By Sam Waller

After two false starts, Shackelford County 4-H held a STEM camp session Tuesday, July 26 at The Feed Store.

Shackelford County extension agent Kelsey Bell said 12 students attended the session for science, technology, engineering, and math.

Sessions scheduled for the previous two weeks had to be cancelled because of low registration, staffing issues, and COVID-19 concerns.

Bell said efforts to add another session before the start of school did not work out.

By Sam Waller

Deadline to register students for ResourceCare’s Adopt-A-Buddy program is Friday, Aug. 5.

The Adopt-A-Buddy program helps provide school supplies for Shackelford County children.

Application forms are available at the front desk at the Resource Center. Forms should be returned to ResourceCare by the end of the workday on Aug. 5.

The Adopt-A-Buddy program benefits not just elementary students, but junior high and high school ages can also apply.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Summer band practice started in earnest this week, with the band pit and drum line meeting in the afternoon, followed by the brass and woodwinds starting at 6:00 p.m.

The band’s pit crew are meeting from 12:30 until 2:30 p.m. through Thursday (today), followed by the drum line at 3:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Pick-up dates for the August distribution of the commodity food program  provided by Shackelford County are Aug. 4-5.

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

Albany families who have been certified as eligible for the June food distribution program may pick up their food on Friday, Aug. 5 from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. at the rear door of the JP office.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Registration for all Albany ISD students will open online beginning Monday, Aug. 1, with in-person registration available later in the week.

The district is once again using the Ascender Parent Portal for registration, with a link available on the district website. Parents are instructed to access the “Parents Sources” tab, then look for the Ascender Parent Portal.

By Melinda L. Lucas

This Sunday afternoon, July 31, Albany High School students who are interested in dual-credit classes through Cisco College are asked to meet at the secondary library starting at 2:00 p.m., along with one or both of their parents.

The session was originally scheduled for June 3 but was postponed because of conflicts.

AISD career counselor Jenny Scott and new school counselor Kelly Windham will present the dual-credit course offerings for the 2022-2023 school year.

By Sam Waller

Community Vacation Bible School and inaugural R.O.P.E. program closed out its four-night run Wednesday, July 27 with a Family Night and pool party.

The programs, which are sponsored by the Albany Ministerial Alliance, were a rousing success, according to organizer Angie Hinshaw.

“Our message to the kids was that they are created by God, designed by God and empowered by the Holy Spirit,” she said.

Hinshaw said attendance for both VBS and R.O.P.E. (Rights of Passage Experience) was strong.

By Sam Waller

Closet Angels held a Teacher Appreciation Tuesday fundraiser Tuesday, July 26 in preparation for its Back to School Bash.

The Back to School Bash is scheduled for 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. next Monday, Aug. 1.

Heather Nitschke, Daivis Gallagher, and Brandi Lehew organized Tuesday’s event, arranging a rack of $1 items for local educators.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The number of positive COVID-19 cases increased last week, continuing a trend of more local cases over the last month.

The weekly report by county judge Bob Skelton issued Tuesday reported 11 positive test results out of 19 tests given at the two local health clinics for the period of July 18-22. However, the use of home testing has also increased, raising a question about the actual number of local cases.

The previous week, a total of five positives was reported from 20 tests.

By Sam Waller

Fans of Albany Lions and Lady Lions athletics will get to meet members of fall sports teams for football, volleyball, and cross country Monday, Aug. 8 at the Albany Athletic Booster Club’s Ice Cream Supper at the Bank Park.

Food will be served at 6:30 p.m. with player introductions starting at 7:00 p.m.

“Folks need to bring their own chairs,” Booster Club member Amanda Tabor said. “We’re not going to have the tables set up. It’ll be more picnic style so people can stand and move around.”