By Sam Waller

Twenty-seven winners, including two multiple winners, were announced Tuesday morning in a drawing for 1,500 Albany Bucks conducted by the Albany Chamber of Commerce.

Lucy Carter was drawn three times, winning 150 Albany Bucks, and Sandy Shirley won twice in the drawing held at Vintage Vanilla.

Chamber manager Mary Beth Jones posted a video of the drawing on Facebook.

“I’ll also call people to let them know they’ve won,” Jones said.

Drawings on Friday, Dec. 17 will be conducted in three groups of 10 with a short break in between.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Several local candidates for the March 1 primary elections officially completed the filing process on Tuesday, well ahead of the Dec. 13 filing deadline.

Two prospective candidates who picked up the required paperwork had yet to turn in their petitions and applications to get on the ballot for a county post.

Offices up for reelection this cycle include county judge, county and district clerk, county treasurer, justice of the peace, and two county commissioner positions.

The filing period will close at 6:00 p.m. on Monday.

By Sam Waller

The Moran Independent School District has welcomed four new faculty members for the 2021-22 school year, including three who are in their first year as full-time teachers.

New faculty members are Minnie Denson, Alyssa Gregg, Kassiah Hudson, and Bryce Hughes.

Minnie Denson

At the high school level, Denson has taken over as agriculture teacher and FFA advisor. Denson graduated in May from Texas A&M–Commerce with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture Science and Technology with a teacher certification option.

By Sam Waller

More than two dozen Moran elementary and junior high students competed in the district UIL academic meet on Tuesday and Wednesday at Cross Plains.

The competition actually began on Nov. 18 with students submitting entries for chess puzzle and ready writing events.

Moran principal Jo Hise said this week’s competition included speaking events on Tuesday. Contests for music memory, spelling, number sense, art smart, dictionary skills, listening skills, and maps, graphs and charts were held Wednesday.

By Sam Waller

Moran ISD has performed renovation work to its gymnasium as the facility nears a century of existence.

The gym was constructed in 1935-37 by the Works Project Administration, one of Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal programs.

“It’s a special place,” Moran superintendent Dr. John Denson said. “Some of the board members who graduated here talk about playing basketball in that gym 50 years ago. I’m told the floor is made out of pecan, and the building is solid rock.”

Work included replacing wood window sashes and metal coverings for lower windows.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Despite the shortened holiday work schedule last week, the number of ­COVID-19 tests administered continued to rise, according to a report issued by Shackelford County judge Bob Skelton.

A total of 45 tests were administered at the three testing locations in Albany, with a combined total of 16 positive results during Nov. 22-24. 

The Shackelford County Health Clinic also reported giving an additional 14 tests on Monday with 10 positive results.

By Sam Waller

The next step in the Albany Ministerial Alliance’s Believe Tree for Teens program begins Saturday with trees distributed to local churches.

Six participating congregations – Mathews Memorial Presbyterian, First United Methodist, Maranatha Fellowship, First Baptist, First Christian, and Friendsahip Christian – will have trees with ornaments containing details for applicants.

By Sam Waller

Among its other qualities, Shackelford County has become something of a magnet for law enforcement.

In addition to local agencies, Albany has attracted a number of state troopers who either live or work in the county.

There are currently nine active or former Department of Public Safety officers living or working in the county.

Former troopers are Shackelford County Judge Robert Skelton, Constable Xavier Perez, and Brian Waggoner of the Fort Griffin Special Utility District.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Ministerial Alliance’s Christmas Basket food drive is moving forward with the food order being placed earlier this week.

“Brookshire’s has always been very gracious in helping us get food ordered in the past,” Ministerial Alliance secretary Tisha Wilkins said.

The annual program strives to provide a box filled with ingredients needed for a traditional holiday meal to families in need of assistance.

The drive received 101 applicants this year with 41 in Albany, 35 in Moran and 25 through Vittles by Vehicles.

By Melinda L. Lucas

In addition to looking for people to purchase hamburgers this next Sunday, the Ministerial Alliance is also looking for volunteers from each church to help sack and serve the meals.

The event benefitting the Lee Hail family, will be held at Friendship Baptist Church at noon on Sunday, Dec. 5, with hamburgers, chips, cookie, and a drink available for donations.

Hail, who pastored the United Pentecostal Church, died recently after contracting COVID.