The Texas A&M Agri-Life Extension Service will hold the West Region Wheat Production Tour on Thursday, May 7. 

This will be a virtual event, replacing the Agri-Life Extension District 6 and District 7 live meetings, which had to be cancelled due to COVID-19.

Participants must preregister by May 5. The online event will run from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., with a cost of $10.

Registration is available at agriliferegister.tamu.edu/productListingDetails/3111.

By Melinda L. Lucas

After the governor announced earlier this week that some businesses can open back up under certain restrictions, there will be fewer stores and offices closed after Friday.

Also, restaurants will be able to reopen their in-house dining facilities at 50 percent capacity on May 1.

Remaining closed until Phase II of the governor’s plan are hair and nail salons, barber shops, gyms, and bars.

By Kathy Thomson

Albany Lions Club member Sandi Conway announced that the club, which has sponsored the local Memorial Day services for the last couple years, has cancelled the event this year.

“It was all organized and a speaker lined up, but with coronavirus it is too uncertain,” said Conway. “The senior adults are the ones who normally come to the service. We just don’t think it’s wise to have it this year.”

This year, Memorial Day will be observed on Monday, May 25.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The county commissioners court voted Monday to open the doors to the courthouse to the public again, ending a limited access policy that was in force for several weeks due to concerns about the coronavirus pandemic.

The court also specified a number of county-maintained roads to be considered for a proposed speed limit pending a public hearing set for the next regular meeting on Monday, May 11 at 8:30 a.m.

By Lynsi Musselman

With more time at home, many people in Albany have stepped up their culinary endeavors.

Local resident Megan Ledbetter said she typically cooks meals at home, but with the temporary close of her business, she started taking more time to prepare gourmet type meals and fancy desserts.

“I feel like Betty Crocker,” Ledbetter said. “Normally I nuke things in the microwave.”

Ledbetter said this has been a family experience. Her three-year-old daughter mixes all the eggs and her five-year-old son chops the vegetables. 

Sierra Price Brooks of San Angelo was recently initiated into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation’s oldest and most selective all-discipline collegiate honor society. Brooks was initiated at Angelo State University.

Brooks is among approximately 30,000 students, faculty, professional staff, and alumni to be initiated into Phi Kappa Phi each year. 

Membership is by invitation only and requires nomination and approval by a chapter. Only the top 10 percent of seniors and 7.5 percent of juniors are eligible for membership. 

By Kathy Thomson

Pick-up dates for the May distribution of the commodity food program are expected to take place as scheduled, on May 7 and 8 using the same outdoor distribution protocols enacted last month so participants can more easily maintain proper social distancing.

The Albany distribution will once again take place outside of the building.

“We will set the bags out back on a table,” said Melissa Hobbs at the Justice of the Peace office. “We are relying on the integrity and honesty of people to only take their bag.”

By Lynsi Musselman

Churches were included in Governor Abbott’s Monday afternoon press conference that gave details about the first phase of reopening the state.

Some Albany churches will begin Sunday to return to in-person services. 

Friendship Baptist Church

Pastor Paul Johnston said Friendship Baptist Church will have two worship services this Sunday, one at 9:15 a.m. and the other at 10:55 a.m.

“We recommend that masks be worn for self-protection and the protection of others,” Johnston said.

By Lynsi Musselman

The 2020 Census for Shackelford County, and all of the United States, is facing challenges that puts everyone at risk for an undercount.

Currently, Shackelford County’s response rate is 26.2 percent. 

According to the census bureau, this is one of the lowest percentages in Congressional District 60. 

The response rate for the entire state is below 50 percent, ranking 38th in the nation.

By Lynsi Musselman

Social-distancing creates an environment for personal prayer and comteplation this year during National Day of Prayer. 

Albany churches will welcome all faiths for individual prayer on Thursday, May 7, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Albany’s National Day of Prayer will be organized as a come and go event to avoid large gatherings. Individuals are encouraged to visit any church, or more than one church.