Perry Duff Simmons, 54, of Azle, passed away on Friday, Aug. 2, 2019 in Weatherford. 

Funeral services cele-brating Perry’s life were held Monday, Aug. 5, 2019, at the Springtown United Methodist Church in Springtown, Texas. Burial followed at the Veal Station Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to his family. 

James Monroe Lawrence, age 85, passed away peacefully on July 30, 2019 at Hendrick Hospice Care in Abilene, Texas. Monroe requested that there not be a funeral service since he donated his body to medical research.

Monroe was born north of Breckenridge, Texas on the Sayles Place on July 10, 1934 to Albert D. Lawrence and Pearl Crudgington Lawrence. He was one of nine children born to his parents.

Monroe attended schools in Albany and Breckenridge, then ultimately graduated high school from Abilene High in 1952.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Children from pre-K age to those who have completed sixth grade are expected to have some “wild” and “Amazing Encounters with Jesus” during next week’s “In the Wild” Community Vacation Bible School.

Representatives from most of the churches in town are already busy with decorations and other plans for the upcoming event, which is set for Sunday through Wednesday, Aug. 4-7.

First Baptist Church is hosting this year’s VBS, which is supported by the Albany Ministerial Alliance and coordinated by Ginger Bumguardner.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Workouts for the 2019 volleyball start Thursday (today), with only a couple of days of practice slated before the local squads hit the court for competition.

New head coach M.J. Reneau is expecting over 35 girls to play this season, providing the numbers to support three teams including a varsity and two JV groups.

“I think we will have 36 girls at this points, so that is plenty for three teams,” the coach said. “That will give the girls more playing opportunities.”

By Donnie A. Lucas

Another football season will kick off on Monday with the start of the traditional summer workouts.

Albany’s coaching staff is expecting about 50 players to show up for the first day of practice, which will be an increase over last year’s numbers.

The first session is slated for 8:00 a.m. on Monday, with students needing to hand in the paperwork signed by parents that is required by the school and UIL. 

Equipment will be issued, followed by the first practice of the season for high school players.

Photographs taken of various teams and individuals by The Albany News since the beginning of the local coach pitch, softball and baseball seasons are available for pickup.

Summer baseball and softball packages are priced at $18 plus tax. Many of the packets have already been paid for, and although many have already been picked up, there are dozens still at the News office.

Graduation photos of the 2019 Albany High School seniors are also in, but several members of the class have not yet placed their orders.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Members of the Albany varsity and junior varsity football teams will be in full pads on Friday, Aug. 9 for team and individual photos to be taken at Robert Nail Stadium.

The Lions and their coaches will gather at 1:00 p.m. after the morning practice.

The photos will be used for publicity, as well as in the football program.

Players can also order individual photo packages.

Cheerleader and volleyball pictures have not yet been scheduled, but will probably be taken next week.

By Donnie A. Lucas

High school runners interested in participating in cross country track this fall are meeting Monday, Aug. 5 at 8:00 a.m. to organize for the season.

Anyone entering grades 9-12 is invited to the meeting in the lobby of the main gym.

Coach Tate Thompson will hand out the required forms for runners to have signed by a parent in order to participate.

Tate will set up a workout schedule for runners, as well as announce the meets that the squads will compete in this fall.

By Kathy Thomson

Everyone is invited to come out to the Bank Park at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 12 and meet the players, coaches, and cheerleaders that will represent Albany High during the fall sports season, and for a few dollars they can also enjoy a freshly cooked hamburger meal and dessert.

By Troy Reinke

District Conservationist

Natural Resources Conservation Service Shackelford County

Despite being one of the most popular and most-studied species of wildlife, the northern bobwhite quail population has been in a downward spiral for the past 30 years. 

Experts say it comes down to habitat and changing land use patterns. Knowing their habitat basics can help turn quail numbers around. 

Food preferences