By Lynsi Musselman The recent reported threats of the Asian Giant Hornet, also known as the murder hornet, coming to the United States, have left many people wondering if 2020 is a bad dream. The AGH is a predaceous hornet native to Asia, typically found in Japan and South Korea.

By Lynsi Musselman Shackelford County residents have the opportunity to back-to-school shop at Closet Angels, but there will be no “Back to School Bash” this year.

With the Texas economy slowly awakening from effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, Comptroller Glenn Hegar reminds shoppers they can save money on clothes and school supplies during the state’s sales tax holiday on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 7-9.

By Lynsi Musselman The countdown to the first day of school has started, and AISD officials urge parents to register students online by the deadline on Saturday, Aug. 1. Albany Independent School District director of student services Leigh Lowe said only about 180 students are registered.

By Lynsi Musselman School is starting in three weeks with extra first-day-of-school challenges and a focus on health. Precautions are being implemented to protect students, teachers, and staff from illness.

By Melinda L. Lucas Band members from eighth through 12th grade will starting meeting for practice next Monday evening, Aug. 3 at 5:00 p.m., according to new band director Will Vaughn. The musicians will not be able to march until Sept.

By Lynsi Musselman Old Jail Art Center patrons are slowly getting back to visiting the museum in person, but the staff still has many virtual opportunities available for those who like to visit from home.

By Lynsi Musselman Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar announced that the state sales tax revenue for Texas totaled $2.67 billion in June, 6.5 percent less than in June 2019. The city of Albany will receive a sales tax allotment of $36,935 from the state this July. The amount is up 7.

By Lynsi Musselman Albany band director William Vaughn is hard at work preparing the band hall for students to start practice on Monday, Aug. 3 through Friday, Aug. 7, and the week of  Monday, Aug. 10 through Friday, Aug. 14, starting at 5:00 p.m. in the band hall.

By Lynsi Musselman “Two bits, four bits, six bits a dollar” and other cheers will be heard  from Albany Bank Park when the Albany Cubs Cheer Camp 2020 gets underway next week. Camp will be held Monday, July 27 through Wednesday, July 29, 8:30 to 10:00 a.m.