By Sandy Morris

The Student Health Advisory Committee (SHAC) is selling digital thermometers for $5 to parents, students, and the general public. 

SHAC members purchased these thermometers about a year ago as a fundraiser, and along with including them in first aid packets given to the graduating class as a gift, they have been utilized in other ways. 

According to school nurse Lisa Russell, these thermometers were purchased well before the COVID-19 virus outbreak, but they came in handy this past spring. 

By Sandy Morris

The traditional special assembly to honor local veterans has fallen victim to COVID this year. 

School administrators decided recently that they would cancel the event this year, due to fact that attendees are typically in close proximity. 

All local veterans and their families typically are invited to participate in the assembly, which usually includes music and special readings from the students. 

By Sandy Morris

The ladies of the Sallie Matthews Circle of Matthews Memorial Presbyterian Church announced this week that they will not host their annual Christmas Bazaar. 

The decision was based on the increase in the number of recent COVID-19 cases in the area and the fact that the hospitals in Abilene are reaching their threshold for COVID-positive patients. 

By Sandy Morris

The date has been set for Friendship Baptist Church’s fourth annual “Harvest Acres.” 

The yearly event is always scheduled for the Saturday before Thanksgiving.  This year’s date is set for Saturday, Nov. 21, starting at 9:00 a.m.

Harvest Acres will be held in the church’s Activity Center located at 600 Greer Street. 

The bazaar will offer various craft items and Christmas decorations, as well as a silent auction.  

By Lynsi Musselman

Closet Angels is cele-brating 10 years of being Matthews Memorial Presbyterian Church’s clothing ministry, with the purpose of helping those in need.

An idea that started on a whim in September 2010 by director Lori Reames has grown into a full-time operation, supporting not just the Albany community, but others both near and far.

Reames said Closet Angels (CA) began as an idea to start a coat drive.

By Sandy Morris

The last “Fifth Quarter” event of the 2020 season will be held at The Feed Store directly after the Cross Plains game this Friday, Oct. 30.

First Baptist Church will host the event for the students and will serve Subway sandwiches. Snacks and drinks also will be provided to the students.

According to Campbell Terry, FBC youth minister, this Fifth Quarter will end at 10:30 p.m., so non-driving students will need to be picked up on or before that time. 

By Sandy Morris

The Moran PTO will sponsor Trunk or Treat on Friday, Oct. 30. 

The event will be held from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. in the front parking lot of the school. Everyone is invited to participate. 

Red Ribbon Events

Moran ISD principal Jo Hise reported that the district is observing Red Ribbon Week this week. 

By Donnie A. Lucas

Early voting for the Nov. 3 general election and three local races that were postponed earlier in the year due to COVID-19 coronavirus concerns has been brisk with just over 30 percent of all registered voters in the county casting ballots.

Early voting opened on Tuesday, Oct. 13, and as of Tuesday, Oct. 20, a total of 649 ballots had been cast, in addition to 109 mail ballots that have been returned, representing a county total of over 750 voters thus far.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Albany High School seniors Wesley Estridge and Torie Fuentes were crowned 2020 Homecoming King and Queen during halftime last Friday night in the Albany Lions’ 61-0 win over the Ranger Bulldogs.

Estridge and Fuentes were both nominated by the senior class for the homecoming honors, with six other seniors selected as candidates by the other three classes at AHS.

The pair was chosen by the entire student body during an election held last week after each class picked a senior boy and girl to serve as nominees.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Albany ISD administrators reviewed updates about the district’s Targeted Improvement Plan (TIP), as well as looking at possible changes in remote learning during a board meeting on Monday, Oct. 19.

AISD director of student services Leigh Lowe reported that the Targeted Improvement Plan, required by TEA because of last year’s overall “D” grade, had been ready to put into operation for last spring’s testing, but when schools went to remote learning because of -COVID, and STAAR tests were suspended, the requirement was extended another year.