The City of Albany will test the emergency warning siren at 12:00 noon on Wednesday, Aug. 12, as it does the second Wednesday of every month, depending on the weather.

Bios of new staff members, along with faculty assignments and school supply lists, are included in the special back-to-school section in this week’s issue. There are also articles about precautions being taken in light of the pandemic, a new registration program, and vaccination requirements.

By Lynsi Musselman Old Jail Art Center’s virtual camps started this week, with another workshop scheduled for next week. OJAC education director Erin Whitmore said the Cultural Connections Camp had a great enrollment with several campers from out-of-town and around the state.

Texas shoppers get a break from state and local sales taxes on August 7-9, the state’s annual tax holiday.  School supply items and clothing make up the list of exempt items, which until four years ago had been limited to clothing and backpacks. Online shopping is also covered.

By Lynsi Musselman Keeping healthy during the school year is not a new concern for families but with COVID-19 worries, precautions are being taken even more seriously than usual.

By Lynsi Musselman New students at Albany High School and Albany Junior High school, including all incoming seventh graders, are urged to register online for a time slot to come to campus for a personal face-to-face orientation.

By Lynsi Musselman Ragin’ Red Band members and the new Albany band director William Vaughn met this week to begin summer practices. Vaughn said practice will take place mainly in the band hall starting at 5:00 p.m. each night until Aug. 14.

By Lynsi Musselman While it may seem like spring break never ended, the first day of the 2020-2021 school year is approaching for Shackelford County students, and new school supplies are in demand.

Agricultural producers can now apply for USDA’s Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP), which provides direct payments to offset impacts from the coronavirus pandemic.

By Lynsi Musselman Albany sports fans are invited to attend the All-Sports Athletic Booster Club Hamburger Supper that will be held at the Bank Park on Monday, Aug. 10 at 6:00 p.m. The community event will serve a packaged meal in brown bags, handed to guests with a bottle of water for a cost of...