By Melinda L. Lucas

Albany High School volleyball players, cheerleaders, and football participants will have team and individual photos taken over the next couple of weeks.

The AHS volleyball teams, who start practice this coming Monday, are scheduled Thursday afternoon, Aug. 5 at 5:00 p.m. in the main gym.

Members of the Albany varsity and junior varsity football teams will be in full pads on Friday, Aug. 6 for photos to be taken at Robert Nail Stadium.

The Lions and their coaches will gather at 1:30 p.m. after the morning practice.

By Donnie A. Lucas

A meeting is scheduled Monday, Aug. 2 for high school runners interested in taking part in cross country track this fall.

The meeting is set for 8:00 a.m. Monday in the foyer of the main gym.

Coach Tate Thompson said he will hand out the required forms for runners to have signed by a parent, with the first actual workout following on Tuesday at 8:00 a.m.

Thompson will set up a workout schedule for runners, as well as discuss the season.

By Sidney Bartee

Pick-up dates for the August distribution of the commodity food program will be Thursday, Aug. 5 and Friday, Aug. 6.

On Thursday Aug. 5, certified eligible families in Moran should pick up their monthly commodity food at the Moran City Hall between 9:00 and 11:00 a.m.

Certified eligible Albany families for the August food distribution program can pick up their commodity food on Friday, Aug. 6 at the back door of the Justice of the Peace office from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m.

By Sidney Bartee

The deadline for football program ads has been extended until tomorrow, July 30.

Community members or businesses who want to purchase ads for the football program can contact a Booster Club officer.

Ad prices are $30 for a business card size, $60 for a quarter page, $120 for a half page, and $225 for a full page.

Annual Event

The annual Hamburger Supper held by the Albany Athletic Booster Club is scheduled for Monday, Aug. 9.

The event will be held at the Bank Park starting at 6:00 p.m.

By Sidney Bartee

With the school year officially beginning for Moran students on Aug. 23, student and staff events are in full swing.

Cheer Camp

Moran varsity cheerleaders will begin cheer camp on Monday, Aug. 2.

The cheerleaders will practice from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. until Wednesday, Aug. 4.

According to cheerleader coach Liz Walls, the girls will learn new cheers, chants, stunts, and a new dance at the camp.

Walls commented that the cheerleaders held a bake sale fundraiser to fund this year’s camp.

Fall Sports

Mary Reena “Missy” Kennedy, 71, of Eolian, passed away on Tuesday, July 20, 2021. Her graveside service was held Saturday, July 24, 2021 at the Moran Cemetery, with Jeralyn Sledge officiating. 

Mary Reena “Missy” Garlitz was born Nov. 4, 1949, in Stamford, Texas. Missy, as she was known, grew up moving around Texas with her family: parents, Elizabeth Alexene Garlitz and Otto Herman Garlitz; sister, Delilah Elizabeth “Dee” Garlitz-Balliew, and brother Roy Herman Garlitz.

By Melinda L. Lucas

The rendering plant just outside the eastern Albany city limit continued to dominate discussion at the July 12 meeting of the Shackelford County commissioners, although there was action on a couple of other important items.

Progress on ownership of the Rock Hill School property, which has been in question for decades, is closer to being resolved, according to county attorney Rollin Rauschl, and county judge Robert Skelton reported that the county has received the first half of its portion of the American Rescue Plan’s federal funding.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Parents of both returning and new students planning to attend Albany schools are urged to use the online registration portal that opens Monday, July 26.

The school district is using the Ascender Parent Portal for registration and a link can be found on the school’s website under the red button labeled “Parents Sources.” Then look for the Ascender link.

Parents can login to an existing account or create a new account if they do not have one. Follow the instructions provided on the website.

By Jillian Lucas

FEMA has changed the Individual Assistance  requirements for Shackelford County and other Texas residents to file a claim following February’s winter storm.

County judge Robert Skelton learned several weeks ago that Shackelford County was added to the list of areas eligible for Individual Assistance from the Texas Division of Emergency Management, allowing residents to file a claim if they experienced damage during the 2021 winter storm.

By Sidney Bartee

A positive case of rabies was recently reported to the Shackelford Sheriff’s Office, with the animal discovered and captured on the edge of Albany’s city limits near the golf course. 

Sheriff Ed Miller asks everyone to have their animals’ vaccinations up to date to ensure public safety.

He also asked that animals acting strangely be reported to law enforcement.

“If you come across an animal acting erratically, you first need to avoid the animal,” Miller said. “Then you need to call 911, and officers will investigate.”