The Texas A&M Agri-Life Extension Service will hold the West Region Wheat Production Tour on Thursday, May 7.  This will be a virtual event, replacing the Agri-Life Extension District 6 and District 7 live meetings, which had to be cancelled due to COVID-19. Participants must preregister by May 5.

By Melinda L. Lucas After the governor announced earlier this week that some businesses can open back up under certain restrictions, there will be fewer stores and offices closed after Friday.

By Kathy Thomson Albany Lions Club member Sandi Conway announced that the club, which has sponsored the local Memorial Day services for the last couple years, has cancelled the event this year. “It was all organized and a speaker lined up, but with coronavirus it is too uncertain,” said Conway.

By Donnie A. Lucas The county commissioners court voted Monday to open the doors to the courthouse to the public again, ending a limited access policy that was in force for several weeks due to concerns about the coronavirus pandemic.

By Lynsi Musselman With more time at home, many people in Albany have stepped up their culinary endeavors.

Sierra Price Brooks of San Angelo was recently initiated into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation’s oldest and most selective all-discipline collegiate honor society. Brooks was initiated at Angelo State University.

By Kathy Thomson Pick-up dates for the May distribution of the commodity food program are expected to take place as scheduled, on May 7 and 8 using the same outdoor distribution protocols enacted last month so participants can more easily maintain proper social distancing.

By Lynsi Musselman Churches were included in Governor Abbott’s Monday afternoon press conference that gave details about the first phase of reopening the state. Some Albany churches will begin Sunday to return to in-person services.

By Lynsi Musselman The 2020 Census for Shackelford County, and all of the United States, is facing challenges that puts everyone at risk for an undercount. Currently, Shackelford County’s response rate is 26.2 percent.

By Lynsi Musselman Social-distancing creates an environment for personal prayer and comteplation this year during National Day of Prayer.  Albany churches will welcome all faiths for individual prayer on Thursday, May 7, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.