By Lynsi Musselman The Old Jail Art Center opened to members by appointment only on Tuesday, June 16. OJAC director Pat Kelly said there have only been a few members visit the museum so far. “A low number of visitors to start out is what we expected,” Kelly said.

Parents of seniors who will be in the Albany High School Class of 2021 are asked to attend a meeting on Sunday afternoon, June 28 in the AHS auditorium. According to secondary counselor Jenny Scott, the special meeting will start at 2:00 p.m., with social distancing to be observed.

Albany News customers should be on the lookout for a couple of changes over the next few weeks. Both readers and advertisers are asked to be aware that no newspaper will be published, either in print or online, during the week of July 6.

By Lynsi Musselman Due to the coronavirus, the primary run-off elections originally scheduled for May 26 were postponed to July 14 by Gov. Greg Abbott’s proclamation back in March, with early voting for Shackelford County residents to get underway at the courthouse next Monday, June 29.

By Donnie A. Lucas Only one new -COVID-10 test was administered in Shackelford County in the last week, bringing the total number to 31 since the pandemic began in March.

Despite ongoing coronavirus restrictions, blood is still needed, and a blood drive is scheduled to take place in Albany next Thursday afternoon, June 25. Hendrick Regional Blood Center (formerly Meek Blood Center) will park its bloodmobile at First Baptist Church at the usual time from 1:00 p.m.

By Lynsi Musselman One meaning of the word fandangle is “ornate or fantastic ornament,” much like the cast and crew is to the Fort Griffin Fandangle.

By Melinda L. Lucas Albany ISD trustees hired a new band director and accepted the resignation of a longtime employee at Monday’s monthly school board meeting.

By Lynsi Musselman Fort Griffin State Historic Site is now open and operational after the -COVID-19 government shutdown, with restrictions for no more than six guests in the building at one time.

By Melinda L. Lucas Dr. Donald Phillips of Aledo was named medical director of the Shackelford County EMS after the board met in closed session Monday, June 15. Phillips replaces Dr. Mitch Moriber of Abilene, who has served as medical director since 2010.