By Sam Waller

After getting an unexpected weekend off and struggling through last Friday’s game, the Moran Bulldogs hope to get things on track with their scheduled open date this week.

The Bulldogs’ open District 9-1A Division II play Oct. 8 at Paint Creek.

“It’s going to be good for us,” Bulldogs coach John Hughes said of the bye. “It gives us two weeks to get ready for Paint Creek. Just getting a little bit healthier than we have been is going to be the big thing.”

The Moran Lady Bulldogs dropped a four-set decision at Woodson on Saturday, falling 24-26,  14-25, 25-17, 25-27.

“This was the best Saturday morning match we have played,” Lady Bulldogs coach Jo Hise said. “We are working well as a team, settling into our rotation.”

Johnnie Hise had five kills, and Hannah Rogers had six assists.

In the first set, Harmony Slaughter and Vivi Green each had five service points. Green had five more in the third set with Rogers adding four. Slaughter served for four points in the fourth set.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The number of positive ­COVID-19 test results held about the same last week, with a total of 66 tests administered with 20 positives.

The numbers were provided by County Judge Robert Skelton on Monday and included results from both local clinics and the Shackelford County EMS.

The numbers reported were for the week of Sept. 13-17 at the three local locations providing testing.

A total of 44 tests were conducted during the week of Sept. 6-10, with 18 positives recorded.

By Melinda L. Lucas

With very little discussion, directors of the Shackelford County Hospital District okayed the proposed budgets for both the district and the clinic, along with the tax rate, at a meeting on Monday, Sept. 20.

A budget of $2,820,070 was approved during the district portion of Monday’s session, following an earlier clinic session that included approval of a $827,000 budget for fiscal year 2022.

The proposed tax rate of 20.67 cents, which is the no-new-revenue calculation, was adopted on a motion by Mike Folsom.

Clinic Report

By Sam Waller

The Albany Chamber of Commerce is seeking volunteers to help put up fall decorations in the downtown area and beyond this Saturday, Sept. 25.

Chamber manager Mary Beth Jones said those wanting to help should arrive by 9:00 a.m. in the downtown block.

“They will see people running around everywhere,” Jones said. “The Chamber decorating committee will take all the decorations and place them by the poles. We welcome anyone to come help hang stuff up and get the town decorated for homecoming.”

Jones said everyone will be put to work.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Chamber of Commerce’s Home of the Hereford Cookoff and Cornhole Tournament will get underway Friday, Oct. 1 with a Karaoke Night at Webb Park following Albany High School’s homecoming football game.

“This will give the exes somewhere to go and sit and visit after the football game,” Chamber manager Mary Beth Jones said. “It will serve as our kickoff to the next day because people cooking will be able to come in and set up Friday afternoon.”

Check-in for the cookoff will be 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Friday.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Entries for the 2021 homecoming parade set to roll through downtown Albany next Friday, Oct. 1 are be accepted until noon on Friday, Sept. 24, according to the high school office.

Any individual, organization, or class group that would like to be included in the parade should contact Ann Riley at the AHS principal’s office, 325-762-3974, to reserve a spot in the lineup.

Entrants should begin gathering at 4:00 p.m. next Friday in the parking lot in front of the Robert Nail Memorial stadium.

By Melinda L. Lucas

A blood drive is scheduled to take place in Albany next Thursday, Sept. 30.

Hendrick Regional Blood Center (formerly Meek Blood Center) will park its bloodmobile at First Baptist Church at the usual time from 1:00 until 6:00 p.m.

Hendrick Regional Blood Center offers ­COVID-19 antibody testing at no charge for donors.

Those with eligibility questions can call Freddie Sosa at 325-670-2880. Other concerns or questions can be directed to Kelsey Caprio at 325-670-4271. 

By Melinda L. Lucas

Shackelford County commissioners approved this year’s commitment to fund the county-wide contract with AirMedCare and awarded bids for fuel and mowing at their regular meeting on Monday, Sept. 20.

They also decided to leave the burn ban in place, taking no action because the current ban doesn’t expire until the end of the month. They will review weather conditions again when they meet in special session on Sept. 30, when the county’s  fiscal year ends.

Air Ambulance

By Melinda L. Lucas

Albany ISD trustees heard the 2020-2021 financial review during a meeting on Monday, Sept. 20, but no action was taken.

CPA Cameron Gulley presented the audit for last school year as “pending,” advising that no action be taken until figures are received from the Community Foundation of Abilene regarding Albany ISD’s investments.

Gulley noted that the Foundation account now has close to $5 million, and investment earnings through July were just under $500,000.