By Donnie A. Lucas

Two positive tests for the COVID-19 coronavirus were listed as still active in the Monday report from the Texas Department of State Health Services, which also reported the total of 22 cases since March.

In a notice on Facebook by county judge Robert Skelton, the latest report posted on Monday reported two previously confirmed positive cases as still active.

The COVID-19 dashboard listed 22 total positive cases last week, with the total number of tests administered reported as 195.

By Lynsi Musselman

Water and Gatorade are being accepted for the entire month of September at the Kindred at Home health office in Albany during the company’s national campaign drive.

Tracy Sullivan with Kindred said that this year the local office decided to focus on donations for the two volunteer fire departments – City of Albany Volunteer Fire Department and the Shackelford County Volunteer Fire Department – rather than conduct a general food drive.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Shackelford County commissioners are expected to propose both a budget and a tax rate at their regular meeting on Monday, Sept. 8.

According to county judge Robert Skelton, the proposed tax rate will then be advertised, with the budget hearing more than likely set to coincide with the regular Sept. 28 commissioners meeting.

The proposed budget, which covers a fiscal year from Oct. 1, 2020 to Sept. 30, 2021, will also be placed on the county website and will be available in the county clerk’s office for public review.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Board members of the Shackelford County Appraisal District (SCAD) will meet on Tuesday Sept. 8 at 7:30 a.m. to make a final decision about the proposed SCAD budget for 2020.

A copy of the budget can be viewed at the SCAD office at 132 Hill St., where the meeting will be held.

The $391,745 preliminary figure approved by SCAD board members is $4,223 more, about 1.1 percent, than the current budget of $387,522.

By Lynsi Musselman

Residents who would like to participate in the Albany Chamber of Commerce annual city-wide garage sale still have a little over a week to sort through unused items to sell on Saturday, Sept. 12.

The event is traditionally held on the second Saturday in September to coincide with downtown merchants having sales.

Registration to get on the garage sale map has been extended to Tuesday, Sept. 8 for residents who would still like to participate.

Chamber manager Mary Beth Jones said there are seven sales currently registered.

The annual “Dollars for Bob’s Scholarships” fundraising drive gets underway later this month.

Sponsored by the Albany Ex-Students Association, the campaign traditionally starts the week of Robert Nail’s birth date, Sept. 13. This is the 53rd anniversary of the first scholarship.

Although the annual goal is always set at a minimum of $1,000, fundraising efforts will hopefully bring more in donations.

Although there was a little improvement in interest rates for awhile, they have dipped again, and there is not a lot of interest revenue. 

By Lynsi Musselman

Albany Junior Senior High School started up the after-school Lion Academy last week as a chance to give students an extra academic boost.

AJSH principal Glenn Hill said the expectation is to give students an opportunity to get caught up on school work and provide extra help for those who need it.

“I am excited about Lion Academy, and I know it is a great benefit to the students,” Hill explained.

Lion Academy will be open on Mondays and Tuesdays from 3:45 to 6:45 p.m. and on Wednesdays from 3:45 to 5:45 p.m.

By Lynsi Musselman

The University Interscholastic League announced in August that three students from Albany have been named to the 2019-2020 All-State Journalism Staff.

Current seniors Tana Thompson and Hannah Trail, along with AHS graduate and Texas A&M freshman Addison Asher, were recipients of the honor.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Students, teachers, and support staff will celebrate the first school holiday of the year on Monday, Sept. 7 when the local school district dismisses for Labor Day.

Classes will resume on Tuesday, Sept. 8 at the normal times of 7:55 a.m. at Nancy Smith Elementary School and at 8:00 a.m. at the secondary campus.

The next scheduled student holiday is Columbus Day, Oct. 12, followed by Thanksgiving. Classes will dismiss early on Tuesday, Nov. 24, and will resume the Monday after Thanksgiving, Nov. 30.

Edna Mae Abbott, 96 passed away Aug. 27, 2020 at Baptist Hospital in Pensacola, FL from complications after testing positive for Corona Virus. She was born May 1, 1924 in Rule, Texas to John & Claura Dominey. 

Edna Mae married Albert Gene Abbott of Anson in 1942 and moved to Albany after WWII. Daughter Teena was born September 1946. 

She spent almost 70 years as an Albany resident and homemaker. She actively participated in local community events and was a ‘Strong Minded’ member of the Albany First Baptist Church.