Only a few local organizations have responded to Albany High School’s request to contact Ann Riley in the AHS office about upcoming scholarships to be given to graduating seniors.

“We’ve already sent instructions to the seniors and they have to get their letters back in by April 15,” said Riley. “It will sure make it easier if they know what scholarships there are to apply for.”

Riley had originally asked that representatives call her by March 23 with the information, but that deadline has already passed.

By Kathy Thomson

Tornadoes hit several structures in Shackelford County early in the morning on March 19, causing extensive damage to structures, but sparing the residents living inside.

Tornadoes caused damage at the Robertson Prison Unit before the storm crossed into Shackelford County.

Donald and Patricia Muir’s farm house near Hamby on CR 152 received the brunt of the storm’s fury in this county.

Four members of the family, Donald, Paticia, and one of their sons, Arnold, along with a grandson, Jesse Muir, were at home. 

By Melinda L. Lucas

Public access to the historic Shackelford County Courthouse is now restricted by order of the commissioners court, with action taken at a Monday, March 23 meeting and effective Tuesday morning.

The resolution allows exterior doors on both the Courthouse and the Justice of the Peace office to be locked during business hours, with signs posted to call the appropriate office if access is needed for permits, etc. 

By Melinda L. Lucas

With the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the U.S. doubling every few days, and local leaders expecting more cases to show up in the Big Country in the near future, Albany city council members met in emergency session on Thursday, March 19 to take action on a declaration of disaster.

Meeting along with the city officials were Albany ISD superintendent Jonathan Scott and Shackelford County judge Robert Skelton.

The city’s emergency management coordinator, Carrie Holson, was also present.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Albany teachers have remained busy over the last week transitioning to alternate delivery methods of education materials and content in the wake of the school’s closure due to the COVID-19 concerns.

The local district started a two-week closure to students last Monday that was due to end next Tuesday, but the shutdown was made mandatory statewide by Gov. Greg Abbott through April 3.

By Kathy Thomson

Albany restaurant owners are trying to adjust to a new and unprecedented normal brought on by the coronavirus pandemic, and Shackelford residents are encouraged to help them keep their businesses open. 

By Melinda L. Lucas

Albany ISD’s school meal program started this week with pickup breakfast and lunch bags, and administrators are looking at possibly setting up remote locations if needed.

AISD cafeteria manager Debra Boyett said Tuesday that her staff handed out about 20 breakfasts the first two morning, along with 35 to 40 lunches on those two days.

“The pickup procedure in the circle drive at the elementary school is working well, so we’re going to continue distributing as many meals as we can that way,” said Boyett.

By Kathy Thomson

The staff at the Moran Independent School District is working to meet the needs of their students, with lessons available online, by email, or by hard copy, and meals provided to local students by request.

“We are still supplying a few meals for students,” said superintendent Danny Freeman. “For those families that have requested meals, we are providing breakfast and lunch twice a week.”

By Kathy Thomson

The City of Moran is still working to complete the paperwork required before they can begin using the $275,000 in HUD Community Development Block Grant funds earmarked for replacing approximately 2,500 of eight inch sewer lines running along Fisher Avenue and Grand Avenue, and as of press time on Tuesday, commodities were scheduled to be available as normal on Friday, April 3. However, COVID-19 concerns have interrupted most other city activities in Moran.

By Melinda L. Lucas

City, school, and county officials are on the front lines of the worldwide coronavirus surge as they carefully but quickly navigate state and federal recommendations to rein in the “beast” before it grows to the proportions that it has in other countries.

In addition to Albany’s school closure for a minimum 14-day period and Moran ISD’s shutdown at least through April 3, local mayor pro tem Susan Montgomery has taken steps to try to protect local citizens, particularly those susceptible to becoming critically ill.