By Donnie A. LucasThe number of new COVID-19 cases held fairly steady last week at the Shackelford County Hospital Clinic, with 26 positive results out of the 57 tests given through Friday, Sept. 3.

By Donnie A. LucasOpening week of dove season including Labor Day weekend typically brings droves of hunters to town, but initial reports indicated few hunters because of a lack of local birds.According to local game warden Jake Mort, it has been an usually slow start to the season.

By Donnie A. LucasAn investigative report involving an alleged wastewater violation by a local refining facility has been released by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, with a separate investigation on air quality and pollution still pending.

By Sam WallerStudents, teachers and staff at Moran have settled into a new way of doing things through the first two weeks of the new school year.Principal Jo Hise said the school district is employing block scheduling in the upper grades this year.“The first week went well,” Hise said.

By Sam WallerMoran’s city-wide garage sale is scheduled for Saturday.Sale organizer Michelle Taggart said the event will begin at 7:00 a.m. with no set time to finish.Maps will be available at the Moran Community Center.“I’m still taking names for the sale,” Taggart said.

By Donnie A. LucasAfter-game fellowships following varsity football games will start on Sept. 17 following the Albany’s first home game of the season on Sept. 17.The varsity Lions will play on the road for three Fridays starting this week before opening at home against Haskell on Sept. 12.

By Melinda L. LucasTeam and individual pictures of the junior high football teams will be taken today (Thursday) starting at 3:15 p.m.Those packages, along  with Lady Cubs volleyball, will be ready for pickup in the next couple of weeks.

By Sam WallerThe Albany Golf Club’s annual Labor Day tournament will have a full field for Saturday’s first round.The two-person scramble will tee off at 8:30 a.m. Saturday with an afternoon group starting at 1:30 p.m.“We’re ready to go – still full,” tournament organizer James Waters  said.

By Melinda L. LucasThe City of Albany will test the emergency warning siren at 12:00 noon on Wednesday, Sept. 9, as it does the second Wednesday of every month, depending on the weather.

By Donnie A. LucasThe monthly pick-up dates for the September distribution of the commodity food program is set for Sept. 2 (today) in Moran, and Friday, Sept. 3 in Albany.The food goods will be handed out at the Moran City Hall from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m.