By Kathy Thomson

With a significant impact expected in state funding, Albany Independent School District enrollment totals for the beginning of the new school year are now sitting at 525, 39 more than last August and 14 more than at the end of the 2018-2019 school year.

Several students have registered in the days since classes began last week, but as of press time Tuesday, the official enrollment numbers were 283 at Nancy Smith Elementary School, 87 at the junior high, and 152 at Albany High, for a total of 522.

First Day Count

By Melinda L. Lucas

Proposed budget totals for the Shackelford County Hospital District for 2020 decreased about $50,000 for the upcoming year, primarily due to the fact that $150,000 was included in the current budget for the purchase of a new ambulance, which will be delivered in the near future.

The hospital board worked on budgets for both the district and the clinic at a regular meeting on Monday, Aug. 19, eventually ending with expenditures of $2,918,930 based on the effective tax rate of 18.81 cents, which was also proposed during the evening.

By Melinda L. Lucas

During their regular meeting on Monday, Aug. 19, school board trustees learned details about the Albany ISD’s “B” grade in the state’s accountability ratings, and reviewed some of the plans to make improvements during the upcoming year.

Details about the accountability numbers are included in a page one article in this week’s issue.

The board also looked over the second draft of the proposed budget and made plans to act on the numbers at a special evening meeting on Aug. 29.

Community 

Recognition

ResourceCare’s second annual Carefest fundraiser is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 7 at the Happy Wife Happy Life venue just outside of Albany, and those who want to enjoy some of the special ticket options may be running out of time to purchase their selections.

“Ticket sales are going really well,” said program assistant Ragan Riley. “We are close to selling out on the VIP tickets, preferred seating, and the canopy spaces. But we still have sponsorships available.”

A monthly country and western musical will continue this month on Saturday, Aug. 24 from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. at the Moran Community Center.

Moran singer-songwriter M.L. “Marty” Clifford is coordinating the event, which got underway in May.

Clifford plans to hold the musical on the fourth Saturday of each month.

Proceeds will benefit local organizations.

There is no cover charge, but snacks will be available.

For more information, call 325-668-5084.

By Kathy Thomson

The school year is underway and with it comes a daily commute by hundreds of children to and from the local campuses by school bus, car, bicycle, and on foot.

Drivers should be aware of the increased risk of injury or death to the community’s most precious resources that result from speeding or distracted driving, especially when combined with students who may forget to watch for oncoming traffic.

By Kathy Thomson

When smoke plumes rose into the Shackelford County sky last week, first responders quickly sprang into action to limit the amount of damage caused by the wildfires, and although their hard work and effort contained those fires to a few hundred acres, everyone is reminded to be extra diligent to prevent any fires from starting.

By Kathy Thomson

The Moran School District will begin the new year with four new faculty members, John Hughes, Robert Londerholm, Elizabeth Martin, and Betty Galvan. In addition, veteran teacher Jo Hise will assume the role of principal.

“We are excited about the beginning of another school year with several new educators and students as well,” said MISD superintendent Danny Freeman.

John Hughes

John Hughes is the new athletic director and the head football coach.

Steve and Susan Waller of Albany announce the marriage of their daughter, Katherine Elizabeth Waller, to Mason Ray Mumford, son of Robbie Mumford and the late Marvin Mumford of Corpus Christi.

The bride was given in marriage by her father on  May 26, 2019 at 5:00 p.m. at Utopia United Methodist Church in Utopia, Texas. Chad Chamness officiated.

The bride is the granddaughter of Winifred Waller of Albany and Sharon Siewert Knaus of Abilene.

Delores Conway of Corpus Christi is the grandmother of the groom. 

By Kathy Thomson

Albany High School students Addie Beth Denton and Mady Connally both won awards at the Cisco Junior Rodeo last weekend.

Denton won belt buckles for the highest score over the course of the two-day rodeo in both goat tying, where times of 11.08 and 14.04 placed her first in both gos, and in ribbon roping where she claimed the average with a first place time of 12.38 seconds on Saturday after a “no time” on Friday.