By Melinda L. Lucas

The next meeting of the Shackelford County 4-H Horse Club program clinic will be held today, Nov. 5, starting at 5:30 p.m. at the Shackelford County Show Barn. 

Dr. Katie Fisher, the new Albany equine veterinarian from Salt Creek Veterinary Hospital, will be the speaker at the November clinic.

Shackelford County Extension Agent Kloey Painter said the first clinic to go over horse safety was not only well attended, but participants also learned some important basic tips for working with horses.

By Sandy Morris

The 2020 “Red Ribbon Week” wrapped up on Friday, Oct. 29 at both Albany ISD campuses. 

The yearly event is sponsored locally by Albany ISD and the Albany Task Force on Drug and Alcohol Abuse, with support provided by several other state and local agencies. 

Red Ribbon Week began on Monday, Oct. 26, marking the 32nd straight year that the national event has been conducted locally.

NSES Events

By Sandy Morris

The Albany High School marching band is getting ready for the University Interscholastic League East Zone marching contest this Saturday, Nov. 7 at 11:00 a.m. at Abilene Wylie stadium.

Originally, the contest was scheduled for Oct. 17, but UIL delayed the contest due to COVID-19 precautions.

Albany band director William Vaughn took advantage of the extra time and scheduled a clinician to come in and work with local students.

By Sandy Morris

Pick-up dates for the November distribution of the commodity food program will be today, Thursday, Nov. 5 and tomorrow, Friday, Nov. 6.

Certified eligible families in Moran should pick up their monthly commodity food at the Moran City Hall between 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. this morning. 

Albany families who have been certified as eligible for the November food distribution program may pick up their food tomorrow, Nov. 6, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the rear door of the JP office. 

By Sandy Morris

Albany Junior High  one act play cast members have been rehearsing daily in preparation for their upcoming district competition on Thursday, Nov. 12, in Stamford.  

“The Magic Well” will be performed for the public on Monday, Nov. 9 at 6:00 p.m. in the auditorium.

Director Melanie Turner said rehearsals are going well with daily rehearsals during the theater class period and extra rehearsals outside of school when necessary. 

Turner also said her cast is getting more prepared for contest every day.

By Lynsi Musselman

Earlier this year, Albany High School senior and lifelong Albany resident Sidney Bartee was named Lions Club Sweetheart for 2020-2021.

Lions Club member Myra Hise said the Lions were proud to name Sidney as the sweetheart for the year.

“She was chosen for her outstanding grades and participation in school,” Hise added. “She has pride in her community and an amazing work ethic.”

Sidney works two part-time jobs even while going to school, and is still involved in a big part of the Lions Club activities.

By Sandy Morris

Moran junior and senior classes are hosting a canned food drive over the next two weeks for needy families in the community.

“The collected cans will be donated to the Moran Food Bank, and applications for food can be obtained at the Food Bank,” according to Jo Hise, contact person for the food drive. 

Anyone wishing to donate food/canned goods can drop them off in the school office. 

Moran Football

Moran varsity and junior high football teams both played Throckmorton last Thursday, Oct. 29. 

By Melinda L. Lucas

The presidential race plus local board elections delayed from May due to COVID brought out large numbers of county voters for the 2020 General Election, with a large percentage voting early and absentee.

A total of 1,635 voters cast ballots, representing 70.87 percent of the 2,307 registered voters in the county. This compares with 1,521 voters in the presential election in 2016.

By Sandy Morris

Earlier in the year, the -COVID-19 pandemic basically gave Albany ISD students an extended spring break that ran through the end of the school year. 

Then, at the beginning of this school year, the Texas Education Agency allowed school districts to offer remote online learning to students who needed to be in quarantine or whose parents were not comfortable sending their children back to school. 

Albany ISD began the school year offering remote online learning to any student whose parents requested this option. 

By Sandy Morris

Recent cooler temperatures and a pleasant forecast for the upcoming weekend have hunters hopeful for a good opening weekend of deer and turkey season. 

Deer and turkey season officially opens Saturday, Nov. 7, and quail season opened Oct. 26

According to Shackelford County game warden Jacob Mort, the recent cold snap has gotten the deer moving.

“We are seeing a lot of movement with the bucks fighting and chasing the does,” Mort said. 

Regulations