By Kathy Thomson

Area churches will once again host the successful and popular after-game fellowships following each of the Albany Lions’ home football games for 2019.

The first “Fifth Quarter” event of the season will be held Friday, Sept. 6 at The Feed Store and will be hosted by Matthews Memorial Presbyterian Church and Trinity Lutheran Church.

Chick-fil-A nuggets, chips, water, and cookies will be served at tomorrow’s event, according to MMPC pastor’s assistant Sandy Ingalls.

By Kathy Thomson

Shackelford County has had its share of wildfires in the last week, with local volunteers called out to fight several good-sized pasture fires, including two in the same night.

Last week, the Texas A&M Forest Service (TFS) cautioned all Texans to use caution outdoors because of the “exceptional” drought conditions. 

Shackelford County, along with most of the Big Country, remains under a burn bun.

Citizens in Moran have several events that will take place over the next two weeks, including a commodity distribution, city-wide garage sale, fireman’s Fill the Boot fundraiser, and a children’s paint party.

Commodities are available Sept. 5 at Moran City Hall between 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon for those who are certified.

The city-wide garage sale takes place this Saturday, Sept. 7.

Participation is free, and sale sites should be turned in to organizer Michelle Taggart at 325-513-5398 before 10:00 a.m. on Sept. 6.

By Kathy Thomson

Only a handful of slots remained available for the Albany Golf Club’s annual Labor Day tournament as of Monday, and those who still want to enter should call as soon as possible to see if any tee times are still open.

“We only have four afternoon spots left,” club president Randy Walker said Monday afternoon. “All of the morning tee times have been taken, and all of the rental golf carts have been claimed.”

The event is held at the Albany Golf Course. 

By Kathy Thomson

Moran residents still have a week to contact organizer Michelle Taggart and sign up to include their location in the annual Moran city-wide garage sale.

The sale will start at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 7, but participating sites should be turned in to Taggart by 10:00 a.m. next Friday, Sept. 6. 

“This will give me time to get maps and lists printed,” she said. “If you are interested in getting on the list, please let me know. As always, there is no cost to join.”

To register a sale, contact Taggart at 325-513-5398.

By Kathy Thomson

Moran Independent School District earned a rating of “C” from the Texas Education Agency, with an overall score of 79 out of 100.

Because Moran is a small district, 2019 is the first year that it was awarded a letter grade instead of the previously used “Met Standard” or “Improvement Required” categories.

Moran’s Accountability Ratings this year were Overall “C” (79), Student Achievement “C” (78), School Progress “B” (80), and Closing the Gaps “C” (76). 

By Kathy Thomson

With the annual campaign to raise funds for local organizations starting in October, board members of the Albany Chest will meet soon to organize the 2019 fundraising drive and elect new directors.

The meeting is set for Wednesday, Sept. 4 at 5:15 p.m. at The Feed Store.

“We will be accepting nominations for positions on the board,” said chairman Amy Kelly. 

Four of the 12 director positions come up for election each year, and Chest by-laws allow directors to serve two terms before they cycle off. 

By Kathy Thomson

Members of the Albany Chamber of Commerce named their first three “Lights of Albany” at the bi-annual party held last Friday, Aug. 23 at the Aztec Theater. 

Chosen for the honor this year were the Albany ISD ag students, teachers, and coaches, Jane Hooker, and Lisa Barton.

Albany ISD

By Melinda L. Lucas

A special meeting was scheduled at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 30 by the Shackelford County commissioners, who plan to propose a budget and tax rate.

The elected officials continued hammering out the 2019-2020 budget during a workshop following the regular session on Monday, Aug. 26. After it was decided that the rate needs to be set above the effective tax rate, commissioners planned Friday’s meeting in order to post required notices prior to the final vote in September.

Leasing Possibilities

By Melinda L. Lucas

Board members of the Shackelford County Appraisal District (CAD) will meet on Friday, Aug. 30 at 7:30 a.m. for a final discussion about the proposed CAD budget for 2019.

A copy of the budget can be viewed at the CAD office at 132 Hill St., where the meeting will be held.

The $387,522 preliminary figure approved by CAD board members is $14,461 more than the current budget of $373,061.

Of the proposed number, $382,522 is for expected expenditures, and $5,000 is designated for the litigation contingency fund balance.