A new teacher group orientation meeting for new Albany ISD staff members took place yesterday, Aug. 8 at the elementary school.

Three water fountains, one each at the elementary school, the junior high, and the high school, have recently been replaced with water bottle filling stations, according to school nurse Lisa Russell. “We are so excited about our three new water bottle filling stations,” the nurse said.

Four local 4-H members participated in the Multi-County 4-H Food and Nutrition Camp held in Abilene last week, with the Taylor County AgriLife Extension Service hosting the event.

The final two Old Jail Art Center sponsored children’s summer camps take place in the next week, with limits expected to be reached for both classes. Eighth through 12th graders will participate in the Cell Series Teen Workshop on Friday, Aug. 10.

The next star gazing  party at Fort Griffin State Historic Site will give participants a great opportunity to view the Perseids meteor shower, which will peak the very next night. The staff will host the August Stars & Skies of Texas event this Saturday night, Aug. 11, starting at 8:30 p.m.

The local fire departments have been busy with several calls over the past week, including two that required some special skills. A propane tank fire at an oil lease on the Nail Ranch last Wednesday, Aug.

Students who still need school physicals can make an appointment with one of two local clinics. Both the Shackelford County Health Clinic and  ResourceCare charge $25 for a school physical.

Plans are underway for the Albany Golf Club’s traditional Labor Day tournament set for Sept. 1-2 at the local course.  Registration for  the two-person scramble was officially opened after a Monday night board meeting held to finalize plans. Participants in the tourney will tee off at 8:30 a.m.

Albany’s Kami Norton was one of three women across the country to be named as a Women’s Scholar Athlete of the Year in NCAA Div. II Track and Field, a first for any female athlete at Angelo State University in San Angelo.

The Moran Independent School District is fully staffed for the upcoming year, according to superintendent Danny Freeman. “We just finished our hiring for this school year,” said Freeman last week. “Teacher in-service will begin Aug. 10 for all new staff, and Aug. 13 for everyone else.