By Sidney Bartee

An Albany blood drive is set for today, Aug. 5.

Hendrick Regional Blood Center will park the bloodmobile at First Baptist Church at the usual time from 1:00 to 6:00 p.m.

The blood center offers COVID-19 antibody testing at no charge to those who successfully donate.

The blood center depends on volunteer blood donors to supply 100 percent of the blood that is used for patient care at 17 area hospitals.

The Kiwanis Club blood drives are scheduled roughly every eight weeks throughout the year.

By Donnie A. Lucas

After going weeks, even months, without a single positive COVID-19 case, eight positive cases have been reported locally by one of the two local clinics.

The Shackelford County Hospital District Clinic has administered 25 tests since July 19, with eight positive results.

Results from the Resource Care Clinic in Albany showed that eight tests were given, but there were no positive cases.

Both local clinics offer testing for the coronavirus, and both have vaccines available to administer.

By Sidney Bartee

With the school year officially beginning for Moran students on Aug. 23, student and staff events are in full swing.

Cheer Camp

Moran varsity cheerleaders will begin cheer camp on Monday, Aug. 2.

The cheerleaders will practice from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. until Wednesday, Aug. 4.

According to cheerleader coach Liz Walls, the girls will learn new cheers, chants, stunts, and a new dance at the camp.

Walls commented that the cheerleaders held a bake sale fundraiser to fund this year’s camp.

Fall Sports

By Sidney Bartee

The deadline for football program ads has been extended until tomorrow, July 30.

Community members or businesses who want to purchase ads for the football program can contact a Booster Club officer.

Ad prices are $30 for a business card size, $60 for a quarter page, $120 for a half page, and $225 for a full page.

Annual Event

The annual Hamburger Supper held by the Albany Athletic Booster Club is scheduled for Monday, Aug. 9.

The event will be held at the Bank Park starting at 6:00 p.m.

By Sidney Bartee

Pick-up dates for the August distribution of the commodity food program will be Thursday, Aug. 5 and Friday, Aug. 6.

On Thursday Aug. 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.

Certified eligible Albany families for the August food distribution program can pick up their commodity food on Friday, Aug. 6 at the back door of the Justice of the Peace office from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Albany High School volleyball players, cheerleaders, and football participants will have team and individual photos taken over the next couple of weeks.

The AHS volleyball teams, who start practice this coming Monday, are scheduled Thursday afternoon, Aug. 5 at 5:00 p.m. in the main gym.

Members of the Albany varsity and junior varsity football teams will be in full pads on Friday, Aug. 6 for photos to be taken at Robert Nail Stadium.

The Lions and their coaches will gather at 1:30 p.m. after the morning practice.

By Sidney Bartee

The annual Back to School Bash at Closet Angels is scheduled for today, July 29 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Multiple drawings will be held during the two-hour event.

Families that would like to enter any drawings can sign up at the front desk, but they do not have to be present to win any prizes.

Applications for school supplies through the Resource Center will also be available.

First Financial Bank is providing hot dogs and gift cards, and Bethel Assembly will give Walmart gift cards for school supplies.

By Sidney Bartee

This year’s state sales tax holiday is set for Friday, Aug. 6 through Sunday, Aug. 8.

The law exempts sales tax on qualified items – such as clothing, footwear, school supplies, and backpacks – priced below $100, saving shoppers about eight dollars on every $100 they spend.

Because of the ­COVID-19 pandemic, cloth and disposable masks are now listed as a clothing item, making them exempt from sales tax on the weekend.

By Sidney Bartee

Tuesday, Aug. 3 is the deadline for parents to register their children for the annual Adopt-A-Buddy school supply program sponsored by Resource Care.

Applications are available for pickup at the front desks of the Resource Center and Closet Angels.

Forms should be returned to Resource Care by the end of the workday on Tuesday.

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

By Sidney Bartee

Summer rehearsals for all band members began on Monday, July 25 with no practices scheduled for Fridays.

On Monday, Aug. 2, percussionists will not have separate practice, but will join the rest of the band from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m.

Wednesday night practices are from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. so students can attend church.

Students will continue to rehearse, splitting their time between inside and outside practice, until Monday, Aug. 16.