By Sam Waller
When Jackson Chapman decided to pass on an opportunity to play junior college baseball, he didn’t realize it would lead to him participating in the College World Series.
Chapman, a 2021 Albany graduate, wound up on college baseball’s biggest stage – Charles Schwab Field in Omaha, Nebraska – in a supporting role as Texas A&M’s bullpen catcher.
“I never thought I would end up doing that, being in Omaha,” Chapman said.
By Sam Waller
Moran faculty and staff have spent this week conducting inservice programs in preparation for the upcoming school year.
Inservice began Monday, Aug. 1 and will conclude Friday, Aug. 5.
The first day of school is Monday, Aug. 8 at Moran, which is employing a four-day class week this year.
Superintendent Dr. John Denson said inservice has dealt with a number of issues facing schools.
By Sam Waller
Low numbers are a fact of life at Moran, and it’s having an impact on the first week of preseason practice for fall sports.
The Bulldogs and Lady Bulldogs both began with less than the expected complement of athletes, which could cause some delays.
The football team began practice Monday, Aug. 1 with just four players in attendance. Coach John Hughes expects to field a team, but the first scrimmage date may be in jeopardy.
By Melinda L. Lucas
Fun and facts about Greece will kick off the Old Jail Art Center’s annual summer camps for kids next Wednesday, Aug. 3, with three spots open for students in grades 1-6.
There are also two openings for the Aug. 9 safari camp for grades 1-3.
Participants need to be registered for the remaining places for the on-site events by this Friday, July 29, according to OJAC education director Erin Whitmore.
By Donnie A. Lucas
School safety has come to the forefront in Albany and across the state over the summer due to a directive issued by the governor to the Texas Education Agency following a mass shooting at Uvalde ISD in May that left 19 students and two teachers dead.
Albany school officials have spent a considerable amount of time this summer conducting a targeted safety audit that largely focuses on access to school buildings.
By Melinda L. Lucas
A couple of big budget projects, both delayed for several years, moved up a few steps during Monday’s Shackelford County commissioners meeting, with significant progress reported on the Caldwell Lane Bridge, as well as a “partial bid” accepted to rebuild the deteriorating Courthouse parking lot.
In addition, the audit for the year ending September 2021 was accepted, and commissioners agreed that the Courthouse would be closed this Friday, July 29 for work on the “chiller.”
Caldwell Lane Bridge
By Sam Waller
Three performers with Albany roots will be part of the lineup for this year’s CareFest lineup, and through this Sunday, July 31, tickets are available at a discount, with VIP tickets already sold out.
The music festival, a fundraiser for Resource Care outreach programs, is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 27 at Happy Wife Happy Life Wedding and Events Venue.
“A huge thank you goes out to our sponsors who make this possible,” ResourceCare’s Ragan Riley said. “We are looking forward to our most successful CareFest yet.”
By Melinda L. Lucas
An Albany blood drive is set for today, July 28.
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 depends on volunteer blood donors to supply 100 percent of the blood that is used for patient care at 17 area hospitals.
Blood center officials said that there is always a need for blood donors of all types. In particular, officials said those who have O+ and O- are needed.
By Sam Waller
After two false starts, Shackelford County 4-H held a STEM camp session Tuesday, July 26 at The Feed Store.
Shackelford County extension agent Kelsey Bell said 12 students attended the session for science, technology, engineering, and math.
Sessions scheduled for the previous two weeks had to be cancelled because of low registration, staffing issues, and COVID-19 concerns.
Bell said efforts to add another session before the start of school did not work out.
By Sam Waller
Deadline to register students for ResourceCare’s Adopt-A-Buddy program is Friday, Aug. 5.
The Adopt-A-Buddy program helps provide school supplies for Shackelford County children.
Application forms are available at the front desk at the Resource Center. Forms should be returned to ResourceCare by the end of the workday on Aug. 5.
The Adopt-A-Buddy program benefits not just elementary students, but junior high and high school ages can also apply.
