By Kathy Thomson
COVID-19 is not only threatening the life and health of individuals, the social distancing necessary to “flatten the curve” is harming the financial liquidity of individuals and businesses, so residents are encouraged to do their shopping and dining in Albany to help local enterprises and their employees survive.
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
The meal pickup times are changing as of today (Thursday) for Albany ISD students, according to AISD cafeteria manager Debra Boyett.
Parents should bring their children to pick up breakfast between 8:00 and 8:30 a.m. each weekday morning, while lunches can be picked up in the Nancy Smith Elementary School circle drive between 11:45 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
By Kathy Thomson
Like many schools, businesses, and other organizations, Closet Angels and Neighbors In Need have closed because of the -COVID-19 crisis in order to protect their volunteers as well as the general public, and everyone is asked to refrain from dropping off any donations until the pandemic is over and the non-profits are reopened.
By Melinda L. Lucas
As expected, annual community Easter services were cancelled last week by members of the Albany Ministerial Alliance, including a Wednesday night Holy Week gathering and the traditional Easter sunrise service.
Most local churches are continuing to meet virtually or stream services on social media.
Doug Stenberg, pastor of Trinity Covenant Church, said that his small congregation, with attendance fewer than 10, plans to meet for regular services at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday mornings for as long as possible.
By Kathy Thomson
A Shackelford County 4-H member, with the help of a family friend, placed second in the team division of the 2020 statewide 4-H Virtual Bass Fishing tournament sponsored by District 5 on March 7, 14, and 21.
“Woods Peterson of Albany and Jack Morris of Dallas County participated all three weekends,” said Shackelford County Agri-Life extension agent Kloey Painter. “Their bass together weighed in at 19.1 pounds. They caught them at Lake Rainbo.”
Rainbo Lake is located in East Texas near Athens.
By Kathy Thomson
Moran residents are working together to help out each other during the current COVID-19 threat, offering to pick up needed supplies for neighbors when they travel to area stores, lending books, sharing DVDs and other entertainment ideas, and working together to get a community garden area ready for planting.
Community Garden
Robert Skinner used his John Deere tractor to till the garden plot last Friday.
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.”
The City of Albany will test the emergency warning siren at 12:00 noon next Wednesday, April 8, as it does the second Wednesday of every month, depending on the weather.
The tests keep citizens familiar with the three warning sounds, and they are also used to make sure that the siren, computer, software, and radios are working correctly.
The siren should sound one of the three emergency tones at noon on that day, but the siren is not tested if the weather is questionable, according to local fire chief Kyle Tischler.
SEVERE WEATHER
