By Donnie A. Lucas

The News has hired veteran sportswriter Sam Waller as a staff member effective with this week’s edition.

Waller, 57, brings a wealth of reporting experience along with his 32-year newspaper career.

“We are really excited that Sam was available and the circumstances were right to allow us to have him join our staff,” editor Melinda Lucas said. “We were looking for a part-time writer to replace someone who left in June, and Sam was looking for a part-time position.”

By Sidney Bartee

Several members of Albany FFA have been attending multiple cattle prospect shows across the state during the summer, with their efforts paying off with some top spots and awards.

The prospect shows are held to prepare beef projects for major shows held in the fall and winter.

The most recent show was the Show Steer Nationals in Abilene, with more than 800 steer projects entered from all over the United States.

By Sidney Bartee

The City of Albany will test the emergency warning siren at 12:00 noon on Wednesday, Aug. 11, as it does the second Wednesday of every month, depending on the weather.

The tests keep citizens familiar with the three warning sounds, and they are also used to make sure that the siren, computer, software, and radios are working correctly.

The siren should sound one of the three emergency tones at noon on that day, but the siren is not tested if the weather is questionable, according to local fire chief Travis Gardenhire. 

By Donnie A. Lucas

All the gold will definitely not be in California come Oct. 9.

A big chunk of it will be at the Friends of Fort Griffin Gala at Collins Creek Ranch when Larry, Steve & Rudy: The Gatlin Brothers present a special performance as the highlight of the annual fundraising event that benefits the historical site.

Susan Waller, event coordinator for the Friends of Fort Griffin, confirmed that the Gatlins have been booked for the Oct. 9 event.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Online registration is continuing for both school campuses this week with a number of students still not signed up to the upcoming school year.

At the end of the first of two in-person registration sessions held Monday and Tuesday, almost 70 percent of secondary students had registered, while the elementary numbers were just over half.

“It seems to be going well at our campus,” secondary principal Glen Hill said on Tuesday. “We have had several new students come in and things were really busy on Monday.”

By Sidney Bartee

An Albany blood drive is set for today, Aug. 5.

Hendrick Regional Blood Center will park the bloodmobile at First Baptist Church at the usual time from 1:00 to 6:00 p.m.

The blood center offers COVID-19 antibody testing at no charge to those who successfully donate.

The blood center depends on volunteer blood donors to supply 100 percent of the blood that is used for patient care at 17 area hospitals.

The Kiwanis Club blood drives are scheduled roughly every eight weeks throughout the year.

By Donnie A. Lucas

After going weeks, even months, without a single positive COVID-19 case, eight positive cases have been reported locally by one of the two local clinics.

The Shackelford County Hospital District Clinic has administered 25 tests since July 19, with eight positive results.

Results from the Resource Care Clinic in Albany showed that eight tests were given, but there were no positive cases.

Both local clinics offer testing for the coronavirus, and both have vaccines available to administer.

By Sidney Bartee

With the school year officially beginning for Moran students on Aug. 23, student and staff events are in full swing.

Cheer Camp

Moran varsity cheerleaders will begin cheer camp on Monday, Aug. 2.

The cheerleaders will practice from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. until Wednesday, Aug. 4.

According to cheerleader coach Liz Walls, the girls will learn new cheers, chants, stunts, and a new dance at the camp.

Walls commented that the cheerleaders held a bake sale fundraiser to fund this year’s camp.

Fall Sports

By Sidney Bartee

The deadline for football program ads has been extended until tomorrow, July 30.

Community members or businesses who want to purchase ads for the football program can contact a Booster Club officer.

Ad prices are $30 for a business card size, $60 for a quarter page, $120 for a half page, and $225 for a full page.

Annual Event

The annual Hamburger Supper held by the Albany Athletic Booster Club is scheduled for Monday, Aug. 9.

The event will be held at the Bank Park starting at 6:00 p.m.

By Sidney Bartee

Pick-up dates for the August distribution of the commodity food program will be Thursday, Aug. 5 and Friday, Aug. 6.

On Thursday Aug. 5, certified eligible families in Moran should pick up their monthly commodity food at the Moran City Hall between 9:00 and 11:00 a.m.

Certified eligible Albany families for the August food distribution program can pick up their commodity food on Friday, Aug. 6 at the back door of the Justice of the Peace office from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m.