By Donnie A. Lucas

With the number of positive COVID-19 cases steadily growing over the past two weeks, local health care and school officials are paying close attention to the numbers.

A total of 103 tests were administered last week by the two local health care clinics, with a total of 28 positive cases recorded, according to an update released Tuesday morning by Shackelford County judge Robert Skelton.

Further, the Shackelford County Health Clinic administered 27 additional tests on Monday and Tuesday this week, with 10 more positive results.

By Sam Waller

The registration deadline for the Albany Chamber of Commerce community garage sale is drawing nearer with potential participants encouraged to sign up if they haven’t already done so.

“We need everybody to get registered by Wednesday, Sept. 8, to get on the map for the garage sale,” Chamber manager Mary Beth Jones said.

The city-wide garage sale is scheduled for Sept. 11. Registration fee is $10 and covers inclusion on the map of participants and a sign. Signs will be ready for participants to pick up Tuesday through Thursday, Sept. 7-9.

By Donnie A. Lucas

An estimated 1,200 people attended the third annual ­CareFest on Saturday, benefitting the ResourceCare centers in six area communities.

The event featured nine individuals and groups including Roger Creager, Stoney Larue, and Giovannie and the Hired Guns.

According to one of the event organizers, Ragan Riley, the event turned out well. A tally of the funds raised were not available at press time.

By Sam Waller

The Moran Independent School District began classes Monday with 114 students enrolled from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade.

“It was great,” Moran ISD superintendent Dr. John Denson said. “Everything ran to plan. The kids all seemed glad to be here, and the teachers were, too.”

Denson said the district’s enrollment was holding steady compared to recent years.

“The senior class is the lightest,” he said.

The pre-K and kindergarten programs have a total of 16 students with eight in each group.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Even amid the lingering COVID-19 pandemic and concerns about the effect of Winter Storm Uri, hunters are still gearing up for the fall hunting season, which is happening “no matter what.” 

Opening day of dove hunting in Texas is Wednesday, Sept. 1, and hunters across the Lone Star State, including those in the Albany area, will have a 90-day hunting season and 15-bird daily bag limits.

By Sam Waller

Season tickets for Albany Lions football games are on sale for the 2021 season.

The Lions have five home games scheduled at Robert Nail Memorial Stadium, starting Sept. 17 against Haskell.

That will be the first of three consecutive home dates, followed by Anson on Sept. 24 and the homecoming game against Olney on Oct. 1.

District 8-2A home games are Oct. 15 against Hico and Oct. 29 against Santo.

Single-game tickets are $6 for adults and $4 for students. Season tickets are $30 for adults and $20 for students.

Photo packages that were ordered of high school football and volleyball players, as well as all levels of cheerleaders, are printed and ready for pickup at The Albany News.

By Sam Waller

Registration is underway for the Albany Chamber of Commerce annual garage sale, which is scheduled for Sept. 11.

“We are getting people signed up,” Chamber manager Mary Beth Jones said. “I may be out of the office some this week, but if  you see somebody there, you can run in and sign up. We’ve got plenty of time.”

Registration will continue through Sept. 3.

A registration fee of $10 covers inclusion on the map of garage sale participants and a sign. Signs will be ready for participants to pick up Sept. 7-9.

By Melinda L. Lucas

In addition to upcoming youth and children’s activities signaling the start of the school year, a couple of events are being planned for local women in the next couple of weeks, one of them a single-night “encouragement” program and the other an in-depth weekly Bible study.

Women’s Night at Bethel Assembly is set for Wednesday, Sept. 8, starting at 7:00 p.m. Worship will be followed by a segment from Jennie Allen and Friends, “IF:Lead 2021.”

By Donnie A. Lucas

The first weekly luncheon provided by The Feed Store to juniors and seniors was served on Tuesday to a total of 48 students.

Feed Store executive director Tisha Wilkins was pleased with the number of students who attended.

“We had a great turnout,” she said. “We are hoping that it will continue to grow, but for the first week, we felt good about the numbers.”

According to first-day enrollment figures, there are 33 juniors and 34 seniors this year.