By Sandy Morris

 Albany ISD Junior High and Nancy Smith Elementary students have been competing in various UIL academic events over the last week through Tuesday, Dec. 8. 

This year, all events were conducted locally with no outside audiences allowed. 

Junior high UIL coordinator Melanie Anderson said contests were run the same even though they were being held locally.

“All UIL rules and time limits remain the same,” said Anderson. 

By Sandy Morris

Two Albany seniors, Sidney Bartee and Hannah Trail, have been identified as College Board National Recognition Program Scholars in the National Rural and Small Town Recognition Program. 

The College Board National Recognition Programs create pathways to college for students from underrepresented communities by awarding them academic honors and connecting them with universities across the country.

By Sandy Morris

National Wreaths Across America Day 2020 has been scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 19, and local residents have arranged a ceremony to honor service members buried in the Albany Cemetery. 

A brief observance is set to begin at 11:00 a.m. at the pavilion in the Albany Cemetery before fresh wreaths are placed on almost 500 graves. 

By Sandy Morris

While nasty weather and COVID cancelled the Albany Chamber of Commerce’s annual Parade of Lights, shoppers were still able to knock out some holiday shopping and earn tickets to win Albany Bucks.

Originally, the drawing for Albany Bucks was set for Saturday afternoon starting at 3:30 p.m.

After the parade was cancelled, Chamber director Mary Beth Jones announced that shoppers would have a few more days to earn tickets with boxes picked up on Tuesday morning at 10:00 a.m. 

By Sandy Morris

Last week, the Albany Chamber of Commerce made the difficult decision to cancel the annual Lighted Christmas Parade, along with all of the associated festivities, due to concerns over the increase in area COVID-19 cases. 

However, local resident Mackenzie Viertel is organizing an independent, totally volunteer-based community Christmas parade in order to carry on a favorite holiday tradition. 

By Melinda L. Lucas

With 10 positive COVID tests reported by the Shackelford County Health Clinic during the first two days of this week and more symtomatic patients on site at press time Wednesday morning, Albany and Moran seem to be mirroring the national surge of coronavirus cases.

Jera Fairley at the clinic said that 15 rapid  tests were administered Monday, Nov. 30, with eight positive, while of the nine tests given to local patients on Tuesday, two were positive.

By Sandy Morris

The December distribution of the commodity food program originally scheduled for today, Dec. 3 and tomorrow, Dec. 4 has been cancelled. 

According to Shackelford County Justice of the Peace James Breeden, there are more risks than benefits with distributing the commodities this month. 

“We feel that with the COVID risk and the general age of the commodity recipients, along with the colder weather, it is in everyone’s best interest to cancel this month’s food distribution,” he said.

By Sandy Morris

In an effort to prevent any spread of COVID among Moran ISD faculty and students, the decision was made to cancel all in-person instruction for the week of Nov. 30 through Dec. 4. 

According to Moran ISD superintendent Danny Freeman, this was a precautionary decision.

“We’ve had several faculty members who have tested positive,  which put them into quarantine for 14 days,” said Freeman. “If we have no new exposures or outbreaks, we plan to resume face-to-face instruction on Monday, Dec. 7.”

By Sandy Morris

There are still plenty of opportunities to help neighbors in need during the Christmas season, including the rescheduled annual meal that benefits the Toys for Tots program.

Albany High School National Honor Society members will be working with Marine Staff Sergeant Doug Beaty Beaty in hosting a drive-through barbecue sandwich lunch fundraiser this Sunday, Dec. 6, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Albany Chamber of Commerce parking lot.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Usually mailed by the end of October, tax statements for Shackelford County property owners are just now showing up because of a data delay from Callahan County.

According to Shackelford County Appraisal District (SCAD) chief appraiser Clayton Snyder, the local staff waited for about six weeks for the portion of Moran ISD that is in Callahan County.

Once the correct information was received, the statement files were uploaded electronically to a mailing company for processing and distribution.