Wanda Lorena Hogan, 80, of Albany died Wednesday, April 22, 2020 in an Abilene hospital. Memorial services will be announced at a later date. Arrangements are by Bailey Howard Funeral Home of Clyde.  Wanda was born Feb. 15, 1940 in Dalhart to Atas and Ruby (Grisham) Jones.

Stiles Dwaine Belcher, 82, of Knox City, Texas,  and formerly of Albany, died of dementia complications on Wednesday, April 15, 2020 at an Abilene, Texas nursing home.  Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, no visitation or services will be held. He was buried in the Albany Cemetery April 19.

By Donnie A. Lucas School officials have been busy planning for the remainder of the school year following Gov. Greg Abbott’s announcement last Friday that in-person classes are cancelled for the remainder of the year due to concerns over the Coronavirus COVID-19.

By Lynsi Musselman The Academic Booster Club Facebook page is spotlighting seniors each day until graduation. Tisha Wilkins is spearheading the project to recognize the members of Albany High School’s Senior Class of 2020.

By Lynsi Musselman The School Health Advisor Council, also known as SHAC, has postponed its dance-a-thon until the 2020-2021 school year. School nurse and SHAC coordinator Lisa Russell said students should keep turning in  funds collected to their teachers during weekly packet pick-up.

By Lynsi Musselman The recent announcement that school will stay closed for the remainder of the school year keeps the virtual classroom evolving.

By Lynsi Musselman The Feed Store put a twist on prom this year for Albany youth. Feed Store director of ministries Kathryn Hamilton said the Monday night challenge was a “prom-posal” with a tacky prom theme.

By Lynsi Musselman With government restrictions to meet as a large group for National Day of Prayer, all Albany churches will open their doors for individual prayer on Thursday, May 7, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Trinity Episcopal Church this month observes the 110th anniversary of the charter as an official congregation.  On April 21, 1910, the Diocese of Dallas granted a charter as a mission church to the Episcopalians of Albany. There had been a small Episcopal congregation here as far back as the 1870s.

By Lynsi Musselman Parents who need to register their child in the Head Start program for the 2020-2021 school year  will need to pre-register online this year. Parents of new and returning students must pre-register. This process is already underway. Parents can go to www.esc14.