By Donnie A. Lucas
Eight local senior athletes who were chosen earlier in the year to compete in the 2020 Big Country FCA All-Star Festival set for June received the news last week that the event has been cancelled due to due to ongoing concerns with the Coronavirus -COVID-19 pandemic.
The 21st annual FCA Festival was scheduled for June 7-13 at various locations around the Big Country, including Abilene, Brownwood, Eastland, and San Angelo.
By Kathy Thomson
Communities across the country recognize those who help save lives in times of personal or national crisis during National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, held April 12-18.
Shackelford County sheriff Ed Miller said that the work done by telecommunicators is very important, not only for those dialing 9-1-1, but also for him and other first responders.
“They’re the first person contacted by those calling in for help, and they are our life-line when we are on a call,” the sheriff said, “We depend on them.”
By Lynsi Musselman
Jo and Matthew Hise of Moran are Big Country East FCA’s Huddle Coaches of the Year.
“This is a big honor,” Jo Hise said. “We love being involved in FCA and going to the family coaches camp. It is an awesome time and a huge blessing.”
Big Country Fellowship of Christian Athletes engages coaches and athletes from Abilene and surrounding areas to grow in their faith and sport.
By Lynsi Musselman
Moran Independent School District board is still awaiting approval to consider accepting a tax deferment proposal by a windmill company which intends to start a project south of Moran.
Part of the planned windmill farm will be in the MISD taxing district.
RWE Renewables Americas LLC claims to be one of the world’s leading renewable energy companies, with around 3,500 employees. The company has applied for a value limitation agreement on property taxes for the first few years they are up and running.
School Schedule
By Lynsi Musselman
The Shackelford County Library has an online resource making reading more accessible.
The doors might be temporaily closed due to the coronavirus but books are still available.
Children to adult books in a variety of generes can be located at https://shackelford.biblionix.com.
“It is like the whole library is at your fingertips without leaving the comfort of your home,” said Janna Ledbetter, Study Club library chair.
By Melinda L. Lucas
Shackelford County Hospital District directors checked in via an “Uber conference” call for a brief meeting at noon on Monday, April 20, working through the business of both the district and the clinic in a quick 20-minute session.
Hospital district administrator Jera Fairley told board members that “drug diversion” investigations are ongoing by both the sheriff’s office and the Texas Rangers, commenting that “it is getting closer to resolution.”
By Melinda L. Lucas
Still free of confirmed -COVID-19 cases at press time on Wednesday morning, local residents continue to practice social distancing and limited outings as the number of Texas deaths and positive tests rises.
Since last week’s issue, four more local tests have been administered for a total of 12. Eleven have come back with negative results, and one is pending.
By Melinda L. Lucas
Along with a long discussion about pandemic-related graduation ideas, Albany ISD trustees accepted a couple of resignations and renewed contracts at Monday’s April board meeting.
The resignations of elementary teacher Teri Antilley and band director Richard Murrow were both accepted after a 1-1/2 hour closed session.
In addition, the board voted to renew current term and probationary facility contracts, along with approval of letters of assurance for the support staff.
By Melinda L. Lucas
Cancellations and suspensions of local events are ongoing through the coronavirus crisis, and the News will continue to publicize these as they are reported.
After the governor’s announcement last week that schools will remain closed through the semester, several school events were formally put on the cancellation list.
CLOSED UNTIL
FURTHER NOTICE
•All businesses except those considered essential, such as grocery stores, pharmacies, banks, feed stores, health clinics, etc.
By Melinda L. Lucas
Up to $50,000 in aid to local small businesses was approved by the Albany city council in an emergency meeting on Tuesday morning, with council members expressing concern for the future of local retailers.
Last week, city manager Billy Holson said that he had asked the directors of the Albany Economic Development Corporation to release funding for a “Business Rescue Grant,” and they had agreed to support the program.
