By Sandy Morris

Members of the four and five year old class taught by Brandi Lehew at Matthews Memorial Presbyterian Church Mother’s Day Out program have been learning about the local community. 

Lehew said she has been here in Albany about three years and thought this spring would be a good time for her students and herself to learn about the town.

“We started in January, but we were still working around COVID,” said Lehew. “In February, we walked to the post office and mailed Valentine cards to the children’s parents.”

By Melinda L. Lucas

A Cisco man who had been missing for three days was found dead in a remote part of northwestern Shackelford County on Monday evening, May 17, according to Shackelford County sheriff Ed Miller.

The body of Samuel Ray Woody, 79, was spotted by pilots of a DPS helicopter about 6:15 p.m. after law enforcement officers, fire department members, and volunteers had been searching the area for most of the day.

By Sandy Morris

The Robert Nail Football Stadium will be the site of the weekly worship service and child dedication held by First Baptist Church of Albany on Sunday, May 23, although weather concerns may move the event back to the church.

The service is open to the community and attendees are invited to sit in the stands. The FBC Worship Team will set up on the grass.

In the event of rain, the service will be moved indoors to the sanctuary. 

Jordan Pleasant graduated cum laude May 7 from Hardin Simmons University with a degree in business administration. 

A 2017 Albany High graduate, he is the son of Jeff and Ricia Pleasant and grandson of Gerald and Ruby Petree, all of Albany.

Taylor Scott of Albany was listed on the Dean’s List at Midwestern State University for the spring 2021  semester.

She completed 12 or more hours with a grade point average of 3.50 to 3.74.

Taylor Scott is the daughter of Jonathan and Jenny Scott and is studying Radiologic Technology.

By Sandy Morris

Shackelford County ResourceCare hosted the 17th annual spring health fair at the Bank Park last Friday, May 14.

“We had students from Nancy Smith Elementary School and Mother’s Day Out here in Albany, and Moran brought 60 students,” said ResourceCare program director Mindy Ary. “The children enjoyed all of the games, prizes, snow cones, and popcorn.”

By Sandy Morris

Several Albany residents competed at the 36th annual Western Heritage Classic in Abilene earlier this month after last year’s event was cancelled due to COVID concerns.

Ranch Rodeo

Matthews/Nail Ranch of Albany won first place in the Ranch Rodeo division. The team previously won the same title in 2019. 

Green Land & Cattle Company took second place in the contest. 

Fiddlers Contest

Shackelford County was well represented in the WHC Fiddlers Contest on Saturday, May 8. 

By Donnie A. Lucas

The Lion baseball team won two straight games in the area series last week against Ozona, advancing to the regional quarterfinal round of the playoffs starting Friday.

Albany (20-3-1) will face district foe Hawley (12-20-0, 5-5) for the playoff rematch starting on Friday  at 1:00 p.m., with Game 2 set for 1:00 p.m. Saturday. A third game will follow the second bout if needed.

The series is set for Abilene High School, depending on the weather.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Local students will have the opportunity to participate in several sports camps during the summer break, including one scheduled June 1-3 the week after school ends.

The first camp combines three sports – football, baseball and basketball – with one day of instruction dedicated to each.

The All-Sports Camp is open to both boys and girls.

By Sandy Morris

The annual Father’s Day golf tournament hosted by the Albany Golf Club has been postponed, according to Albany Golf Club representative James Waters, because new greens currently under construction won’t be ready in time.

Wednesday afternoon scrambles are continuing as weather permits.