By Kathy Thomson

The Moran First Baptist Church will be serving lunch to sixth through 12th grade students next week, Aug. 5-9, at 12:00 noon.

“We will be serving breakfast burritos, chef salad, super burritos, baked ziti, and pizza,” said organizer Jo Hise. “Various church members will be leading the students in a Bible study lesson also.”

The church is hosting a community pool party at the Albany pool on Aug. 7 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. 

Hot dogs will be served at the pool party.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Fun and facts about Ghana, Africa will kick off the Old Jail Art Center’s annual summer camps for kids this Friday, Aug. 2.

There are five free workshops over the next two weeks for students in first through 12th grades.

Registration is still open through today, Aug. 1, and all the camps still have spots available.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Fans of Albany Lion football will immediately notice a couple of new features at Robert Nail Memorial Stadium with the start of the 2019 season in a couple of weeks.

A new digital scoreboard with improved lighting has been installed over the summer, including the new dual designation as Robert Nail Memorial Stadium and Faith Field. 

By Melinda L. Lucas

Members of the Shackelford County Appraisal District’s board of directors passed a proposed budget of $387,522 for 2020, an increase of almost four percent from the current budget, during a meeting held June 3.

The budget proposal is being presented this month to all county taxing entities, with plans to adopt it at a 7:30 a.m. meeting on Friday, Aug. 30.

By Kathy Thomson

The Albany Chamber of Commerce will hold a “Home of the Hereford” sign celebration and recognition party on Friday, Aug. 23 at 7:00 p.m. at the Aztec Theater.

The party is for all Chamber members and prospective Chamber members, according to manager Mary Beth Jones.

“We’ll have music, heavy hors d’oeuvres, tea, and water,” said Jones. “It’s not too late to join the Chamber. Our memberships are pro-rated right now for a half year.”

Pick-up dates for the August distribution of the commodity food program are today and tomorrow.

On Thursday, Aug. 1, certified eligible families in Moran should pick up their monthly commodity food at the Moran City Hall between 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon.

Albany families who have been certified eligible for the August food distribution program can pick up their commodity food Friday, Aug. 2, at the rear door of the JP office (the former county jail) from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m.  

By Kathy Thomson

A rule recently adopted by the University Interscholastic League requiring marching band members to have completed a pre-participation physical exam and a medical history form goes into effect today, Aug. 1, and local school district officials are working to make sure that any band members who have not already completed the requirements do so ASAP.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Shackelford County residents are reminded that Closet Angels’ “Back to School Bash” is set for today (Thursday) from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m.

Free hot dogs and water will be provided by First Financial Bank during the 1-1/2 hour event, which will be held at 132 S. Jacobs Street, across from Matthews Memorial Presbyterian Church.

Shopping for back-to-school apparel is the emphasis for the evening, and $5 donations are suggested but never expected, according to Closet Angels coordinator Lori Reames.

By Kathy Thomson 

School starts two weeks from today and the final countdown for the new school year is well underway, with both campuses fully staffed and facility maintenance projects nearing completion.

Registration for the majority of new pupils entering Nancy Smith Elementary School was conducted yesterday, and new student registration at the secondary campus will take place next week.

Registration

By Melinda L. Lucas

Friday, Aug. 1 is the final day for parents to sign up their children for the annual Adopt-a-Buddy school supply program sponsored by Resource Care, and applications are available at the front desk of the Resource Center.

According to Resource Care case worker Makenzie Marshall, the forms should be returned to the same location by the end of the work day this Friday.

The program is not limited to elementary students. Junior high and high school students can also qualify.