. Different Spotify playlists will post each Monday through June 1 on the OJAC Facebook and In-stagram pages, including images of the collection.

The playlists are intended to motivate those working or learning from home. Participants are encouraged to view the art and then enjoy the coordinating playlist.

By Lynsi Musselman

Even in a pandemic, online predators exploit the vulnerabilities of children.

Nancy Smith Elementary School counselor Susie Beard said parents have to pay attention and put safeguards in place. There are several programs with parental control filters.

“Parents are the main line of defense,” Beard said. “Kids can be unaware or are curious and click on the wrong thing.” 

Enough Is Enough, is a non-profit online organization designed to make the internet safer for children and families.

By Lynsi Musselman

Seniors will have the opportunity to be recognized    for their achievements today in an informal gathering at the high school gym lobby.

Albany High School superintendent Jonathan Scott said staff and coaches will be set-up into stations to receive textbooks and hand out academic and athletic awards.

Scott said that a back drop will be displayed for individual and group photos.

“This is a quick recognition to be followed up by a virtual banquet that will be shared once it is complete,” Scott said.  

Atmos Energy understands that the coronavirus outbreak may cause some customers to experience financial difficulty, whether because of illness, quarantine, or a disruption at work. As part of its commitment to serving and working with its customers throughout this difficult time, Atmos Energy has temporarily suspended natural gas disconnections.

Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue designated 83 Texas counties as primary natural disaster areas. Producers who suffered losses due to recent drought may be eligible for U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) loans. 

The Texas counties with the primary natural disas-ter designation include Shackelford and surrounding counties.

By Lynsi Musselman

Checks were passed out last Thursday, May 7 to FFA and 4-H exhibitors who sold their animals through the Shackelford County Youth Livestock Association auction during the 2020 stock show.

Not all checks were able to be handed out due to a misprint about the date.

Participants who have yet to pick up their checks can contact Chris Beard at 325-762-4688. Beard said he is working on emailing and calling the students as well.

By Kathy Thomson

Shackelford County resident Lari Dee Guy’s induction into the Big County Athletic Hall of Fame, originally scheduled to take place on Monday, May 4 was postponed until Monday, Aug. 10.

By Lynsi Musselman

Moran High School has set graduation and Baccalaureate together for Friday, May 29 at 7:00 p.m. 

Teacher and coach Matthew Hise will be the speaker.

MISD superintendent Danny Freeman said the location will be outside, south of the school gymnasium.

Moran Class of 2020 valedictorian November Meredith and salutatorian Harley Schafer will both give speeches.

Freeman said students will enter the graduation area from the main school building and will be spaced out both during the processional and while seated. 

By Donnie A. Lucas

Despite Albany and Shackelford County not registering an official case of COVID-19 thus far, a free mobile testing unit will be in Albany on Sunday at the Law Enforcement Center located on Hwy. 180 West.

Operated by Texas Department of Emergency Management in conjunction with the Texas Military Department Mobile Testing Squad, drive-through testing will be held from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. The measure was requested through the county judge’s office on behalf of local health authorities.