By Lynsi Musselman
With COVID-19 being front and center in the news, the upcoming flu season is not getting as much attention as in previous years.
Because of the pandemic, reducing the spread of any respiratory illness is more important than ever, according to the Center for Disease Control.
The CDC reports that 87.5 million doses of the flu vaccine have been distributed across the nation.
By Lynsi Musselman
When Frank Dawson was preparing to leave Albany last October for Kabul, Afghanistan, his neighbors Shirley and Red Alexander came up with the idea of putting up a flag display to honor him and his service.
Dawson, a Senior Master Sergeant in the United States Air Force, moved with his family to Albany a few years ago and commuted to Dyess Air Force Base. This was his fifth deployment.
By Lynsi Musselman
Items from long ago can pop up anywhere and anytime, reminding people of history and how life was once lived, and sometimes found items can bring life full circle.
After the recent heavy rains in Albany, resident Gerry Cates, who lives at the Stasney Palm Ranch just outside of town, found something that has been buried for at least 70 years, probably much longer.
Cates said he was walking from the house to the barn to feed one day and veered off his normal path while walking through the mud.
By Melinda L. Lucas
With very little discussion, directors of the Shackelford County Hospital District okayed the proposed budget and tax rate at a meeting on Monday, Sept. 21.
A budget of $3,049,455 was approved unanimously on a motion by Mike Folsom, with a second by Leslie Belcher.
The proposed tax rate of 20.05 cents, which is the no-new-revenue calculation, was adopted on a motion by Folsom, seconded by Myra Hise.
Other Business
By Melinda L. Lucas
Albany ISD trustees heard the 2019-2020 financial review during an hour-long meeting on Monday, Sept. 21, but no action was taken.
CPA Cameron Gulley presented the audit for last school year as “pending,” with the final report due next month.
He advised that no action be taken until figures are received from the Community Foundation of Abilene regarding Albany ISD’s investments.
By Lynsi Musselman
The Albany Chamber of Commerce and Beverly Rogers, captain of Team Albany, are getting prepared for the ‘cruse night’ event this weekend that is being held to help end the fight for Alzhiemer’s.
The Chamber has organized “Giving a Boot to Alzheimer’s, Cruise for a Cure” to help Rogers along with Randy Hayes, who will drive up and down Main Street in Albany on Saturday, Sept. 26 from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m.
The ‘cruise night’ coincides with the 2020 Walk to End Alzheimer’s in Abilene.
By Lynsi Musselman
Albany ISD superintendent Jonathan Scott said Homecoming 2020 plans are “a go” and preparations are already underway.
The homecoming game is planned for Friday, Oct. 2 at 7:00 p.m. against the Meridian Tigers, with the homecoming parade set to progress down Main Street before the game at 5:00 p.m.
The parade theme this year is ‘Through the Decades,’ with the senior class choosing the 1970s and the junior class decorating their float to represent the 1960s.
By Donnie A. Lucas
Local organizations who plan to apply for funding from the Albany Chest need to finish and submit their applications by 5:00 p.m. Friday afternoon, Oct. 2.
Board vice chair Melinda Lucas said Monday that only a few applications had been received so far, and she emphasized that all organizations wishing to receive an allocation from the Albany Chest must submit a written request by the deadline.
By Lynsi Musselman
The Shackelford County 4-H horse program gets started with the first 2020 horse clinic on Thursday, Oct. 1 at 5:30 p.m.
The clinic will be held at the county show barn.
Shackelford County Extension Agent Kloey Painter said the clinic will be a great overall introduction to horses.
“We will go over horse safety, basic horsemanship, and leading horses on a halter, Painter explained.
She said the plan is to have monthly clinics.
Albany residents are invited to help display cut cane and fall leaves down Main Street this Saturday, Sept. 26 at 9:00 a.m.
Albany Chamber of Commerce treasurer Lisa Barton encouraged volunteers to help make the town look like fall.
“During these uncertain times, it is nice to take pride in Albany and brighten the season,” Barton said.
