By Troy Reinke
District Conservationist
Natural Resources Conservation Service Shackelford County
Despite being one of the most popular and most-studied species of wildlife, the northern bobwhite quail population has been in a downward spiral for the past 30 years.
Experts say it comes down to habitat and changing land use patterns. Knowing their habitat basics can help turn quail numbers around.
Food preferences
By Kathy Thomson
A September 2019 “let date” for road repairs on State Highway 6 has been scheduled by the Texas Department of Transportation.
Repairs are definitely needed as testified by the “Rough Road” signs posted on the road by TxDOT.
Although no information about the Highway 6 project was available from the local or Abilene offices, the TxDOT website said that the “surfacing/roadway restoration” would extend from Pecan Street in Albany south to the Callahan County line.
By Kathy Thomson
Five members of the Albany Volunteer Fire Department attended the 90th Annual Municipal Fire Training School held at Brayton Training Field in College Station last week, July 21-26.
Clay and Mel Deatherage completed their seventh year as invited guest instructors.
They taught Building Construction for the Fire Service in the Phase II part of the program.
By Kathy Thomson
Jo Hise, who earned her principal certificate in May of this year, was recently named the new principal at Moran.
“We are actually splitting the principal duties (between us) as Mrs. Hise will also have several classroom and girls coaching responsibilities,” said superintendent Danny Freeman, who has been serving as both principal and superintendent at MISD.
Cheer Camp
Moran cheerleaders are having their annual cheer camp this week.
By Melinda L. Lucas
Fun and facts about Ghana, Africa will kick off the Old Jail Art Center’s annual summer camps for kids this Friday, Aug. 2.
There are five free workshops over the next two weeks for students in first through 12th grades.
Registration is still open through today, Aug. 1, and all the camps still have spots available.
By Donnie A. Lucas
Fans of Albany Lion football will immediately notice a couple of new features at Robert Nail Memorial Stadium with the start of the 2019 season in a couple of weeks.
A new digital scoreboard with improved lighting has been installed over the summer, including the new dual designation as Robert Nail Memorial Stadium and Faith Field.
By Melinda L. Lucas
Members of the Shackelford County Appraisal District’s board of directors passed a proposed budget of $387,522 for 2020, an increase of almost four percent from the current budget, during a meeting held June 3.
The budget proposal is being presented this month to all county taxing entities, with plans to adopt it at a 7:30 a.m. meeting on Friday, Aug. 30.
Pick-up dates for the August distribution of the commodity food program are today and tomorrow.
On Thursday, Aug. 1, certified eligible families in Moran should pick up their monthly commodity food at the Moran City Hall between 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon.
Albany families who have been certified eligible for the August food distribution program can pick up their commodity food Friday, Aug. 2, at the rear door of the JP office (the former county jail) from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m.
By Kathy Thomson
A rule recently adopted by the University Interscholastic League requiring marching band members to have completed a pre-participation physical exam and a medical history form goes into effect today, Aug. 1, and local school district officials are working to make sure that any band members who have not already completed the requirements do so ASAP.
By Melinda L. Lucas
Shackelford County residents are reminded that Closet Angels’ “Back to School Bash” is set for today (Thursday) from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m.
Free hot dogs and water will be provided by First Financial Bank during the 1-1/2 hour event, which will be held at 132 S. Jacobs Street, across from Matthews Memorial Presbyterian Church.
Shopping for back-to-school apparel is the emphasis for the evening, and $5 donations are suggested but never expected, according to Closet Angels coordinator Lori Reames.
