By Melinda L. Lucas

An accident right at the Albany city limits on Highway 6 Monday afternoon sent two local residents to the hospital, where they remained at press time with the possibility of being dismissed on Wednesday.

Adam Viertel, 40, and Cooper Edgar, 16, collided a little before 2:00 p.m., with Viertel headed south, and Edgar, an Albany High School student, turning north to go to football practice.

Both were taken by ambulance to Hendrick Medical Center in Abilene.

By Sidney Bartee

As the school year begins, hundreds of children commute to and from the local campuses by school bus, car, bicycle, and on foot.

Drivers should be aware of the increased risk of injury to children that results from speeding or distracted driving, especially when combined with students who may forget to watch for oncoming traffic.

Although the first couple days of classes at both Albany school campuses went very smoothly, school authorities want to put more community focus on school transportation safety.

Flashing Lights

By Sidney Bartee

The Ragin’ Red Band’s Community Night was rescheduled from Aug. 16 to Aug. 23 due to weather this week.

The event will still be held at Robert Nail Memorial Stadium and is set to begin at 8:00 p.m.

The band will perform what they’ve been working on throughout summer rehearsals and director Will Vaughan will introduce all members for the 2021-2022 school year. 

Members of the Band Booster Club will also be present at the event to help raise funds for the band trip to Colorado during spring break.

By Sam Waller

The 35th annual First Impressions Invitational Pig Sale in Shackelford County has been scheduled for Sept. 12 at the Shackelford County Livestock Show Barn.

The sale benefits all Shackelford County youth who exhibit at the county livestock show.

“This is our biggest fundraiser of the year,” Bronco Askew, president of the Shackelford County Youth and Livestock Association, said.

By Sidney Bartee

With the start of the school year, several Albany churches and organizations also begin youth services for students to become closer to Jesus.

Feed Store

Tuesday lunches for juniors and seniors will start again on Aug. 24.

The Feed Store will have fifth quarters this year.

Fifth quarter begins after the end of football home games and ends at midnight.

The first home game is on Sept. 17.

Friendship Baptist

By Sidney Bartee

Citizens of Moran will hold their annual garage sale on Saturday, Sept. 4, beginning at 7:00 a.m.

Organizers will have maps and lists of homes participating at the Moran community center on the day of the sale.

The deadline for community members to sign up is by noon Thursday, Sept. 2.

“We have had some responses already,” community volunteer Michelle Taggart said. “We expect a few more people participate.”

There is a post on the city of Moran Facebook page for people to sign up if they want to participate.

By Sidney Bartee

Board members of the Albany Chest will meet to organize the 2021 fundraising campaign, nominate and elect new directors, and choose officers for the upcoming year during a Sept. 1 meeting 

The meeting will be held at the Feed Store at 5:15 p.m.

Current board chair Amy Kelly said four directors will complete their current terms, with Kelly, Tisha Wilkins, and Mindy Skelton set to rotate off the board and Sara Wilson eligible to serve another term.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Lions got their first taste of outside competition Friday with a controlled scrimmage against the Coleman Bluecats at Coleman’s Hufford Field.

The Lions get their final preseason test Thursday (tonight) against the Hawley Bearcats at Robert Nail Memorial Stadium, with action starting at 6:00 p.m.

Coleman scored the only touchdown of Friday’s scrimmage early in the proceedings before defenses took over the rest of the way.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Lady Lions volleyball team capped a productive opening week of the season Saturday by claiming the Gold Bracket championship of their own Albany Summer Slam Tournament.

All three Albany teams beat Olney Tuesday, with the varsity winning their matches 25-14, 25-7, 25-17. Details will be reported next week.

The girls will host Eastland on Friday, with the varsity starting the action at 4:30 p.m.

The first district game is against Ranger at the local gym. on Tuesday, Aug. 24. The JV2 will start at 4:30 p.m.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Lions cross country runners are progressing with their preseason workouts as they prepare for their first meet of the season.

“We’re slowly working our way up to the race distances we’re going to be running,” coach Tate Thompson said. “We’ve been doing more segment training, hills and things like that, instead of just running miles and miles. We’re trying to build up their endurance right now, trying to get ready to compete at this first meet.”

Albany runners will open their season Sept. 1 at Haskell.