By Lynsi Musselman

Moran Independent School District superintendent Danny Freeman and school board member Sug Roller presented diplomas to seven seniors at Friday evening’s commencement exercises.

Graduates and eight family members per student were in attendance at the ceremony.

“We made every effort to practice safe social distancing and make all attendees comfortable,” Freeman said. “Additonal spectators drove up or stood outside the rock wall of the school to watch the seniors.”

By Lynsi Musselman

The Moran City Volunteer Fire Department received a new fire brush truck from the Texas Forest Service on Monday.

Moran currently has one fire engine used to respond to house fires, vehicle crashes, and grass fires that can be reached from the road.

“We have an agreement to respond to any rural area fires within a 10-mile radius and to help Albany if needed,” City of Moran Mayor and Volunteer Fire Chief Steve Taggart said.

By Lynsi Musselman

Shackelford County Youth Livestock Association members met Tuesday, May 26 to discuss plans and elect officers for the 2020-2021 season.

After all members met together, the directors stayed to elect officers. Both meetings had been postponed due to -COVID-19 meeting restrictions.

“Not much changed from this year’s show,” said board president Bronco Askew. “The times and format will be the same as 2020. The only new business is an additional pig sale.”

Rule Changes and Show Dates

By Donnie A. Lucas

In the continuing effort to contain the spread of -COVID-19 coronavirus, the old adage of “no news is good news” definitely applies.

Shackelford County continues to hold the virus at bay with no new tests administered over the last week and only one positive case reported.

According to county judge Robert Skelton, the county continues to hold at 28 tests conducted locally with 28 negative results. 

By Donnie A. Lucas

No new tests for -COVID-19 were reported over the last week in Shackelford County, with the total holding at 28 negative tests.

According to a release by county judge Robert Skelton on Tuesday, there are no active cases currently and the one previous positive case already reported has been released from self-isolation after testing negative to a follow-up test.

“Since there has only been one case here, there have not been any big changes for our county since we opened businesses and restaurants at 50 percent in Phase II,” Skelton said.

By Melinda L. Lucas

In a “socially distant” ceremony that looked much different than most Albany graduations in recent years, dozens of local scholarships were presented to members of the Albany High School Class of 2020 during commencement exercises held last Saturday morning, May 23.

The event was held at the Robert Nail Memorial Stadium, planned quickly but thoroughly over a two-week period after school officials decided that the 41 AHS seniors could receive their diplomas in person and still comply with the state’s newest COVID-19 restrictions.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Shackelford County Commissioners added another county road to the list of roadways that will soon have speed limits posted, along with taking another step in the process of repaving the parking lot at the Courthouse, during a meeting held Tuesday.

A public hearing was held just before the regular meeting to hear comments on adding CR 157 to the list of roadways that will have posted speed limits that was approved at the May 11 meeting.

By Lynsi Musselman

It’s happening more frequently as the pandemic continues – residents who avoid calling 9-1-1 in time of need because of the fear of COVID-19 exposure.

Shackelford County EMS director Tina Ulbrich emphasized this week that county residentsdefinitely need to call 9-1-1 if they are having any type of medical emergency.

“We are here to help. The consequences of not calling can outweigh the risks of possibly going to the emergency room,” Ulbrich said. “All hospitals are taking the proper precautions to not expose patients.”

By Lynsi Musselman

Albany senior citizens are still waiting for the green light to meet in their new activity center.

Shackelford County Senior Citizen Activity Center board president Tracy Sullivan said because of coronavirus fears, there is no opening date set for the new activity center located at 5 South Jacobs Street.

Eventually, the center will be open Monday through Fridays from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Sullivan said the center will provide a gathering place for senior citizens to  meet for fellowship and drink coffee.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Members of the Shackelford County Hospital District’s board of directors met by “Uber conference” for the second month in a row, but tentatively plan to meet in person for the June 15 session.

All seven members checked in for the remote meeting, with mostly routine agenda items except for those related to -COVID-19.

District administrative Jera Fairley reported that patient visits at the clinic are still down drastically because of the pandemic scare, and even telehealth calls have decreased.