By Sidney Bartee Albany students Cort Peterson and Will LeMay competed in the American Junior Rodeo Association finals last weekend, bringing home a top award. The boys won the team roping short go competition in their division and received a saddle and belt buckles as prizes.

By Sam Waller The Moran Bulldogs and Lady Bulldogs began preseason practices in football, volleyball, and cross country on Monday in preparation for the upcoming school year. Lady Bulldog volleyball season begins Tuesday, Aug. 10 with a match at Loraine.

By Sam Waller Enrollment packets for prospective students at Moran Independent School are available now in the school office. All students planning to attend Moran schools need to pick up a packet.x Students may pick up paperwork during business hours over the next two weeks.

By Sidney Bartee The final day for the swimming season at the Albany city pool is Sunday, Aug. 1. Pool manager Jennifer Bowman said the pool’s closing coordinates with Albany’s two-a-day schedule. All lifeguards hired at the pool are high school students, and many participate in sports.

By Donnie A. Lucas Online registration for all Albany students opened on Monday, with only about 60 of the anticipated 475 enrollments complete as of Tuesday afternoon.

By Melinda L. Lucas One new teacher was hired and a resignation accepted during a regular meeting of the Albany ISD board of trustees on Monday, July 26, a week later than usual because of the lack of a quorum on the previous Monday.

By Sidney Bartee Cornerstone Community Action Program in Coleman is facilitating a grant, funded by the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA), to help households impacted by ­COVID-19 pay part or all of their mortgage payments for six consecutive months.

By Sidney Bartee A blood drive is scheduled to take place in Albany next Thursday, Aug. 5. Hendrick Regional Blood Center (formerly Meek Blood Center) will park its bloodmobile at First Baptist Church at the usual time from 1:00 until 6:00 p.m.

By Melinda L. Lucas Shackelford County elected officials continued to work on the budget for the upcoming fiscal year, spending a good part of Monday afternoon going through the line items prepared by county treasurer Tammy Brown.

By Sidney Bartee Students who are a part of 4-H have attended camps and other events throughout the summer. “Several kids attended a variety of camps throughout June and July,” volunteer leader Kristie Smith said.