The annual “Dollars for Bob’s Scholarships” fundraising drive gets underway later this month.Sponsored by the Albany Ex-Students Association, the campaign traditionally starts the week of Robert Nail’s birth date, Sept. 13. This is the 55th anniversary of the first scholarship.

By Donnie A. LucasThe number of new COVID-19 cases reported last week dropped to five positive tests, compared to 18 reported the previous week based on information provided by Albany’s two health clinics.

By Sam WallerAlbany’s Dax Neece began his third football season at Abilene Christian with a different perspective on his college career.Neece, a wide receiver, graduated with a bachelor of business administration in finance in May, then started working on an MBA in June through ACU-Dallas.

By Melinda L. LucasThree artists will be featured in the Old Jail Art Center’s fall exhibitions, scheduled to open at the local museum with a members’ reception and dinner on Saturday, Sept. 17.The evening is free to all OJAC members, who are asked to RSVP by next Monday, Sept. 12.

The Ben Richey Boys Ranch 75th anniversary reception will be held Saturday, Sept. 24 at Perini Ranch Steakhouse in Buffalo Gap rather than at the Abilene BRBR campus, as was reported last week.Anyone planning to attend should RSVP by calling 325-692-2500 by Monday, Sept. 12.

By Sam WallerThe Moran Lady Bulldog volleyball team dropped its two matches last week and now faces its longest homestand of the season.On Tuesday, Sept. 6, Moran (4-10) hosted Woodson. Results will be reported next week.The Lady Bulldogs play their third consecutive home match at 11:00 a.m.

By Sam WallerMoran ISD students have two upcoming field trips that will focus on college and career opportunities.On Friday, Sept. 9, eighth and ninth grade students will attend Tarleton State University’s Ag Discovery Day, one of several Academic Discovery Days hosted by the university.

By Melinda L. LucasAfter working through line items for all four divisions of the Shackelford County Hospital District in a special session on Wednesday, Aug. 24, board members ended up with a proposed budget based on the “no-new-revenue” (NNR) rate of 19.24 cents.

By Melinda L. LucasShackelford County commissioners topped off a month of budget workshops and regular sessions by meeting for the fourth Monday in a row on Aug.

By Donnie A. LucasWhat is believed to be a record crowd of music festival fans was on hand last Saturday for the fifth annual CareFest benefitting the ResourceCare centers, which serve six area communities.