By Sandy Morris One year ago, Shackelford County looked very different with the effects of COVID being seen in every public venue and with many traditional events being cancelled. Fast forward a year,  and for the most part, it’s business as usual for the majority of Albany.

By Melinda L. Lucas A disaster declaration was ratified at Monday’s meeting of the Shackelford County commissioners in hopes that state or federal funding will be available to help repair flood-damaged county roads.

By Sandy Morris The 2021 version of the Fandangle parade is set to take to the streets of downtown Albany at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 19, and parade organizers are hoping for more entries to come in during the next two days.

By Sandy Morris The 83rd anniversary edition of the Fort Griffin Fandangle is scheduled to open to a large audience at the Prairie Theater at 8:30 tomorrow evening.

By Sandy Morris The annual summer reading program at the Shackelford County Library, sponsored by the Albany Study Club, kicked off on Monday, June 7 after a year’s absence due to COVID concerns.

By Sandy Morris Moran Independent School District retiring superintendent Danny Freeman, school board president Sug Roller and board vice president Alice Branham presented diplomas to six seniors at commencement exercises on Friday, May 28 at the MISD gymnasium.

By Sandy Morris Hendrick Regional Blood Center (formerly Meek Blood Center) will park its bloodmobile at First Baptist Church at the usual time from 1:00 until 6:00 p.m. Thursday, June 10. COVID-19 antibody testing is offered at no charge for donors who successfully donate.

By Sandy Morris The Moran ISD board of trustees recently approved the hiring of Dr. John Denson as the new superintendent to replace Danny Freeman who is retiring at the end of June. Dr. Denson comes to MISD from Union Hill ISD in Gilmer, Texas and said he is glad to return to West Texas.

By Donnie A. Lucas Local students have had the opportunity to attend three separate sports camps over the last two weeks, with a couple more slated for later in July. The annual basketball camp and a new tennis camp were both held this week, with the all-sports camp held the week before.

By Sandy Morris Dress rehearsal followed by opening night of the 83rd anniversary edition of the Fort Griffin Fandangle takes place in one week, and the entire cast and crew are rehearsing almost every night.