By Kathy Thomson

Moran Independent School District, along with several other schools in the Big Country area, cancelled classes last Wednesday and Thursday, Feb. 5 and 6, due to forecasts of extremely cold and hazardous winter conditions.

Classes resumed on Friday, Feb. 7 with all bus routes and other school operations back to normal.

MISD does not need to “make up” the two days missed last week, because the current schedule includes 76,800 minutes, well above the 75,600 required by the state, according to superintendent Danny Freeman.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Less than a month after the resignation of EMS director Mary Quintero, directors of the Shackelford County Hospital District met in special session early Monday morning, Feb. 3 to review three applications and name a successor.

Tina Ulbrich, who has worked as a paramedic with the local ambulance crew for the past five years, was hired as EMS supervisor, effective immediately, after a 55-minute closed session.

Ulbrich officially began her duties on Tuesday.

By Melinda L. Lucas

February is member appreciation month at the Old Jail Art Center, and several special events have been lined up in the next few weeks that should interest not only current members, but everyone who has an interest in promoting the arts.

The museum staff is showing its love for the OJAC membership all month long, and a gift is available for members who drop by in February.

Administrative assistant Tatum Green will hand out “cups full of goodies” at the front desk.

By Melinda L. Lucas

A “lock-out” at both Albany school campuses on Friday morning, Jan. 31, called by administrators because of parent concerns, lasted less than an hour, and even though local law enforcement picked up an Albany man as a result, it was not thought that students or staff were ever in any danger.

According to Shackelford County sheriff Edward Miller, Lino Martinez was taken into custody a little after 10:00 a.m. on an “emergency detention order for psychiatric services,” and was transported that afternoon to a medical facility.

By Kathy Thomson

The deadline to file for local offices on the May 2 ballot is only one week away, and as of press time on Tuesday, only seven candidates had turned in their paperwork, leaving plenty of opportunities for additional civic-minded locals to volunteer to help lead their community. 

Incumbent Lester Galbreath filed for reelection as councilman for the city of Albany this week and Ragan Riley turned in her paperwork to join the Albany city council.

By Kathy Thomson

Although the Shackelford County stock show is over, the “Majors” are just getting started, and several local youth have recently placed well with their project animals at the Southwestern Exposition and Livestock Show in Fort Worth and/or the San Angelo Livestock Show.

Connor Clark’s lamb was chosen as the reserve champion Texas Stars fine wool wether dam at San Angelo over the weekend.

Also placing at the Texas Stars show was Paisley Clark, who took fourth place with her Southdown wether dam.

By Kathy Thomson

One Act Play (OAP) co-director Jenny Scott and 18 Albany High School students are preparing for their University Interscholastic League district competition next month.

The 2A District 8 OAP meet will be held in Stamford on Thursday, March 5.

The Albany thespians will be performing scenes from The 39 Steps adapted by Patrick Barlow from the 1915 novel by John Buchan and the 1935 film by Alfred Hitchcock.

By Kathy Thomson

Albany Sports Center took three cheer teams to the Varsity Spirit Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders National Championship in Arlington on Saturday, Feb. 1, and along with the team awards, one Albany participant was named for an individual honor.

Albany High School freshman Haily Cox won a “WOW” award.

ASC coach Kandi Ray explained that the judges give the special recognition WOW awards to the team members that most impress them during the competitions. 

Next Friday, Feb. 14, is an optional/required fifth day at Moran. Monday, Feb. 17 MISD will be closed in honor of Presidents’ Day.

MISD will be closed for spring break on the week of March 9-13.

By Kathy Thomson

The last day to register to vote in the upcoming March 3 primary election is next Monday, Feb. 3.

According to Belinda Perez, who is in charge of voter registration in Shackelford County, everything is going well. 

“We mailed voter registration cards in December, and we sent out reminder letters to everyone whose voter registration card was returned to us by the Post Office,” Perez said.