By Melinda L. Lucas

Two different proposals heard by Shackelford County commissioners on Monday could cost the county as much as $300,000, although there are already funds that could cover a lot of that amount.

Zach Fitzgerald of CTSI, the county’s IT consultant, recommended using some of the recently awarded American Rescue Plan Act money to install county-owned fiber between the Courthouse and the Law Enforcement Center at a cost of more than $200,000.

The project would eliminate the $1,700 monthly fiber charge from AT&T.

By Sam Waller

Judging for the Albany Chamber of Commerce’s house decorating contest will be held this weekend, but Chamber manager Mary Beth Jones said there is still time to enter.

“If someone wants to enter a house, they can text that name and address to me at 325-669-1831,” Jones said.

Judging will be held Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Winners will be announced Monday.

First place will receive 100 Albany Bucks, with 75 for second place and 50 for third. Residents must be entered to be judged for the contest.

By Donnie A. Lucas

A number of students in grades two through eight competed in the district UIL Academic Meet over the last few weeks, with the second through fifth grade elementary students earning third place overall and the grade six through eighth competitors taking fourth place.

The meets, which were hosted by Albany schools, were conducted virtually for the most part again this year due to concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic.

By Sam Waller

Eduardo San Lucas has worked with children from age 3 through high school. As the new youth minister at First Baptist Church of Albany, he will minister to about 40 youth in junior high and high school.

San Lucas, who began his duties on Dec. 1, said he wasn’t pursuing the job when it was offered.

“I think the Lord opened this door for me without me even asking for the position,” he said. “It was a blessing from God.”

By Sam Waller

Albany churches are will conduct special services in addition to holding more social activities as part of their Christmas celebrations in the coming week.

Friendship Baptist

Friendship Baptist Church will hold candlelight services at 10:30 a.m. this Sunday, Dec. 19.

Pastor Paul Johnston said Sunday School classes will not be held this week.

Trinity Lutheran

Trinity Lutheran Church will have a Christmas Eve Children’s service at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 24.

By Sam Waller

The Old Jail Art Center continues its tradition of celebrating Christmas around the world with a family festival on Saturday, Dec. 18.

“Las Posadas” will highlight Christmas celebrations in Mexico. Last year, the OJAC featured Italian holiday celebrations, and other nations have been spotlighted in past years.

The event, scheduled for 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Saturday, is the last of several special family festivals held during the year.

By Sam Waller

The Moran Bulldogs and Lady Bulldogs basketball teams both went 2-1 last weekend at the Lueders-Avoca tournament.

The Lady Bulldogs hosted Rotan on Tuesday while the boys played at Mullin. Results will be reported next week.

Moran wraps up play before the holiday break on Friday with a pair of home games. The girls play Knox City at 6:00 p.m. with the boys taking on Ranger at 7:30 p.m.

Both teams will play in the Gordon tournament Dec. 28-29.

Boys Games

By Sam Waller

Moran ISD will let out for the semester at 3:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 17. The school conducted semester tests earlier this week.

A staff development day is set for Monday, Jan. 3, with classes to resume on Tuesday, Jan. 4.

Denson said he is planning a lunch for the staff before classes resume.

“We’ll reflect on last semester, see what we can do better, and go on and finish out the year,” he said.

Winter Formal

By Sam Waller

Moran High School seniors Hannah Rogers and Johnnie Hise earned Meat Evaluation Certificates from the American Meat Science Association through the dual-credit advanced animal science class taught by Moran superintendent Dr. John Denson.

Denson said the certificates were awarded for demonstrating competencies in the areas of meat science principles, animal harvesting procedures, carcass and cuts evaluation, USDA beef grading, and retail cut fabrication and identification.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The number of positive COVID-19 cases continued to rise over the last week, with a total of 30 positives out of 72 tests administered, according to a report issued by county judge Bob Skelton.

The testing figures are for the week of Dec. 6-10. The total positives were up from 27 the week prior.

There were several more positive tests at the Shackelford County Health Clinic on Monday, but no firm numbers were reported.