By Sam Waller

General Education Development  (GED) classes have resumed with the start of the spring semester and are being held on  Mondays and Tuesdays at the Shackelford County Library.

Instructor Kenzie Fairchild said anyone interested in registering for classes may still do so. Registrants will need to bring an acceptable form of identification such as drivers license and Social Security card. The classes are open to students age 17 or older. Students who are 17 must have parental consent to register.

By Sam Waller

Project Graduation has two fundraising projects going through the end of January.

Organizer Kenzie Fairchild said orders for the Valentine’s Sale should be turned in on Monday, Jan. 31. Orders may be place with any Albany senior.

A chicken spaghetti takeout lunch is still planned for Sunday, Jan. 30. Lunches will be served to go from 11:30 a.m. until sold out at The Feed Store. There is no set charge for the meals, but donations will be accepted.

Fairchild said a decision on more projects will be made after the end of the month.

By Sam Waller

Moran ISD officials are taking a visual approach in helping students prepare for state-mandated testing.

Superintendent Dr. John Denson said a data room has been established to better chart student progress.

“We’ve got a secure room where we can put all our students’ progress on the walls to help them prepare for the STAAR tests,” Denson said. “It helps us figure out the individual needs of each student. We can determine if a student needs more help in reading, while another might need extra time in math.”

By Melinda L. Lucas

Pick-up dates for the February distribution of the commodity food program will be Thursday, Feb. 3 and Friday, Feb. 4.

Eligible families in Moran should pick up their monthly commodity food at the Moran City Hall between 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 3.

Albany families can pick up on Friday, Feb. 4, from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. at the rear door of the JP office.

Families are reminded to complete a 2022 application to apply for the 2022 program when they pick up their food.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Lions basketball team put together another solid performance in its only outing last week to get back to .500 in District 10-2A play, at least temporarily.

On Tuesday, Jan. 18, Albany defeated Haskell 54-26 to wrap up the first half of district before taking an open date.

“I thought we were more aggressive and wanted to play a little bit harder,” Lions coach Ryder Peacock said. “We got some more offensive  rebounds.”

By Sam Waller

The Albany Lady Lions opened the second half of District 10-2A play with 71-29 home loss to Haskell on Tuesday, Jan. 18, before taking its second bye of the district schedule.

Albany visited Hawley on Tuesday, Jan. 25, to start the closing stretch of the season. The girls lost 45-36, with complete results to be reported next week.

The Lady Lions host Hamlin on Friday, Jan. 28.

Against Haskell, Lady Lions coach Tate Thompson said Albany showed improvement from its first meeting with the Maidens, an 89-21 loss at Haskell on Dec. 14.

By Sam Waller

Seven members of the Albany Lions football team received recognition on the All-Big Country Preps football team after helping Albany advance to the Class 2A Division II state semifinals.

Running back Jaheim Newton, offensive lineman Zane Waggoner, and defensive lineman Taren Farmer were all named to the website’s second team. Quarterback Cole Chapman, offensive lineman Monte Cauble, and linebacker Brooks Neece were honorable mention.

By Sam Waller

Registration is ongoing for the upcoming youth baseball and softball seasons season with information available at Nancy Smith Elementary School.

Albany Little League

Albany Little League organizer Paul Hamilton said the baseball program is shifting to online registration this year, but information on how to register will be available through the school.

Registration deadline for Little League Majors and Minors, Intermediate, and Junior leagues will be Feb. 11.

Competition is also offered in T-Ball and Coach Pitch age groups.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Lions football team will be presented bronze medals for reaching the 2021 state semifinals of the Class 2A Division II playoffs in a cere­mony at 6:00 p.m. Friday, Jan. 28, at the high school gym. The brief ceremony will take place prior to the varsity basketball games against Hamlin.

The University Interscholastic League presents gold and silver medals to members of the state champion and runner-up teams on the field at the state final in December. Both teams that lose in the semifinals receive bronze medals.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Junior High Cubs and Lady Cubs basketball teams had a busy week with games on Thursday, Jan 20, against Hawley and Monday, Jan. 24 against Haskell.

The seventh and eighth grade boys teams will compete in the Breckenridge tournament on Saturday, Jan. 29, while the girls will send one team to the Guthrie tournament.

The junior high teams will close out their schedules against Stamford on Monday, Jan. 31. The girls teams will be at home with the boys on the road.

Eighth Grade Boys