By Melinda L. Lucas

With new CDC guidelines for coronavirus vaccine distribution and more relaxed statewide COVID restrictions now in effect, Shackelford County residents are hoping that some semblance of “normal” will return in the near future, even as regular spring activities like Fandangle practice and league sports resume.

Both Albany health clinics are reporting fewer positive cases of the coronavirus, although Albany ISD did communicate that there was one lab-confirmed student at the elementary campus in the days leading up to Spring Break.

Don Stutsman, age 72 of Moran, passed away Friday, Mar. 12, 2021. Graveside funeral services with full military honors will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, Mar. 20 at the Moran Cemetery Pavilion with Bro. Larry Briley officiating. Interment will follow under the direction of Morehart Mortuary.

Donald Edward Stutsman was born Aug. 8, 1948 in Electra, Texas to his parents, William Edward Stutsman and Donna Jeanne Thiele Stutsman. On Mar. 19, 1978, Don married Ellen Marie Parrish in Moran, Texas.

By Sandy Morris

Moran Independent School District will dismiss on Friday, March 12 at the regular time for Spring Break.

Spring Break is set for March 15-19, and classes will resume at the normal time on Wednesday, March 22. 

UIL Meet

The UIL District 13-A academic meet will be held in Eula on Thursday, March 24.

Other schools in the district with Moran and Eula are Baird, Cross Plains, May, and Rising Star.

Spring Fling

By Sandy Morris

The Moran varsity track team members competed in the first meet of the season on Thursday, March 4 in Rising Star. 

The next meet is scheduled for Thursday, March 18 at the May Tiger Relays.

Varsity Girls Results

Alli Scott placed second in long jump, first in the 100 meter dash, and first in the 300 meter hurdles.

Hannah Noble came in first in the 100 meter dash and 200 meter dash. 

Johnnie Hise was second in high jump, and fourth in the 800 meter dash.

By Sandy Morris

The Albany Girls Softball Association is ready to kick off the season and will hold a ‘Field Day’ at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 13 at Webb Park on the Albany softball field. 

Registration

Jacey Shack, president of AGSA, said registration has been extended through Saturday.

“Because of the weather and other issues, some kids didn’t get a form to sign up,” said Shack. “We decided to extend registration to give everyone who wants to play a chance to sign up.”

By Donnie A. Lucas

The junior high track teams opened the season last Tuesday, March 2 in Breckenridge, followed by competing in the Albany meet on Monday.

Coach M.J. Reneau said that the Breckenridge meet was a good beginning for the eighth grade.

“All the girls have a great starting point in their events,” Reneau said. “Our goal is to improve our marks and times each week.”

Coach Ginger Norton said that the seventh graders also did a good job at the first meet.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The Lions varsity baseball team defeated ­DeLeon last Tuesday, then played four games at the Glen Rose tournament on Thursday through Saturday, with a 1-2-1 result.

The tournament that Albany was scheduled to host has been cancelled due to teams dropping out because of cases of the coronavirus at some of the schools on the schedule.

By Sandy Morris

There will be a send-off for Albany High School athlete Wesley Estridge at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, March 11.

The send-off will begin at the high school and proceed through the downtown area going towards Breckenridge. 

The local high school senior will be competing at the Texas High School Powerlifting Association’s regional level competition to be held in Alvord on Friday, March 12.

Estridge is currently sitting in first place in Region 6, Division 3 Single Heavy Weight Powerlifting. 

By Melinda L. Lucas

The Albany High School boys golf team finished third at the Hawley Golf Tournament last Wednesday, March 3, and several local golfers placed in the top 10 among the medalists.

Out of the 35 total competitors in the tournament, Houston Heatly placed fourth as an individual, while Lute Wheeler was right behind him in fifth.  Both athletes are freshmen.

“The boys are continuing to get better each week,” said golf coach Tate Thompson. “For some of them, this is the first time that they’ve played in tournaments.” 

By Donnie A. Lucas

The Albany boys basketball program was represented well, taking nine spots in the District 10-2A All-District selections announced this week.

Albany senior Barrett Beal was named Offensive MVP by the district’s coaches, while freshman Adam Hill took another of the superlatives with 6th Man of the Year.