By Donnie A. Lucas

Nine new COVID-19 cases were reported last week, based on the tests administered at Albany’s two health clinics.

The weekly report by county judge Bob Skelton issued Tuesday reported 9 positive test results out of 19 tests given at the two local clinics for the period of July 25-29.

The use of home testing has also increased after tests were made more readily available earlier this year, making it unclear as to the actual number of local cases.

The previous week, a total of 11 positives was reported from 19 persons tested.

By Sam Waller

Local students can still benefit from the annual Adopt-A-Buddy program sponsored by the Shackelford County Resource Center, with the objective of making sure that all Albany and Moran students have adequate school supplies before the start of classes for the 2022-2023 school year.

Registration deadline for the program is this Friday, Aug. 5.

As it has for decades, the Adopt-A-Buddy program helps provide school supplies for children in Shackelford County.

By Sam Waller

Registration for the Albany Chamber of Commerce’s community garage sale will start Monday, Aug. 22.

“It’s time to start getting ready,” Chamber manager Mary Beth Jones said.

The garage sale is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 10. Jones said registration will close on Wednesday, Sept. 7.

The Chamber traditionally sponsors the city-wide event on the second Saturday of September.

A $10 registration fee covers inclusion on a map of garage sale participants and a yard sign.

By Melinda L. Lucas

The City of Albany will test the emergency warning siren at 12:00 noon on Wednesday, Aug. 10, as it does the second Wednesday of every month, depending on the weather.

The tests keep citizens familiar with the three warning sounds, and they are also used to make sure that the siren, computer, software, and radios are working correctly.

The siren should sound one of the three emergency tones at noon on that day, but the siren is not tested if the weather is questionable, according to local fire chief Travis Gardenhire.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Pick-up dates for the August distribution of the commodity food program will be Thursday, Aug. 4 and Friday, Aug. 5.

On Thursday Aug. 4, certified elgible families in Moran should pick up their monthly commodity food at the Moran City Hall between 9:00 and 11:00 a.m.

Certified eligible Albany families for the August food distribution program can pick up their commodity food on Friday Aug. 5 at the back door of the Justice of the Peace office from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Members of the Ragin’ Red Band will perform for the first time this season at the Ice Cream Supper set for Monday, Aug. 8 at the Bank Park.

Director William Vaughan said that the band will play the Alma Mater and the Fight Song at the event, which is slated to start at 6:30 p.m.

Immediately following the Ice Cream Supper, all band members will return to the band hall to change into their uniforms for group and individual pictures.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Parents who are interested in having a child participate in either the Head Start or the Pre-K Program should attend one of the two remaining in-person registration days to determine if they qualify.

There are still spots available for both the Head-Start and Pre-K programs offered at Nancy Smith Elementary School.

“We would rather have those parents come during the in-person registration days, but if they can’t do that, they can come to the grade school during regular office hours,” principal John Gallagher said.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Albany ISD teachers and support staff will start the school year on Tuesday, Aug. 9 with staff meetings and training.

The secondary teachers and staff, which includes personnel assigned to grades 7-12, will meet at at the Feed Store from 8:30 a.m. until noon, while the elementary staff will gather at the cafeteria on the Nancy Smith Ele­mentary campus during the same time period.

All AISD employees will then meet at 12:00 noon at the elementary cafeteria for a staff luncheon provided by the district.

By Sam Waller

Members of the Methodist church in Albany voted overwhelmingly last week to disaffiliate from the United Methodist Church.

Lance Thomas, president of the church’s board of trustees, said 32 church members voted Tuesday, July 26, with 94 percent favoring disaffiliation.

“This process has been going on for about 20 years, but in the last two or three general conferences, it’s kind of come to a head,” Thomas said. “It’s about how people see the Word of God."

By Sam Waller

Rev. Bob Heidecker has assumed the duties as pastor of Albany Methodist Church, taking over for Tim Trimble.

Heidecker, who has spent 43 years in the ministry, comes to Albany from Pleasant Valley United Methodist Church in Amarillo. His first sermon in Albany was Sunday, July 3.

“I’d been praying about some place to be minister of a church and also be closer to family,” Heidecker said. “Albany is about four hours closer to our children.”