By Melinda L. Lucas

Summer reading at the Shackelford County Library will continue throughout the summer instead of ending this week as initially planned.

Members of the Albany Study Club decided to extend the program for local children with a weekly reading time and crafts, but the volunteers are changing the time to 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday afternoons.

Children from the ages of two to four (with an adult) and kindergarten to fourth grade are encouraged to attend.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Three Shackelford County employees with several decades of county experience were recognized at Monday’s regular commissioners meeting, with plans made for a retirement reception this week.

Gayala Askew, who has worked 29 years in the county tax-assessor’s and voter registration office, and Tempie Wiloth, who retired May 29 after 28 years with the sheriff’s department, were both given plaques by county judge Bob Skelton during the June 24 session.

It does seem like you see signs everywhere these days. A lot of these quotes are on T shirts. I have a Sign Wall in my den. Some of the signs are spiritual and some are just for fun.  

•Here are a few for seniors...I thought growing old would take longer. I don’t have grey hair; I have wisdom highlights. Growing old is not for sissies. 

•My BUCKET LIST...1. Keep breathing.

•If you’re happy and you know it...it’s your meds. 

•I don’t trip, I do random gravity checks.

•Young at heart, slightly older in other parts.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Albany’s 10U and 12U Little League All-Star teams picked up wins in the first two rounds of bracket play in the District 5 All-Stars Tournament.

Both teams started bracket games on Saturday, continuing Sunday despite a rain delay for one of the teams.

Albany hosted teams from Breckenridge on Tuesday evening, with the 10U winning 16-10, and the 12U dropping their first game 7-2. Details of the games were not available at press time but will be reported next week.

By Nolan Davis

The Albany 7on7 team is looking to win big as they compete in the state tournament today and tomorrow in College Station.

The team qualified for the state level after going 3-0 in a qualifying tournament June 7 in Archer City.

The team, coached by Anthony Ceder and Spencer Newsom, has been very successful in its season so far, playing in two tournaments and many exhibition games.

While Albany has qualified for state before, the local players did not advance last year.

By Kathy Thomson

The Albany Softball Association met Tuesday, June 18 at the county library to select board members and elect officers.

President Beth Roysdon and vice president Amy McDaniel were elected May 28. Remaining officers and board members were chosen last Tuesday. 

Other officers include Brian Holson as treasurer/secretary, and Ricky Lucas as player representative. Teresa Purcell is in charge of the concession stand.

Other board members are Kevin Nowell, Jacey Shack, and Mike Bean.

By Kathy Thomson

The Moran cheerleaders are raising money to help pay for uniforms and pep rally supplies, with one fundraiser behind them and at least two others in the near future.

A mini cheer camp will take place at the Moran school gym from 9:00 to 11:30 a.m. on July 29-31.

The camp is designed for youth from pre-kindergarten (three years old) through fifth graders.

Registration, which includes a t-shirt, is $25 per child.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The Albany 16U Senior League team had a short season due to the high school baseball playoffs, but still finished the season undefeated.

The local team finished with a 10-0 record in games against Wylie and both the Abilene Nationals and the Abilene Twins from Northern Little League.

By Nolan Davis

As the Fourth of July quickly approaches, Shackelford County residents are encouraged to take necessary safety precautions when celebrating and using fireworks.

“People need to pay close attention when they’re using fireworks during the holiday,” said Shackelford County Rural Fire Department chief Brad Henry. “Just be very careful.”

While the county is not under a burn ban or any special fireworks restrictions, people should still be cautious as fireworks can easily cause fires in grassy and wooded areas.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Summer conditioning programs for both boys and girls entering grades 7-12 are well underway at the high school campus.

Head football coach Denney Faith said that about 25 to 30 boys have been attending during the last three weeks, while girls coach M.J. Reneau reported an average of 25 girls attending the sessions for Lady Lions.

The boys are meeting at 7:00 a.m., followed by the girls at 8:00 a.m.