By Donnie A. LucasThe Albany Ragin’ Red Band earned a Division I rating from judges at the Region 6 UIL Marching Contest held Monday at Wylie High School.The band was one of two 2A groups in the East Zone to advance to the Area Marching Contest set for Saturday, Oct. 30 in Amarillo.

By Sam WallerNearly 30 Albany FFA students participated in the Greenhand Camp on Oct. 13 at the Taylor County Expo Center in Abilene with local chapter president Leddie Leech helping lead part of the program.Leech assisted with a presentation entitled “What Can FFA Do For You.

By Sam WallerNine members of the Shackelford County 4-H Club qualified for district competition Saturday with their efforts at the county food show held at Friendship Baptist Church.The 4-Hers competed in appetizer, main dish, side dish and healthy dessert categories.

By Melinda L. LucasAlbany ISD trustees spent most of Monday night’s regular meeting going over the district’s various required improvement plans, as well as approving the final version of the 2020-2021 financial audit.

By Donnie A. LucasAlbany merchants and others will set up in the downtown block to hand out candy on Saturday, Oct. 30, continuing a tradition of hosting a community trick-or-treat event.The fun will start at 2:30 p.m. and continue until 4:30 p.m.

By Donnie A. LucasA new president was elected and four directors were re-elected to another term at the annual membership meeting of the Fort Griffin Fandangle Association held Tuesday, Oct. 12.

By Melinda L. LucasShackelford County Hospital board members voted to move forward with a search for a new district administrator during an Oct. 18 meeting.

By Sam WallerThere will be plenty to do this Saturday, Oct. 23 at Webb Park for folks attending the Albany Chamber of Commerce’s Home of the Hereford Cookoff and Cornhole Tournament.Cookoff categories start with dutch oven bread at 10:00 a.m.

By Melinda L. LucasWork is underway to make needed repairs and improvements on the exterior of the Aztec Theater, a major renovation project that is expected to cost in the neighborhood of $200,000, according to Aztec of Albany board president John Caldwell.

By Sam WallerFour Moran seventh grade FFA students competed in Agricultural Product Identification on Monday at the State Fair of Texas in Dallas, placing fifth among FFA teams.Team members are Cutter Campbell, Jaelynn Cottle, Ashlyn Crawford and Landon Moreno.