Parents of local Little League, coach pitch, t-ball, and softball league participants are asked to be aware of upcoming plans to take team and individual pictures.

“Because there are so many teams, we’re really having a hard time scheduling everything in a timely manner,” said Melinda Lucas of The Albany News. “We especially need to get the coach pitch and t-ball teams done because their season is so short, and it’s already underway. We’re hoping to take all of them this Saturday, but I’ll get word to the coaches by Thursday, depending on the forecast.”

The Moran Future Farmers of America poultry team of Jaylynn Roberts, Johnnie Hise, Sage O’Keefe, and Hannah Rogers placed sixth in the Big Country District at the Tarleton Area IV CDE contest at Stephenville on Wednesday, April 17. 

The top five poultry teams from Area IV, which included the top two teams from the Big Country district, one from the Pecan Valley District, and two from the Oil Belt District qualified for the state poultry competition that will take place at Texas A&M University in College Station on Saturday, May 4.

Kindergarten and 

Two Moran High School tennis teams competed at the Region 3-A meet at Whitney last Thursday, April 18, and although the season ended for both the girls doubles team of Kaylin New and Hannah Rogers and the boys doubles team of Kobee Lapp and Harley Schafer at the regional meet, coach Jo Hise praised her athletes for all of their efforts over the year.  

“I’m very proud of how these teams played and represented Moran ISD,” she said. “We had a wonderful season, and I’m looking forward to another great season next year.”

Organizers are busy putting the finishing touches on plans for this Saturday’s Wild West Day in downtown Albany, and they are hoping that the pleasant forecast and the plethora of family friendly activities will attract a big crowd.

“We have a lot of activities planned and have put so much work into it, that I am really hoping people will show up to enjoy it,” said Albany Chamber of Commerce manager Mary Beth Jones.

The rain that was predicted for this Tuesday arrived in downtown Albany in a fairly dramatic fashion just after 2:00 p.m. that afternoon, when the dark sky opened up, and rain poured down so thick that the opposite side of Main Street was hidden from view for several minutes. 

Small hail, pea to dime sized, gathered into drifts on some porches and against structures, but for most, the sheer volume of water was the greater concern.

The list of honor students in the 2019 Albany High School senior class was released last week, naming Caroline Masters as valedictorian and Jillian Guinn as salutatorian.

Masters, daughter of Tami and Brian Masters, has a four-year average of 96.937.

The salutatorian, daughter of Robbin Guinn and Shea Guinn, has earned an overall average of 96.27.

Local students earn the traditional grade point average based on numeric grades for each class. However, it is actually the weighted grade point system that is used to determine class ranking.

Anyone who would like to add a veteran’s name to the Shackelford County veterans memorial marker is asked to contact Mary Kay O’Connor at 325-660-2498 by Friday, May 10 at the latest.

Veterans do not have to be deceased, nor do they have to have served in a war to be included on the memorial marker.

O’Connor hopes to have all names updated on the marker in time for Memorial Day, Monday, May 27.

She will need the veteran’s name the way it will appear on the marker, as well as proof of service. 

The cost of engraving each name is currently $65.

A special reception honoring retiring Albany ISD board members Betsy Parsons and Pam Davis is being planned by AISD administrators and staff members for this Sunday, April 28.

The come-and-go event is set for 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. at the Aztec Theater’s reception room.

“This is an opportunity for our community to express appreciation for the years of service to the students of AISD that Betsy and Pam have provided,” said superintendent Jonathan Scott. “We appreciate their commitment to making AISD a great place to learn and grow.” 

The annual Fandangle membership Sampler, presented at Collins Creek Ranch at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 20, was a big success, according to artistic director Lorna Ayers. 

“The weather was beautiful,” Ayers said. “The turnout was great. And the show was fantastic!”

Association president Lanham Martin agreed.

“We had a really good turnout,” Martin said. “The show went smooth, and it was a great night. I think everyone had a good time, and I know that all of the seven or eight briskets that Cody Leech and Lesley Jones prepared all got eaten.”

The Fort Griffin Special Utility District (FGSUD) is in the process of conducting its first contested board election in more than a decade, with early voting already underway, and the actual election day set for May 4, the same day as elections for the Albany city council and school board.

Two three-year terms on the seven-member board are expiring with two candidates for each seat.

Incumbent Kenneth Hill of Albany is being challenged by Donald (Don) Stutsman of Moran.