By Lynsi Musselman

The 32nd annual anti-drug campaign called Red Ribbon Week kicks off Oct. 26-30 for the Albany Independent School District.

The event is sponsored locally by AISD and the Albany Task Force on Drugs and Alcohol Abuse, with support provided by several other state and local agencies.

The national theme for 2020 is “Be Happy, Be Brave, Be Drug Free.”

A full five-day observation of Red Ribbon Week, including dress-up themes each day, will be held on both campuses this year.

By Lynsi Musselman

The Albany High School marching band is getting ready for the University Interscholastic League East Zone marching contest on Saturday, Nov. 7, after UIL delayed the contest due to COVID-19 precautions.

The UIL East Zone marching contest normally would be taking place this coming weekend, with the Ragin’ Red Band as a contestant.

Albany band director William Vaughn said that instead a clinician will be in Albany this Saturday, Oct. 17 to work with the students. 

By Lynsi Musselman

Albany Fellowship of Christian Athlete students  can join other youth on Wednesday, Oct. 21 at 7:00 p.m. in Abilene’s Shotwell Stadium for the Big Country FCA sponsored Fields of Faith.

FCA Big Country East representative and local pastor Paul Johnston said that all junior high and high school students are welcome to attend the event.

By Lynsi Musselman

Members of Matthews Memorial Presbyterian Church will host their second annual ‘Ribgate’ on Friday, Oct. 16 from 5:00 to 6:45 p.m.

Pastor Anthoy Ceder said this is an opportunity to host the community of Albany in an outdoor “tailgate” event in the MMPC backyard.

All are invited.

FBC Event Cancelled

First Baptist Church’s annual chili supper traditionally held at 5:30 p.m. before the homecoming game, has been cancelled for this year.

By Lynsi Musselman

Trinity Lutheran Church  will observe “Mission” Sunday during the regular church service on Sunday, Oct. 18 in place of the annual Fall Mission Festival.

Pastor Tom Chandler said that to plan an event with an outside speaker takes time.

“With all the uncertainties this year, it was too hard to put anything in place,” Chandler added.

Trinity Lutheran’s Fall Mission Festival typically has missionaries from outside the community come and present their missionary work during a meal and fellowship.

By Lynsi Musselman

Members of the Albany Volunteer Fire Department will be presenting fire safety information to local school children Friday, Oct. 16 as part of National Fire Prevention Week.

“We plan to take our big engines and rescue truck for the kids to see this year,” said fire chief Kyle Tischler. “We also might get the chance to speak with the students in small groups.”

The VFD plans to be at Nancy Smith Elementary School in the morning and will visit Moran the same day as well.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The Lion football team will be back at home this week to host the Ranger Bulldogs in a homecoming game as the District 8-2A race continues. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. at Robert Nail Stadium.

Homecoming was originally scheduled on Oct. 2 against Meri-dian, but even though the game itself was played, homecoming activities were postponed because of a spike in COVID-19 cases at the local high school.

Homecoming royalty will be presented during halftime of this Friday’s game against Ranger.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The Lady Lion varsity volleyball team was able to get back on the court last Saturday for the first time in two weeks following a halt in their schedule because of cases of COVID-19 on the squad.

Albany traveled to Moran on Saturday as they restarted their schedule, picking up a 25-11, 25-9, 25-10 win.

The Lady Lions were also on the court Tuesday, earning a 25-9, 25-12, 25-14 win over the visiting Newcastle Lady Bobcats. Complete results were not available at press time but will be reported next week.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The four high school girls running cross country track this season ran at a meet in Seymour last week as they prepare for the district meet in two weeks.

The foursome was in Anson Oct. 14, with results to be reported next week.

The team will compete in Munday on Oct. 21, then return to Anson on Oct. 28 for the district meet.

Placing at Seymour on Oct. 7 were 12. Briley Tabor 15:24; 13. Brylee Moore 15:28; 20. Sidney Russell 16.11; and 25. Maci Hatchett 15.28.

The Ministerial Alliance will host students for the after-game fellowship following the Albany Lions’ homecoming football game this Friday, Oct. 16.

The “Fifth Quarter” event will be held at The Feed Store directly after the Ranger game.

The fellowship will end at 10:30 p.m., earlier than this year’s previous events.