Polo on the Prairie 2020 has a new date.

All the regular festivities, along with the live music of country signer Clay Walker, will be held Saturday, Sept. 26, at the Musselman Brothers’ Lazy 3 Ranch in Albany.

Challenges due to COVID-19 required the event originally scheduled for Saturday, May 16, to postpone until September. 

“We are looking forward  to continuing this tradition in the fall,” said Melinda Musselman, chair for Polo on the Prairie. “It will be a nice change to plan around a less turbulent weather season.”

By Kathy Thomson

This school year is ending much differently than it normally does, but even with all of the unexpected changes brought on by the coronavirus pandemic, staff members at the Moran Independent School District are already preparing for next year.

By Kathy Thomson

According to Teresa King at Moran City Hall, local residents are ready to get “back on track” from coronavirus shelter in place precautions when rule changes allow that to take place.

Governor Greg Abbott had already relaxed some of the restrictions on church services, with restaurants and some other businesses across the state allowed to open to the public on Friday, May 1, as long as they observe the newly lowered capacity limits, increased disinfecting of surfaces, and follow social distancing protocols.

By Kathy Thomson

Like many local residents, Chris Blue has spent a lot of time over the last few weeks sewing face masks for those who need them, and so far, Blue has given masks to several elderly people in Albany, local Brookshire’s and Dollar General employees, West Texas Rehab workers, EMTs and firemen from Abilene, Texas Oncology and Abilene Diagnostic workers, and employees at Resource Care and Walmart in Breckenridge.

By Donnie A. Lucas

A positive case of COVID-19 reported to city officials in good faith by an employer on behalf of an employee Tuesday turned out to be premature, leaving the status of the case unclear at press time.

The employee is sheltering in place and not requiring hospitalization, according to the information reported to Albany mayor pro tem Susan Montgomery.

By Donnie A. Lucas

With just over two weeks of instruction remaining, local school officials are preparing for the end of what undoubtably has been the strangest school year in memory.

Both the secondary and elementary campuses will continue to deliver instructional content online or with printed packets that must be picked up once each week.

While both campus principals say that participation in remote learning has been successful, there are still some students who have not participated completely or at all.

Secondary Update

By Kathy Thomson

Even during unusual times like the current coronavirus pandemic, regular blood donations are needed in order to ensure the continued adequacy of the supply at area hospitals, so Hendrick’s bloodmobile is in Albany today for the regularly scheduled Kiwanis Club sponsored blood drive.

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 Lynsi Musselman

Home health and community care workers, along with those providing outpatient care, have made adjustments while serving patients during the coronavirus pandemic.

There are several companies and care givers that serve Albany with in-home care to local patients. 

With recommendations from the CDC that older adults and those with chronic conditions practice social distancing, home health provides the care needed without the need for seniors and others to leave home. 

By Lynsi Musselman

As the state gradually reopens, many local stores are still working to take care of customers in non-traditional ways by offering extra services.

After Gov. Abbott’s announcement Monday, most retailers will be back up and running on Friday, although hair, nail, and massage salons, gyms, and bars remain closed.

By Lynsi Musselman

To contact the Shackelford County Library for  online set-up, readers are asked to call Janna Ledbetter at 325-260-3857 or e-mail albanylib@gmail.com.

The library number was printed previously, but the library has decided to remain closed indefinitely even though the governor’s announcement on Monday allows for reopening.  

The online library consists of children to adult books in a variety of genres. The books can be located at https://shackelford.biblionix.com.