By Lynsi Musselman Across the state of Texas, exhibitors are getting ready for stock show season 2020. Albany High School agriculture teacher Chris Beard said entry deadlines are coming up for all the major fall stock shows including the West Texas Fair and Rodeo in Abilene that will be Sept.

By Lynsi Musselman The 2020-2021 school year is underway for Moran ISD teachers and administrators. Staff development days started on Monday and will continue through Friday, Aug. 14, and again next week, Aug. 17-21.

By Donnie A. Lucas With only one new positive case of the COVID-19 coronavirus reported over the last week, local officials are pleased that the county infection rate has again slowed.

By Lynsi Musselman Families and students are anxiously awaiting the first day of school, while staff and administrators are preparing to welcome students back to school either in person or in a virtual classroom.

By Melinda L. Lucas Six more benches have been placed in Albany’s downtown block this week as part of a local graduate’s “Roots and Rest” project, and there are plans to add more in the future.

The City of Albany will test the emergency warning siren at 12:00 noon on Wednesday, Aug. 12, as it does the second Wednesday of every month, depending on the weather.

Bios of new staff members, along with faculty assignments and school supply lists, are included in the special back-to-school section in this week’s issue. There are also articles about precautions being taken in light of the pandemic, a new registration program, and vaccination requirements.

By Lynsi Musselman Old Jail Art Center’s virtual camps started this week, with another workshop scheduled for next week. OJAC education director Erin Whitmore said the Cultural Connections Camp had a great enrollment with several campers from out-of-town and around the state.

Texas shoppers get a break from state and local sales taxes on August 7-9, the state’s annual tax holiday.  School supply items and clothing make up the list of exempt items, which until four years ago had been limited to clothing and backpacks. Online shopping is also covered.

By Lynsi Musselman Keeping healthy during the school year is not a new concern for families but with COVID-19 worries, precautions are being taken even more seriously than usual.