By Sam Waller
Houses for Healing is constructing a tiny house to serve Shackelford County residents who need a place to stay while receiving medical care in Abilene.
Houses for Healing, founded by Brian and Karen Massey, is a ministry to engage the body of Christ in caring for the sick, taking in the stranger and loving one’s neighbor.
“Just like Jesus said to do,” Brian Massey said.
By Sam Waller
Four Moran faculty members took part this week in a workshop on self care for educators.
Moran teachers Gay Williams, Carly Henson, Betty Galvan, and Anita Wheat attended the program presented by the Region 14 Education Service Center on Monday, July 25 at Southern Hills Church in Abilene. Dr. Tina H. Boogren of Denver instructed educators from several school districts on how to better take care of themselves.
By Sam Waller
The Albany City Pool will close for the summer after Sunday, July 31, but will remain available for parties already booked, according to manager Meghan Walser.
“We will have normal pool hours until then,” Walser said. “We do have private parties scheduled for Aug. 7 and Aug. 17.”
Walser said the main factor in the closure is availability of lifeguards, most of whom are high school students who will be involved in preseason sports practice next week.
By Melinda L. Lucas
A fire reported after midnight on Tuesday completely destroyed several mobile homes on property thought to be that of Johnny Novian or members of his family.
Albany Volunteer Fire Chief Travis Gardenhire said that a call came in about 12:30 a.m. from Allsup’s, apparently after someone reported seeing the fire south of the Village Apartments. When firefighters arrived, three unoccupied trailers were “fully involved,” according to Gardenhire.
By Melinda L. Lucas
Former DPS officer and current county constable Xaiver Perez was offered a 187-day one-year employment agreement for a new position as Director of School Safety and Operations at the end of a July 18 board meeting as Albany ISD trustees continue to make strides toward more rigorous security policies.
AISD superintendent Jonathan Scott said at press time that details with Perez’s employment are ongoing, but “from all indications, we feel that this is going to work out.”
By Sam Waller
ResourceCare’s Day Camp was brought to an early end as a wave of COVID-19 cases last week forced the cancellation of the program’s second week.
“We had a great week, but unfortunately COVID hit,” ResourceCare’s Ragan Riley said. “The second week was going to be a rotation of Vacation Bible School at different churches, but we didn’t want to take kids around the community.”
Riley said a contributing factor was having a number of helpers going out of town this week for church camp.
By Donnie A. Lucas
While the dog days of summer usually span from July 3 until Aug. 11, according to the Farmer’s Almanac, the period of oppressive summer heat got a big head start this year.
Some individual daily high temperature records have been set so far in June and July, but surprisingly major records for Albany have yet to be broken.
The hottest temperature recorded in the 100+ years since records have been kept is 115 degrees set on June 27, 1972. The highest yet this year is 109 degrees reached Monday.
By Melinda L. Lucas
After satisfactorily completing a 90-day trial period, Brandi Green’s employment as Shackelford County Hospital District administrator was extended during a regular board meeting on Monday, July 18.
Green, who was moved to the administrator position on March 31, also received a $1,000 raise that will be divided in her paychecks between now and the end of the year.
The action came after a 30-minute closed session during which a housekeeping contract was also discussed.
Dax Neece of Albany graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Financial Management at Abilene Christian University’s May 2022 commencement.
Neece, an Albany High School graduate, is the son of Kim Neece Fuentes and the late Doug Neece. He plans to stay at ACU to obtain a master’s degree.
By Donnie A. Lucas
Some members of the high school band percussion section started daily practices for the 2022 marching season this week, with rehearsals expanding to all players next week.
The band’s pit crew met from 12:30 until 2:30 p.m. on Monday through Thursday last week, followed by the drumline at 3:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m.
“Some of the percussionists weren’t able to attend due a conflict with church camp, but we will get everyone coming next week,” band director William Vaughan said.
