By Donnie A. Lucas
With the announcement made Tuesday that schools across Texas will remain closed until Monday, May 4, local parents and students will continue to receive assignments online or through packets of printed materials.
Both the elementary and secondary campuses have been providing instruction since schools were first shut down three weeks ago, and that will continue until classes resume.
By Melinda L. Lucas
The staff at the Old Jail Art Center say that they are “physical distancing,” not “social distancing” as they continue working to serve area residents during COVID-19 constraints.
The museum is currently closed to the public, with all group gatherings cancelled or on hold.
“We hope to stay connected through a variety of take-home and at-home programs for all ages,” said Erin Whitmore, education director at the museum.
@Home Survival Kits
By Melinda L. Lucas
Several more Albany offices and businesses have locked their doors in the last week, including the walk-in lobby at one local bank, limiting access to the public during the COVID-19 pandemic.
There are also a few more event cancellations on the growing list below.
The News has not been notified about any other interruptions in the schedule but will include those when reported.
CLOSED UNTIL
FURTHER NOTICE
•Albany Pet Hospital
•Old Jail Art Center
By Donnie A. Lucas
With almost three weeks of doing school work at home due to school closures prompted by the novel coronavirus outbreak, parents have mixed reactions to supervising the completion of assignments sent home by teachers during the shutdown.
Local students have not been in the classroom since being released for spring break on March 6 due to a statewide shuttering of all schools by Texas governor Greg Abbott. The closure initially was set through tomorrow, April 3, but was extended on Tuesday by the governor until May 4.
By Melinda L. Lucas
Shackelford County chief appraiser Clayton Snyder is officially extending the deadline to submit property renditions one full month to May 15, in light of the impact on local businesses by the coronavirus.
The renditions were originally due by April 15.
“Business owners have a lot on their plates right now, and finishing their renditions is not at the top of their priority list,” said Snyder. “In accordance with guidance from the Comptroller this week, I’ve decided to move the deadline back.”
By Kathy Thomson
The 2020 Shackelford County Youth and Livestock Association’s Buyer-Seller Banquet has been cancelled, but checks will be delivered to livestock sellers as soon as all of the pledge money is turned in, according to SCYLA president Bronco Askew.
“The officers and board of directors communicated by text and voted to cancel the banquet,” said Askew. “Our regular meeting to review how the show went this year, consider rule changes, and elect officers is on hold.”
By Melinda L. Lucas
The April 11 annual community Easter egg hunt sponsored by the Albany Volunteer Fire Department has been cancelled, with plans to possibly reschedule some event later in the spring.
According to fire chief Kyle Tischler, AVFD members decided last week that the event should be cancelled.
“We definitely want to do something for our kids since most will be unable to celebrate like they usually do, but we’ll decide on that later,” said Tischler.
He added, though, that there are more pressing issues to be considered.
By Kathy Thomson
At least two local groups of women have been using their sewing skills to help battle the coronavirus by sewing masks for nurses and others on the front lines of this strange new “war.”
By Kathy Thomson
Thursday, April 2 is the last day to register to vote or make a change of address effective for the May 2 local board elections.
Voter registration applications can be found online at votetexas.gov, or by contacting county voter registrar Belinda Perez at the Tax Assessor-Collector office at the Shackelford County Courthouse. Access to the Courthouse is currently limited due to -COVID-19, so those needing to register should contact call 325-762-9420 or email at belinda.perez@shackelfordcounty.org.
Vote By Mail
Only a few local organizations have responded to Albany High School’s request to contact Ann Riley in the AHS office about upcoming scholarships to be given to graduating seniors.
“We’ve already sent instructions to the seniors and they have to get their letters back in by April 15,” said Riley. “It will sure make it easier if they know what scholarships there are to apply for.”
Riley had originally asked that representatives call her by March 23 with the information, but that deadline has already passed.
