By Donnie A. Lucas

With almost three weeks of doing school work at home due to school closures prompted by the novel coronavirus outbreak, parents have mixed reactions to supervising the completion of assignments sent home by teachers during the shutdown.

Local students have not been in the classroom since being released for spring break on March 6 due to a statewide shuttering of all schools by  Texas governor Greg Abbott. The closure initially was set through tomorrow, April 3, but was extended on Tuesday by the governor until May 4. 

By Melinda L. Lucas

Shackelford County chief appraiser Clayton Snyder is officially extending the deadline to submit property renditions one full month to May 15, in light of the impact on local businesses by the coronavirus.

The renditions were originally due by April 15. 

“Business owners have a lot on their plates right now, and finishing their renditions is not at the top of their priority list,” said Snyder. “In accordance with guidance from the Comptroller this week, I’ve decided to move the deadline back.”

By Kathy Thomson

The 2020 Shackelford County Youth and Livestock Association’s Buyer-Seller Banquet has been cancelled, but checks will be delivered to livestock sellers as soon as all of the pledge money is turned in, according to SCYLA president Bronco Askew.

“The officers and board of directors communicated by text and voted to cancel the banquet,” said Askew. “Our regular meeting to review how the show went this year, consider rule changes, and elect officers  is on hold.”

By Melinda L. Lucas

The April 11 annual community Easter egg hunt sponsored by the Albany Volunteer Fire Department has been cancelled, with plans to possibly reschedule some event later in the spring.

According to fire chief Kyle Tischler, AVFD members decided last week that the event should be cancelled.

“We definitely want to do something for our kids since most will be unable to celebrate like they usually do, but we’ll decide on that later,” said Tischler.

He added, though, that there are more pressing issues to be considered.

By Kathy Thomson

At least two local groups of women have been using their sewing skills to help battle the coronavirus by sewing masks for nurses and others on the front lines of this strange new “war.”

By Kathy Thomson

Thursday, April 2 is the last day to register to vote or make a change of address effective for the May 2 local board elections. 

Voter registration applications can be found online at votetexas.gov, or by contacting county voter registrar Belinda Perez at the Tax Assessor-Collector office at the Shackelford County Courthouse. Access to the Courthouse is currently limited due to -COVID-19, so those needing to register should contact call 325-762-9420 or email at belinda.perez@shackelfordcounty.org.

Vote By Mail

Only a few local organizations have responded to Albany High School’s request to contact Ann Riley in the AHS office about upcoming scholarships to be given to graduating seniors.

“We’ve already sent instructions to the seniors and they have to get their letters back in by April 15,” said Riley. “It will sure make it easier if they know what scholarships there are to apply for.”

Riley had originally asked that representatives call her by March 23 with the information, but that deadline has already passed.

By Kathy Thomson

Tornadoes hit several structures in Shackelford County early in the morning on March 19, causing extensive damage to structures, but sparing the residents living inside.

Tornadoes caused damage at the Robertson Prison Unit before the storm crossed into Shackelford County.

Donald and Patricia Muir’s farm house near Hamby on CR 152 received the brunt of the storm’s fury in this county.

Four members of the family, Donald, Paticia, and one of their sons, Arnold, along with a grandson, Jesse Muir, were at home. 

By Melinda L. Lucas

Public access to the historic Shackelford County Courthouse is now restricted by order of the commissioners court, with action taken at a Monday, March 23 meeting and effective Tuesday morning.

The resolution allows exterior doors on both the Courthouse and the Justice of the Peace office to be locked during business hours, with signs posted to call the appropriate office if access is needed for permits, etc. 

By Melinda L. Lucas

With the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the U.S. doubling every few days, and local leaders expecting more cases to show up in the Big Country in the near future, Albany city council members met in emergency session on Thursday, March 19 to take action on a declaration of disaster.

Meeting along with the city officials were Albany ISD superintendent Jonathan Scott and Shackelford County judge Robert Skelton.

The city’s emergency management coordinator, Carrie Holson, was also present.