By Donnie A. Lucas Eight local senior athletes who were chosen earlier in the year to compete in the 2020 Big Country FCA All-Star Festival set for June received the news last week that the event has been cancelled due to due to ongoing concerns with the Coronavirus -COVID-19 pandemic.

By Lynsi Musselman Albany High School’s Class of 2020 is missing out on many exciting events due to the coronavirus shutdown, and local parents and volunteers are stepping up to try to fill in some of the gaps.  Last week, Tisha Wilkins organized a program called Adopt a Senior.

By Lynsi Musselman Tyler Beard was named this week as Top Hand for 2020, and he and David Hardin were announced as winners of the first annual Shackelford County Youth and Livestock Association Memorial Scholarships.

By Kathy Thomson Communities across the country recognize those who help save lives in times of personal or national crisis during National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, held April 12-18.

By Lynsi Musselman Jo and Matthew Hise of Moran are Big Country East FCA’s Huddle Coaches of the Year. “This is a big honor,” Jo Hise said. “We love being involved in FCA and going to the family coaches camp. It is an awesome time and a huge blessing.

By Lynsi Musselman The community of Moran continues to adjust to social distancing and everyday life as the pandemic continues. There are still no positive cases of COVID-19 in Moran or Shackelford County as of Tuesday, April 21. The disaster declaration issued on April 3 is still in effect.

By Lynsi Musselman Moran Independent School District board is still awaiting approval to consider accepting a tax deferment proposal by a windmill company which intends to start a project south of Moran. Part of the planned windmill farm will be in the MISD taxing district.

By Lynsi Musselman The Shackelford County Library has an online resource making reading more accessible. The doors might be temporaily closed due to the coronavirus but books are still available. Children to adult books in a variety of generes can be located at https://shackelford.biblionix.com.

By Melinda L. Lucas Despite COVID-10 restrictions, blood is still needed, and a blood drive is scheduled to take place in Albany next Thursday afternoon, April 30.

By Donnie A. Lucas Visitors to both Albany school campuses are currently restricted, but when students, parents, and other visitors do return they will find that security has been improved, at least as far as gaining access to buildings is concerned.