By Donnie A. Lucas

The Albany High School track season is slated to start today in Breckenridge, although the weather forecast may delay or even cancel the event.

Field events are scheduled to start at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, followed by running events at 5:00 p.m.

The meet is billed as a relay event, which means there are additional, non-traditional relays on the schedule while some of the usual races are not being held.

By Sandy Morris

The local Little Dribblers teams continued their season with games on Saturday, Feb. 20, in the old Albany High School gym. 

The final games will start at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 27. 

Results from last week’s games are listed below.

Boys WEEK 3

Gray 29 – Black 27

Scoring for Gray – Matthew Key 2, Ben Russell 5, McCoy Vaughn 3, Blake Britting 19.

Scoring for Black – Jathan Perez 4, Slayton Parsons 9,  Lyle Wheeler 14.

Black 31 – Red 24

By Donnie A. Lucas

The 2020 Class 2A All-State Football selections were announced Monday by the Texas Sports Writers Association, and the list includes one Albany player.

Senior Wesley Estridge received Honorable Mention by the organization at the defensive lineman position.

The 2A selections included schools from both Division I and Division II.

Estridge was also named to the Class 2A second team All-Big Country at defensive lineman. He was the district lineman of the year, totaling 74 tackles (27 solo), including 18 for a loss and 2.5 sacks.

Carolyn Hill (second from right), who often helps coach local tennis players as a community volunteer, works with several junior high students on their serving. The Albany High School team members were in action for the first time this week, with Hawley hosting a weather-delayed invitational meet at Rose Park in Abilene.

Beverly June Arendt of Hico and Stephenville Texas went to be with her Lord at the age of 96 on Feb. 18, 2021. 

She was born in Shackelford County on Sept. 4, 1924 to E.D. and Mollie Hale. She grew up in Albany, Texas where she met her best friend for life, H.C. Arendt. 

During WW II, June worked as a riveter at Shepherd Air Force Base. Soon after H.C. returned from serving in the Army during the war, they were married on Oct. 11, 1945. They enjoyed 64 wonderful years together. 

Billie George Mathis was born April 21, 1933 in Albany, TX to Benjamin Milton and Della Aubry (Ragsdale) Mathis. On Feb. 21, 2021, he passed quietly and peacefully at his home surrounded by loving hands.

A service will be held Thursday, Feb. 25, at 10:00 a.m. at Bell Cypert Seale Chapel officiated by Pastor Misty Thomason. Interment will follow at Albany Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Bell Cypert Seale Funeral Home.

Melvinia Schuster, age 69 of Albany, passed away Tuesday, Feb 16, 2021. 

A graveside service was held Tuesday, Feb. 23 at the Albany Cemetery with Rev. Luke Spraberry officiating. Interment followed under the direction of Morehart Mortuary.

Melvinia Irene Fryar was born on Aug. 25, 1951 in Albany, Texas to her parents Melvin Fryar and Ruby Lipstraw Fryar. She graduated from Albany High School and then went on to community college and obtained a degree in accounting. 

In her free time, Melvinia enjoyed making beaded jewelry. 

By Sandy Morris

& Melinda L. Lucas

Old Man Winter blew into Shackelford County with a vengeance Sunday morning with freezing drizzle, snow flurries, temperatures in the teens and low 20s, and a wind chill near zero.

Unfortunately, Sunday’s weather was only the beginning of the winter blast, as the remainder of the week has seen warnings in effect for wind chills falling into the negative 15 and 20 degree range and temperatures staying in the low teens and single digits, dipping down below zero several nights. 

By Melinda L. Lucas

In addition to dealing with paralyzing cold during the last few days, Albany citizens have been stunned by two devastating house fires that took the life of a local woman and  completely destroyed both homes.

Melvina Irene Fryar was in her family home on Kenshalo Street when fire was reported around 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 16. She graduated from Albany High School in 1969 and had lived in Albany for most of her life.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Members of the Shackelford County Hospital District’s board of directors met on Tuesday night, Feb. 16 with the primary purpose of approving payment of bills, and that’s about all they had time for, with a nearby house fire interrupting the session.

Board president Jo Ann Estridge said that a special session will need to be called before the next regular meeting scheduled March 15 in order for the directors to take care of several items that were on Tuesday’s agenda.