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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

By Donnie A. Lucas Following the announcement by Gov. Greg Abbott last Friday that all Texas schools are to remain closed for the remainder of the school year, the University Interscholastic League canceled all remaining 2019-2020 spring activities and state championships.

By Kathy Thomson According to Shackelford County sheriff Ed Miller, everyone needs to be aware that scammers are using the current -COVID-19 pandemic to try and con people out of money and personal information.

By Lynsi Musselman Shackelford  County ResourceCare Community Health Center will be awarded $753,000 in coronavirus relief funds, according to an announcement last week by U.S. Senator John Cornyn.  The funding comes from the $76,701,360 that was awarded to Texas by the U.S.

By Lynsi Musselman Being bored, lethargic, and sedentary during the quarantine is a commonality for many residents, bringing to mind the old saying,“Idle hands are the devil’s workshop.

By Lynsi Musselman Albany has several local energy companies that employ residents and help keep the area economy healthy.  Even before the coronavirus, there was a decline in oil prices only made worse by a price war between Russia and Saudi Arabia. H.R.