By Donnie A. Lucas

Voters will have the chance to go to the polls for a second time this month with the May 24 State Primary Elections Run-off for both the Republican and Democratic parties.

In-person early voting ends on Friday, May 20. All voting is again consolidated at the Shackelford County Courthouse.

Early voters can mark their ballots from 8:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. through May 20. The Courthouse is also open through the lunch hour for early voters.

By Donnie A. Lucas

A record crowd of students, parents and staff attended the annual Academic Banquet on Monday to honor academic excellence of students in a variety of activities including academic UIL events, journalism, band, FFA, one-act play, and FCCLA.

A total of 370 attended the event to recap the successes of the school year, which is sponsored by The Feed Store, Albany Academic Booster Club, and Albany ISD.

The group was welcomed by superintendent Jonathan Scott, proceeding to the buffet line for the meal prepared by the Icehouse Restaurant.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The annual Baccalaureate service for the Albany High School Class of 2022 is set for Sunday, May 22 at 4:00 p.m. in the high school auditorium.

Former Albany youth minister Spencer Newsom will be the featured speaker. He will be introduced by class valedictorian Luke Ivy.

A total of 34 seniors are expected to participate in the service, which is one of several events that will culminate with graduation next Friday night.

On May 8, 2022, John Robert Watson, age 86, peacefully went to be with the Lord at his home in Holly Lake Ranch, with his children by his side. A graveside service was held Wednesday, May 18 at the Albany Cemetery.

John was born Jan. 9, 1936 in Cisco, Texas to Andrew and Leona Watson. He grew up in Albany, Texas and later attended Abilene Christian College, now Abilene Christian University. He was a Grand Purple Member of the Presidents Circle for the alumni since 1981.

By Sam Waller

Johnnie Hise and Arren Hawley were crowned queen and king at the Moran prom Saturday, May 7.

Moran principal Jo Hise said the prom, held at Moran Events Center, attracted most of the Moran High School student body in the final student-led social event of the school year.

“The majority of the high school students were present,” she said. “We had very few that didn’t attend. And the majority of them brought a guest, so we had a full house.”

By Sam Waller

Seven Moran High School students were inducted as charter members of the school’s chapter of the National Honor Society on Monday, May 9, at the Moran Events Center.

Seniors Hannah Rogers, Harmony Slaughter, and Johnnie Hise, juniors Emily Murk and Alayna Baker, and sophomores Caleb York and Terra Thompson were honored at the ceremony.

Moran superintendent Dr. John Denson said the chapter is looking toward several projects next year, but members still have time to provide service before the current school year ends.

By Sam Waller

Moran’s Alli Scott will make her second appearance at the Class 1A state track meet and is hopeful the experience gained last year will pay off.

A send-off for Scott, a junior, is scheduled for Friday afternoon at Moran High School.

Scott, who qualified for state in the 100 hurdles as a sophomore, will compete in three events Saturday, May 14 at Myers Stadium in Austin. Based on her regional finals results, Scott is seeded first in the 300 hurdles (47.52), fifth in the 100 hurdles (16.63), and sixth in the high jump (5-0).

By Donnie A. Lucas

Local high school athletes will be honored for their participation and achievements in sports for the 2021-2022 school year at the annual All-Sports Banquet scheduled for Tuesday, May 17 in the main gym at the high school.

The serving lines for the meal will start at 7:00 p.m., according to Albany Athletic Booster Club officer Amanda Tabor.

High school athletes will be recognized, and coaches will announce winners of various awards, including MVP honors and special memorial award winners.

By Sam Waller

Albany finished fifth out of 12 in the team standings in their first appearance since 1994 at the state golf tournament.

The tournament was played Monday-Tuesday, May 9-10 at Lions Golf Course in Austin.

Albany shot a team score of 358-352–710 to move up a spot in the final round. The Lions were among seven teams to improve on their first-round score.

“We shaved six strokes off our team score,” coach Tate Thompson said. “We ended up catching Forsan and beating them by one stroke, but couldn’t quite catch Hamilton for fourth.”

By Sam Waller

The Albany Lions took the first step in the Class 2A baseball playoffs last week, sweeping their bi-district series against Winters at Abilene Cooper.

The Lions (15-4) won the series opener 11-4 on Friday, May 6, then completed the sweep with a 12-0 victory in Game 2 on Saturday, May 7.

“We had a great weekend,” coach David Fairchild said. “The boys were focused and played well.”