By Melinda L. Lucas During their regular meeting on Monday, Aug. 19, school board trustees learned details about the Albany ISD’s “B” grade in the state’s accountability ratings, and reviewed some of the plans to make improvements during the upcoming year.

By Kathy Thomson The school year is underway and with it comes a daily commute by hundreds of children to and from the local campuses by school bus, car, bicycle, and on foot.

By Kathy Thomson At least three local churches have special events for students scheduled to take place next week, and all of them have invited area youth to join in their activities.

By Kathy Thomson Friendship Baptist Church has a fun back to school event planned next Wednesday evening from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., and parents and their elementary aged children are invited to come to the Back to School Bash, enjoy food and fun, and get signed up for Friendship Tribe.

By Kathy Thomson The Feed Store served the first junior/senior Tuesday lunch of the new school year this Tuesday, Aug. 20, and the non-denominational youth ministry executive director Tisha Wilkins said that she was pleased with the turnout. “We had 57 students, which was great!” Wilkins said.

By Kathy Thomson Registration is still open for the Albany Golf Club’s annual Labor Day tournament, and according to president Randy Walker on Monday, both morning and afternoon tee times are available.

By Kathy Thomson The 2019-2020 school year starts at 8:00 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 26 for students in the Moran Independent School District, and staff members have been busily preparing for their arrival. “Teachers have been hard at work getting their classrooms prepared,” said new principal Jo Hise.

By Kathy Thomson Shackelford County youth between the ages of eight and 18 who are interested in participating in 4-H activities are encouraged to attend a 4-H club meeting next Tuesday, Aug. 27 at 6:30 p.m. at The Feed Store.

By Kathy Thomson Shifters Car Club third annual Truck Show took place in downtown Albany last Saturday, with 23 entries in the contest and assorted host vehicles also on display.

Officers who will serve during the upcoming year for Moran Masonic Lodge #863 were installed in Clyde earlier this summer.