By Donnie A. Lucas

Two Albany tracksters will compete in jumping events at the State Track Meet on Friday at the Mike Myers Stadium on the campus of the University of Texas.

Sophomore Cole Chapman won the high jump Region II Track Meet, going 6-02 on his last attempt. Junior Luke Ivy finished second in the triple jump with a leap of 43-10.25, also on his final attempt.

Chapman will jump at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, while Ivy will compete at 1:00 p.m.

Both events are part of Session 3, which includes the field events for Class 2A and 5A.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The Lion baseball team ended the regular season undefeated, advancing into the playoffs as the winner of District 8-2A.

Albany (16-3-1, 10-0) will face the Coleman Bluecats (12-10, 8-5) in the bi-district series that starts Friday and continues on Saturday.

Game 1 is set for Glen Rose at 6:30 p.m. Friday, with the Lions serving as the home team. Ticket prices are set at $5 for adults and $3 for students.

By Sandy Morris

The Albany Study Club will host a Quilt Show at the Whitney Theatre during the Fort Griffin Fandangle, June 18, 19, 25, and 26.

The show is free to the public and will be open from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m.

To submit a quilt or handmade piece for the show, exhibitors can leave their project in a plastic bag with a completed information card at the Shackelford County Library.

The club also will be selling raffle tickets for a quilt made by Sandi Conway and quilted by Amy Folsom.

Albany baseball and softball team pictures that were cancelled last week due to the weather are currently being rescheduled by The Albany News.

Coach pitch teams will be taken on Saturday, May 15, and times will be set soon for girls softball.

T-ball and Little League packets are available now.

By Sandy Morris

Shackelford County ResouceCare’s 17th annual spring health fair will take place at the Albany Bank Park on Friday, May 14 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

ResourceCare program director Mindy Ary said they expect around 15 agencies to attend the health fair for Albany and Moran elementary students.

“We will have face painting, snow cones, popcorn, and booth games throughout the morning,” said Ary. “The Albany Fire Department is also providing a bounce house.”

By Sandy Walker

Albany High School seniors will be very busy during the next three weeks, with several activities planned during the time leading up to graduation.

Pictures should have already been turned in to class parent Tisha Wilkins for the senior slide show, including one baby picture, one elementary or junior high photo, and one senior picture from each senior. 

“If for some reason they have not yet been turned in, they need to be given to me as soon as possible,” said Wilkins.

By Brad McBee

Earlier in the month I caught sight of my first Scissor-tailed Flycatcher (also known as the Texas Bird-of-paradise) of the year. The Scissor-tailed Flycatcher is by far one of my favorite birds of Texas. 

When I first moved to Texas, this elegant bird immediately caught my attention, sweeping through the air as it dashes to catch insects in flight. If the windshield of my truck is any indicator, there are plenty of bugs that need to be eaten.

By Sandy Morris

Local residents are invited to come to the Bank Park at 8:00 a.m. on Thursday, May 6, to join the Albany Ministerial Alliance and millions of people across the nation in prayer for the United States.

AMA president and First Baptist Church minister Jeff Turner said the plans are to gather and pray collectively and then extend an invitation to anyone who would like to pray for the city, state, and country.

By Sandy Morris

The local chapter of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes has set up a silent auction of plaques of famous athletes and public figures in an effort to raise money to send students to FCA camp this summer.

The plaques were originally ordered for an FCA golf tournament that was rained out, according to FCA East organizer Paul Johnston.

By Sandy Morris

Academic excellence will be recognized at the Albany High School Academic Banquet sponsored by Albany ISD, the Feed Store, and the AJSHA Academic Booster Club on Monday, May 10 at 7:00 p.m., with a theme of “Be the Change You Wish to See in the World.”

The annual banquet is held in the main gym in honor of students who displayed outstanding scholarly achievement during the school year.

A chicken fried chicken  dinner will be served, according to Feed Store director Tisha Wilkins.