City council extends disaster declaration

By Melinda L. Lucas

With the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the U.S. doubling every few days, and local leaders expecting more cases to show up in the Big Country in the near future, Albany city council members met in emergency session on Thursday, March 19 to take action on a declaration of disaster.

Meeting along with the city officials were Albany ISD superintendent Jonathan Scott and Shackelford County judge Robert Skelton.

The city’s emergency management coordinator, Carrie Holson, was also present.

School shutdown extended to April 3

By Donnie A. Lucas

Albany teachers have remained busy over the last week transitioning to alternate delivery methods of education materials and content in the wake of the school’s closure due to the COVID-19 concerns.

The local district started a two-week closure to students last Monday that was due to end next Tuesday, but the shutdown was made mandatory statewide by Gov. Greg Abbott through April 3.

Restaurants adjusting to ‘new normal’

By Kathy Thomson

Albany restaurant owners are trying to adjust to a new and unprecedented normal brought on by the coronavirus pandemic, and Shackelford residents are encouraged to help them keep their businesses open. 

School meals distributed

By Melinda L. Lucas

Albany ISD’s school meal program started this week with pickup breakfast and lunch bags, and administrators are looking at possibly setting up remote locations if needed.

AISD cafeteria manager Debra Boyett said Tuesday that her staff handed out about 20 breakfasts the first two morning, along with 35 to 40 lunches on those two days.

“The pickup procedure in the circle drive at the elementary school is working well, so we’re going to continue distributing as many meals as we can that way,” said Boyett.

MISD staff, students work online

By Kathy Thomson

The staff at the Moran Independent School District is working to meet the needs of their students, with lessons available online, by email, or by hard copy, and meals provided to local students by request.

“We are still supplying a few meals for students,” said superintendent Danny Freeman. “For those families that have requested meals, we are providing breakfast and lunch twice a week.”

Moran election delayed

By Kathy Thomson

The City of Moran is still working to complete the paperwork required before they can begin using the $275,000 in HUD Community Development Block Grant funds earmarked for replacing approximately 2,500 of eight inch sewer lines running along Fisher Avenue and Grand Avenue, and as of press time on Tuesday, commodities were scheduled to be available as normal on Friday, April 3. However, COVID-19 concerns have interrupted most other city activities in Moran.

Albany News

Families urged to stay home, don’t panic

By Melinda L. Lucas

City, school, and county officials are on the front lines of the worldwide coronavirus surge as they carefully but quickly navigate state and federal recommendations to rein in the “beast” before it grows to the proportions that it has in other countries.

In addition to Albany’s school closure for a minimum 14-day period and Moran ISD’s shutdown at least through April 3, local mayor pro tem Susan Montgomery has taken steps to try to protect local citizens, particularly those susceptible to becoming critically ill.

COVID-19 forces school closure

By Melinda L. Lucas

Albany ISD trustees made a tough decision during a Monday night meeting dominated by coronavirus concerns, eventually voting unanimously to suspend local classes through the end of March.

The board and administrators worked quickly through their regular agenda, including the selection of a new property insurance provider, before adjourning so the emergency part of the session, which had been set for 7:30 p.m., could be convened.

COVID Plan & Action

Coronavirus protocol reviewed by directors

By Melinda L. Lucas

Coronavirus protocol for both the health clinic and the ambulance service was reviewed during a regular meeting of the Shackelford County Hospital District’s directors on Monday, March 16.

Also during the meeting, the board approved a request by local EMT Colby Herron for tuition assistance as he pursues his training to become a paramedic.

The funding will be formally provided after new amended guidelines are presented at the April meeting.

COVID19 Protocol

District hopes to provides meals

By Melinda L. Lucas

School breakfast and lunch for local students during the period that classes are suspended were still up in the air at press time, but Albany ISD administrators were hopeful that the cafeteria staff could begin distributing meals as soon as Thursday morning, March 19.

According to AISD superintendent Jonathan Scott, many school districts are “ready to roll” because the initial guidelines are those used for summer food programs.