Golfers move on to regional

By Sam Waller

The Albany Lions boys golf team finished second at District 10-2A tournament on Wednesday, April 6, to qualify for regional, shooting 373 as a team to finish at 719, six strokes back of Hawley at Shady Oaks Golf Course.

The Region II-2A tournament is Monday-Tuesday, April 18-19 at Old Brickyard Golf Course in Ferris.

Lions coach Tate Thompson said scores were higher all the way around as tee boxes were moved back.

17 AHS athletes qualify for today’s area track meet

By Sam Waller

The Albany Lions and Lady Lions track and field teams claimed 10 gold medals and advanced 24 entries comprising 17 athletes to area competition.

The District 10-2A meet was held Friday, April 8 at Cisco.

The Albany boys finished second in the team standings with 147 points, while the girls placed fourth with 71 points.

3 advance to state tennis tournament

By Sam Waller

The Albany High School tennis team advanced three of six entries to state at the Region II-2A tournament, which concluded Tuesday, April 11 at Richland Tennis Center in North Richland Hills.

Sarah Cotter, last year’s girls singles state runner­up, returned to state by defeating teammate Sidney Russell in the final. Luke Marshall won the boys singles title to advance.

Bridge barricade to be fortified

By Melinda L. Lucas

Shackelford County commissioners heard a report from Clifford Teinert about the historic bridge at Fort Griffin, the object of vandalism over the last few years.

The bridge, which spans the Clear Fork of the Brazos, touches the Collins Creek Ranch on the south side, and is in Throckmorton County on the north. It has been closed to vehicle traffic for a number of years, but is a popular foot bridge and location for photos.

Scholarship packets to be ready April 20

By Melinda L. Lucas

Representatives of local organizations and boards that award scholarships to Albany High School graduates are asked to collect applications from Ann Riley at the AHS office on Wednesday, April 20.

The original schedule was to hand those out on Friday, April 15, but the school offices will be closed both Friday and Monday for a long Easter weekend.

Riley said seniors were required to turn in their application letters by Wednesday, April 13.

Albany News

FFA students compete

By Sam Waller

The Albany FFA chapter competed in the Big Country District and Area 4 contests Wednesday, April 13, at Tarleton State University in Stephenville.

Local students prepared for the event by competing in several practice meets over the last three weeks, attending contests at Weatherford, Sweetwater and San Angelo.

Albany News

Project Grad letters mailed to past donors

By Melinda L. Lucas

In only six weeks, the senior class of Albany High school will walk across the stage and receive their diplomas.

After the ceremony, the graduates will enjoy the tradition of Project Graduation, which is the alcohol and drug-free event that concludes a student’s experience at AHS.

The 45 members of this year’s graduating class will be staying in town and celebrating in a progressive style by enjoying all the fun facilities Albany has to offer the youth.

Albany News

Only 1 positive case reported by local testing

By Donnie A. Lucas

Only one positive case of COVID-19 was recorded at the three Albany testing sites over the last two weeks.

A total of 13 tests were administered during the period, according to a report issued by county judge Bob Skelton.

The number of hospitalized cases in Trauma Service Area D which includes Abilene and Brownwood hospitals dropped to just two patients, including one in ICU at the time of the report on Tuesday.

Albany News

COVID delays priest’s return to Texas

By Sam Waller

Father Prakash Dias took a rather convoluted path to his post as priest at Albany’s Jesus of Nazareth Catholic Church and Breckenridge’s Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church.

A visit home to his native India turned into a nearly year-long ordeal to return to work.

Dias, a native of Honavar, Karwar, Karnataka, India, originally planned a 30-day visit, leaving in late April last year. He finally returned to the United States on Feb. 10 after nine months and 10 days.

Albany News

Local churches celebrate Easter

By Sam Waller

Local churches will conduct Easter services Sunday, April 17 with other Holy Week services in advance.

Trinity Lutheran Church will have a Maundy Thursday service at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, April 14 (tonight), and a Good Friday service at 6:30 p.m. Friday, April 15. On Easter Sunday, a sunrise service will be held at 7:00 a.m. at the Lutheran Cemetery. Breakfast will be served at the church at 9:30 a.m. with Easter worship service at 10:30 a.m. An Easter egg hunt for children will he held after services.