The National Weather Service (NWS), with the help of local organizations, conducts SkyWarn classes each spring all over the nation, including one scheduled for this Friday, Feb. 8, in Breckenridge.
The course in Stephens County will be at the First Baptist Church’s Family Life Center at 301 South Rose Ave. Breckenridge, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. tomorrow evening and will be conducted by representatives of the Fort Worth branch of the National Weather Service.
The number of recently confirmed cases of influenza have increased at both of the two health clinics in Albany, reflecting a trend seen across Texas and the nation.
Flu-like symptoms have affected so many local students that the junior high girls’ B team game was cancelled on Monday evening and both JV basketball games at Roscoe were cancelled on Tuesday.
“We are seeing quite a bit of flu (at the county health clinic),” said Shackelford County Hospital District Administrator Jera Fairley. “The number of cases seems to be increasing.”
Spots are still available in local GED classes that are taking place on Mondays and Tuesdays each week, according to instructor Kenzie Fairchild.
Official registration was last week, but Fairchild said Monday that the class is not yet full and students can still apply by coming to the Shackelford County Library on Monday or Tuesday evening at 5:30 p.m. or by calling her at 325-721-5233.
GED classes meet at the library every Monday and Tuesday from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. throughout the school year, following the AISD holiday schedule.
Although no action was taken, the Shackelford County Hospital District directors are closer to ordering a new ambulance after their meeting on Monday, Jan. 21.
EMS supervisor Mary Quintero presented prices from two companies, but the board directed her to advertise for bids and have them ready for the next meeting on Feb. 18.
The new ambulance will replace one of the two 2009 models owned by the district. A 2013 ambulance will remain in service.
Audit Report
Albany High School students competed at the Haskell Pow Wow, a University Interscholastic League academic invitational meet, on Saturday, Jan. 26, and several Albany students brought home individual medals. In addition, Albany journalism students won the first place team plaque.
“The students did great!” Rick Davis, UIL coordinator said. “I think we are well on our way to another successful year in UIL academics.”
Albany was the top journalism team with 93 points. Coleman was the second high journalism team with 76, and Guthrie took third with 53.
Albany and Moran Independent School Districts have both scheduled a student holiday for tomorrow, Feb. 1, so that students can attend the Shackelford County Youth and Livestock Show without an absence counting against their attendance record.
Teachers in Albany can choose to work or take a “comp day.”
Tomorrow is also a designated “comp day” for MISD staff members.
Schools in both districts resume classes at the normal times on Monday, Feb. 4.
Baley Green has been named to the Dean’s List at Hardin-Simmons University for the Fall 2018 semester.
To be eligible for the HSU Dean’s List, full-time undergraduate students must maintain a 3.75 to 3.99 grade point average on a 4.0 scale.
Green, a 2018 graduate of Albany High School, is the daughter of Jessi Bryan and Jake Green, both of Albany.
Bethel Assembly has scheduled a women’s retreat at Texas Star Ranch Retreat in Weatherford on Feb. 15 and 16, and registrations are still being accepted.
“Anyone from Albany is welcome, they don’t have to go to Bethel,” said organizer Betsy Spraberry. “The Live Simple women’s retreat will include great content, time to refresh and relax, meals you don’t have to cook or plan, and fellowship!”
The registration fee of $50 includes dinner on Friday, two meals on Saturday, and overnight lodging.
An optional t-shirt is available for $20.
Longtime Albany ISD board president Betsy Parsons and veteran trustee Pam Davis both announced at Monday night’s regular school board meeting that they do not plan to run for reelection.
They are the senior members of the group, with Parsons finishing her 30th year and Davis her 21st. Parsons has served as president for two decades.
“This decision is made after a lot of prayer,” said Parsons. “I still have a vested interest in this district and stepping down doesn’t mean I’m not going to be here. I just believe it’s time for a change.”
Newly elected county judge Robert Skelton accepted the 2019 Texas Courthouse Stewardship Award from representatives of the Texas Historical Commission (THC) at the 2019 Real Places Heritage Tourism and Historic Preservation conference in Austin last Friday on behalf of Shackelford County.
Sharon Fleming, the director of the THC Courthouse Preservation Program, and Leslie Midgley, executive vice president and CEO of Texas Land Title Association, which sponsored the award, presented Skelton with Shackelford County’s award plaque and $1,000 check.
