By Donnie A. Lucas

With just over two weeks of instruction remaining, local school officials are preparing for the end of what undoubtably has been the strangest school year in memory.

Both the secondary and elementary campuses will continue to deliver instructional content online or with printed packets that must be picked up once each week.

While both campus principals say that participation in remote learning has been successful, there are still some students who have not participated completely or at all.

Secondary Update

By Kathy Thomson

Even during unusual times like the current coronavirus pandemic, regular blood donations are needed in order to ensure the continued adequacy of the supply at area hospitals, so Hendrick’s bloodmobile is in Albany today for the regularly scheduled Kiwanis Club sponsored blood drive.

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. until 6:00 p.m.

By Lynsi Musselman

Home health and community care workers, along with those providing outpatient care, have made adjustments while serving patients during the coronavirus pandemic.

There are several companies and care givers that serve Albany with in-home care to local patients. 

With recommendations from the CDC that older adults and those with chronic conditions practice social distancing, home health provides the care needed without the need for seniors and others to leave home. 

The Texas A&M Agri-Life Extension Service will hold the West Region Wheat Production Tour on Thursday, May 7. 

This will be a virtual event, replacing the Agri-Life Extension District 6 and District 7 live meetings, which had to be cancelled due to COVID-19.

Participants must preregister by May 5. The online event will run from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., with a cost of $10.

Registration is available at agriliferegister.tamu.edu/productListingDetails/3111.

By Melinda L. Lucas

After the governor announced earlier this week that some businesses can open back up under certain restrictions, there will be fewer stores and offices closed after Friday.

Also, restaurants will be able to reopen their in-house dining facilities at 50 percent capacity on May 1.

Remaining closed until Phase II of the governor’s plan are hair and nail salons, barber shops, gyms, and bars.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The county commissioners court voted Monday to open the doors to the courthouse to the public again, ending a limited access policy that was in force for several weeks due to concerns about the coronavirus pandemic.

The court also specified a number of county-maintained roads to be considered for a proposed speed limit pending a public hearing set for the next regular meeting on Monday, May 11 at 8:30 a.m.

By Lynsi Musselman

With more time at home, many people in Albany have stepped up their culinary endeavors.

Local resident Megan Ledbetter said she typically cooks meals at home, but with the temporary close of her business, she started taking more time to prepare gourmet type meals and fancy desserts.

“I feel like Betty Crocker,” Ledbetter said. “Normally I nuke things in the microwave.”

Ledbetter said this has been a family experience. Her three-year-old daughter mixes all the eggs and her five-year-old son chops the vegetables. 

By Kathy Thomson

Pick-up dates for the May distribution of the commodity food program are expected to take place as scheduled, on May 7 and 8 using the same outdoor distribution protocols enacted last month so participants can more easily maintain proper social distancing.

The Albany distribution will once again take place outside of the building.

“We will set the bags out back on a table,” said Melissa Hobbs at the Justice of the Peace office. “We are relying on the integrity and honesty of people to only take their bag.”

By Lynsi Musselman

The 2020 Census for Shackelford County, and all of the United States, is facing challenges that puts everyone at risk for an undercount.

Currently, Shackelford County’s response rate is 26.2 percent. 

According to the census bureau, this is one of the lowest percentages in Congressional District 60. 

The response rate for the entire state is below 50 percent, ranking 38th in the nation.

By Lynsi Musselman

Social-distancing creates an environment for personal prayer and comteplation this year during National Day of Prayer. 

Albany churches will welcome all faiths for individual prayer on Thursday, May 7, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Albany’s National Day of Prayer will be organized as a come and go event to avoid large gatherings. Individuals are encouraged to visit any church, or more than one church.