By Kathy Thomson
COVID-19 is not only threatening the life and health of individuals, the social distancing necessary to “flatten the curve” is harming the financial liquidity of individuals and businesses, so residents are encouraged to do their shopping and dining in Albany to help local enterprises and their employees survive.
By Melinda L. Lucas
The meal pickup times are changing as of today (Thursday) for Albany ISD students, according to AISD cafeteria manager Debra Boyett.
Parents should bring their children to pick up breakfast between 8:00 and 8:30 a.m. each weekday morning, while lunches can be picked up in the Nancy Smith Elementary School circle drive between 11:45 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
By Kathy Thomson
Like many schools, businesses, and other organizations, Closet Angels and Neighbors In Need have closed because of the -COVID-19 crisis in order to protect their volunteers as well as the general public, and everyone is asked to refrain from dropping off any donations until the pandemic is over and the non-profits are reopened.
By Melinda L. Lucas
As expected, annual community Easter services were cancelled last week by members of the Albany Ministerial Alliance, including a Wednesday night Holy Week gathering and the traditional Easter sunrise service.
Most local churches are continuing to meet virtually or stream services on social media.
Doug Stenberg, pastor of Trinity Covenant Church, said that his small congregation, with attendance fewer than 10, plans to meet for regular services at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday mornings for as long as possible.
By Kathy Thomson
A Shackelford County 4-H member, with the help of a family friend, placed second in the team division of the 2020 statewide 4-H Virtual Bass Fishing tournament sponsored by District 5 on March 7, 14, and 21.
“Woods Peterson of Albany and Jack Morris of Dallas County participated all three weekends,” said Shackelford County Agri-Life extension agent Kloey Painter. “Their bass together weighed in at 19.1 pounds. They caught them at Lake Rainbo.”
Rainbo Lake is located in East Texas near Athens.
By Kathy Thomson
Moran residents are working together to help out each other during the current COVID-19 threat, offering to pick up needed supplies for neighbors when they travel to area stores, lending books, sharing DVDs and other entertainment ideas, and working together to get a community garden area ready for planting.
Community Garden
Robert Skinner used his John Deere tractor to till the garden plot last Friday.
By Kathy Thomson
Not unexpectedly with the increasing spread of coronavirus, this week Texas Governor Greg Abbott officially extended the statewide closure of schools through May 4, and the Moran Independent School District will continue providing distance learning for its students during the interim.
Teachers at MISD are making lessons available online or by hard copy depending upon the needs of the various parents and students.
By Kathy Thomson
At least two local groups of women have been using their sewing skills to help battle the coronavirus by sewing masks for nurses and others on the front lines of this strange new “war.”
By Donnie A. Lucas
With the spring turkey hunting season set to open this weekend, hunters will most likely find an abundance of birds in the county.
“I have seen quite a few birds already strutting and gobbling,” game warden Jacob Mort said. “There have been lots of jakes around, so I am expecting it to be an above average season.”
Social Distancing
By Kathy Thomson
This Thursday and Friday, April 2 and 3, are the pick-up dates for the April distribution of the commodity food program, but the continued spread of coronavirus has resulted in a couple of changes that certified families need to know.
The Albany distribution will take place outside of the building in order to more easily allow recipients to observe social distancing.
