By Sam Waller

The Moran Bulldogs took their lumps last Friday in the opening football game, losing 58-6 at Benjamin.

The Bulldogs were hampered by four turnovers, all of which led to scores for Benjamin.

“Our youth showed,” said Moran coach John Hughes, who started three freshmen. “We did a lot of things to ourselves that we shouldn’t have, and Benjamin took advantage. Not taking anything away from Benjamin, but I think we killed ourselves because of our inexperience.”

The Bulldogs finished with 52 total yards. Connor Hail had 54 yards rushing.

By Sam Waller

Students, teachers and staff at Moran have settled into a new way of doing things through the first two weeks of the new school year.

Principal Jo Hise said the school district is employing block scheduling in the upper grades this year.

“The first week went well,” Hise said. “The kids, teachers, and staff seem to be adjusting to our new schedule really well. I’m very pleased with that.”

Michael Turner, age 31 of Albany, passed away, Monday, Aug. 23, 2021. Graveside services were held Monday, Aug. 30 in the Albany Cemetery with Jeff Turner, Jr. officiating. Services were entrusted to Morehart Mortuary.

Michael Ryan Turner was born Feb. 26, 1990 in Snyder, Texas to parents, Jeff Turner and Lana Britton. He found his home in Snyder, Midland, and Albany, Texas. 

Catherine Ann Cornelison, 55, of Abilene died Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021, at her home. Graveside services will be 10:00 a.m. Friday, Sept. 3, at the Albany Cemetery in Albany, Texas, with her brother, Rev. Mark Cornelison, officiating. 

 Services are under the direction of Bailey Howard Funeral Home in Clyde. Visitation will be Thursday from 6:00 to 7:30 pm at the funeral home.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Upwards of 1,000 people are expected on Saturday, Aug. 28 for the third CareFest fundraiser at Happy Wife, Happy Life event venue three miles northwest of Albany.

As of Monday there were only eight VIP tickets to the event remaining, but $60 general admission tickets and some preferred $125 admission tickets can still be purchased online at outhousetickets.com.

Some general admission tickets may still be available at the gate on Saturday, but organizers are recommending purchasing tickets in advance.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The number of positive cases of COVID-19 continued to rise during the last week, prompting local health care providers to encourage people to get vaccinated.

During the week of Aug. 16-20, the Shackelford County Health Clinic and Resource Care Community Health Center administered 26 tests with nine positive results.

On Monday, Aug. 23, the clinic reported four more positive cases among nine tests given.

Over the last four weeks, a total of 104 tests were conducted at the two local clinics with 32 positive results.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Tickets have sold fast over the last week for the Friends of Fort Griffin Gala set for Oct. 9 featuring Larry, Steve, & Rudy: The Gatlin Brothers.

As of Tuesday, only 35 of the original 300 tickets were available, according to Susan Waller, who is coordinating the event for the 17th year.

Waller said that she will start a wait list for anyone seeking tickets after the 300 seats are sold. The cost of a ticket is $50, which includes a prime rib dinner and a 75-minute performance by the famous group of brothers.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Members of the Albany city council met briefly on Tuesday night, Aug. 17 to propose a tax rate, discussing a couple of options but agreeing that they would keep the same rate as last year, 67.55 cents, which is about 2.5 cents higher than the “No New Revenue” (NNR) rate of 65 cents.

The NNR rate was formerly called the effective tax rate, and is calculated to produce the same amount of taxes if applied to the same properties taxed the prvious year.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Shackelford County commissioners voted to accept bids from both local banks during a regular meeting on Monday, Aug. 23. The bid packages from First National Bank and First Financial Bank had been opened at a previous meeting on Aug. 9.

County treasurer Tammy Brown scored the bids and stated that she felt they were compatible.

By Sam Waller

The burn ban enacted earlier this month by Shackelford County commissioners has not changed despite last week’s rainfall, according to county judge Robert Skelton.

Commissioners enacted the 45-day ban at their Aug. 16 meeting as the August heat increased potential for wildfires. The ban will be in effect through Sept. 30 unless action is taken to reverse it.

Albany received 1.77 inches of rain over three days following the Aug. 16 meeting.