The December Moran city council meeting has been rescheduled, according to city secretary Jackie Wallace.

The Moran city council normally meets on the third Tuesday of each month, but next month they will meet on Dec. 11, the second Tuesday instead.

“Due to the proximity to Christmas, council members determined that it should be moved up a week,” said Wallace. 

The Moran city council meeting will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 11, at the Moran City Hall, 340 Fisher Street. 

After weeks of interviews and deliberation, Albany ISD trustees unanimously selected local elementary principal Jonathan Scott as the district’s lone finalist, topping a list of 41 applicants for the post of superintendent.

The action came at the end of a closed session on Monday, Nov. 19, following a series of other closed meetings over the past month, most of them involving lengthy interviews.

According to interim superintendent Doyleen Terrell, the board met with nine of the 39 applicants, calling three back for a second interview.

Donations of $2,825 were made to the Albany Chest last week, bringing the total contributed toward the 2018 campaign goal of $42,000 up to $24,257. 

Twenty-six different organizations, including two new applicants, submitted requests for this year’s funding, all of which were considered by the board.

“The Chest continues to be a great way to support our community and the organizations who benefit our community so much,” board vice president Donnie Lucas said. “Even $5, $10, and $20 donations add up and help a lot if everyone who can contributes something.”

Two Shackelford County 4-H members were among the participants at the District 7 4-H Food Show held Thursday, Nov. 15 at the Taylor County Expo Center in Abilene. 

Johnnie Hise took fourth in the Senior Main Dish category with her Olive Garden Lasagna Re-creation.

Riley Reames competed in the Intermediate Main Dish category with her Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad.

The local Toys for Tots annual campaign got underway last week and members of Albany High School’s National Honor Society joined coordinator Marine SSgt. Doug Beaty to prepare and serve the annual fundraising luncheon on Sunday, Nov. 18, at the Youth Center.

“We had around $600 contributed at the meal, which is less than what was given last year,” Beaty said. “However, we did have some toys donated at the event. Overall, the meal was a success, since the food was donated by the NHS members and area grocery stores, so everything that was raised can be applied to the program.”

Signup is underway for local fifth and sixth grade boys and girls that want to play in Albany’s youth basketball league, according to organizer Clint Chapman.

“The deadline to sign up is Friday, Nov. 30,” Chapman said. “It’s a little earlier than it was last year.”

The registration fee is $35, and signup forms were sent home with students earlier this week. The fee and completed paperwork should be returned to the elementary school office or given to Chapman by the Nov. 30 deadline.

The Moran Independent School District hosted its annual Thanksgiving family luncheon at the school on Thursday, Nov. 15, before releasing students for the holidays on Friday, Nov. 16.

Thanksgiving Break

A teacher comp day and student holiday took place on Monday, Nov. 19, and the MISD campus then closed for the remainder of the week.

Classes at Moran resume at the usual times on Monday, Nov. 26.

Christmas Break

The next scheduled break at MISD will be for the Christmas holidays.

Big Country Electric Cooperative is again sponsoring three students to attend the 2019 Government-in-Action Youth Tour. 

The all-expenses-paid, weeklong learning and leadership event will be held in Washington, D.C., in June 2019. Winners receive a scholarship along with trip expenses. 

The contest is open to all area high school students with an application deadline of Jan. 24, 2019. Big Country EC will also donate a $500 grant to the school that has the most students submit videos.

Bell ringing, roof leaks, and a “wrap-up” of the year-long Courthouse restoration process took up most of an hour-long commissioners meeting on Tuesday morning, Nov. 13.

The elected officials also decided on a date for an open house to celebrate the completion of the extensive repairs, set for Monday, Nov. 26.

Repair Wrap

Alan Odom of Premier Metalwerks reported that he had scheduled a “water test” that morning for a recent leak in the third floor treasurer’s office, but because of the cold weather on Monday, it had been delayed.

A lunchtime fundraiser for the local Toys for Tots campaign is planned for this Sunday, Nov. 18, at the Youth Center, with help from members of Albany High School’s National Honor Society (NHS), and community members are encouraged to come and enjoy a good meal while helping to provide Christmas presents to disadvantaged local children.

Marine SSgt. Doug Beaty coordinates the program in Albany, which provides gifts for Albany children ages zero to 11, working through the Resource Center.