By Donnie A. Lucas
Eight local senior athletes who were chosen earlier in the year to compete in the 2020 Big Country FCA All-Star Festival set for June received the news last week that the event has been cancelled due to due to ongoing concerns with the Coronavirus -COVID-19 pandemic.
The 21st annual FCA Festival was scheduled for June 7-13 at various locations around the Big Country, including Abilene, Brownwood, Eastland, and San Angelo.
By Lynsi Musselman
Albany High School’s Class of 2020 is missing out on many exciting events due to the coronavirus shutdown, and local parents and volunteers are stepping up to try to fill in some of the gaps.
Last week, Tisha Wilkins organized a program called Adopt a Senior. The program matches someone from the community with one of the 41 graduating seniors.
“I saw this program done in another community, but this has an Albany spin on it,” Wilkins said.
She said the first round of seniors to get adopted was successful.
By Lynsi Musselman
Tyler Beard was named this week as Top Hand for 2020, and he and David Hardin were announced as winners of the first annual Shackelford County Youth and Livestock Association Memorial Scholarships.
“Without a banquet this year, we notified the winners by phone,” said association president Bronco Askew. “Both Tyler and David are exceptional individuals and consistent with their intentions.”
Funds Needed
Askew also said that the SCYLA is still short on funds to cut checks for stock show exhibitors.
By Kathy Thomson
Communities across the country recognize those who help save lives in times of personal or national crisis during National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, held April 12-18.
Shackelford County sheriff Ed Miller said that the work done by telecommunicators is very important, not only for those dialing 9-1-1, but also for him and other first responders.
“They’re the first person contacted by those calling in for help, and they are our life-line when we are on a call,” the sheriff said, “We depend on them.”
By Lynsi Musselman
Jo and Matthew Hise of Moran are Big Country East FCA’s Huddle Coaches of the Year.
“This is a big honor,” Jo Hise said. “We love being involved in FCA and going to the family coaches camp. It is an awesome time and a huge blessing.”
Big Country Fellowship of Christian Athletes engages coaches and athletes from Abilene and surrounding areas to grow in their faith and sport.
By Lynsi Musselman
The community of Moran continues to adjust to social distancing and everyday life as the pandemic continues.
There are still no positive cases of COVID-19 in Moran or Shackelford County as of Tuesday, April 21. The disaster declaration issued on April 3 is still in effect.
Moran City Hall remains closed to walk-in traffic, but most business can be conducted through the drop box at the front door.
“We can receive cash payments and slip change back through the door slot, Karen Bishop said.
By Lynsi Musselman
Moran Independent School District board is still awaiting approval to consider accepting a tax deferment proposal by a windmill company which intends to start a project south of Moran.
Part of the planned windmill farm will be in the MISD taxing district.
RWE Renewables Americas LLC claims to be one of the world’s leading renewable energy companies, with around 3,500 employees. The company has applied for a value limitation agreement on property taxes for the first few years they are up and running.
School Schedule
By Lynsi Musselman
The Shackelford County Library has an online resource making reading more accessible.
The doors might be temporaily closed due to the coronavirus but books are still available.
Children to adult books in a variety of generes can be located at https://shackelford.biblionix.com.
“It is like the whole library is at your fingertips without leaving the comfort of your home,” said Janna Ledbetter, Study Club library chair.
By Melinda L. Lucas
Despite COVID-10 restrictions, blood is still needed, and a blood drive is scheduled to take place in Albany next Thursday afternoon, April 30.
Hendrick Regional Blood Center (formerly Meek Blood Center) will park its bloodmobile at First Baptist Church at the usual time from 1:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m.
By Donnie A. Lucas
Visitors to both Albany school campuses are currently restricted, but when students, parents, and other visitors do return they will find that security has been improved, at least as far as gaining access to buildings is concerned.
Installation of magnetic door locking systems has been completed at the secondary campus and at Nancy Smith Elementary. The automatic door locks were activated this week.
