By Sam Waller

The Albany Lions, along with fellow state champion football teams from Hawley, Benjamin, and Westbrook, were honored Sunday, Jan. 22 at a reception hosted by the Big Country Athletic Hall of Fame at the Mall of Abilene.

Loraine players and coaches, who lost to Benjamin in the Class 1A Division II state game, were also recognized.

“It gave us a chance to talk about the game one more time,” Lions head coach Denney Faith said “We got to see some highlights, and a lot of people from the Big Country who didn’t get to go to the game congratulated our kids.”

By Sam Waller

The First Baptist Church youth group will hold a pancake supper Sunday Feb. 5 to raise money for church camp this summer.

Serving will start at 5:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall and last until sold out.

There will not be a set price, but donations will be accepted.

Drive-through service will be available.

“People can just park and place their order,” FBC youth minister Eduardo San Lucas said. “They don’t have to get out.”

By Donnie A. Lucas

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

The Moran Bulldogs and Lady Bulldogs basketball teams battled sickness and opponents last week with the situation continuing into this week.

The Lady Bulldogs hosted Cross Plains on Tuesday, Jan. 24, but the boys game was postponed to Wednesday, Jan. 25, because of too many players being out sick. Results will be reported next week.

Health issues forced Moran to forfeit games against Eula on Tuesday, Jan. 17.

On Friday, Jan. 20, the Lady Bulldogs lost 26-24 at home to Baird, while the boys lost 54-28.

Girls Basketball

Elia Hebel is among the students listed on the Dean’s List of Academic Honors for fall 2022 semester at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas. They are undergraduates who have achieved a grade point average of at least 3.5 out of a perfect 4.0 in all work attempted while enrolled in not less than 12 semester hours.

Elia is the daughter of Rose and Kirk Hebel.

By Sam Waller

Albany’s Judson Rogers caught a calf Tuesday, Jan. 17 during the calf scramble at the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo.

For his efforts, Rogers received a $500 certificate to purchase a registered beef or dairy heifer to be shown at next year’s Fort Worth show.

Two Albany students were recognized for their achievements at Tarleton State University for the fall 2022 semester.

Max Balliew was  commended for the outstanding academic achievement of earning a 4.0 GPA and making the President’s List for the Fall 2022 semester of Tarleton State College.

Balliew is majoring in Biomedical Science and is scheduled to graduate in May. He is the son of Candy and Tim Balliew.

Conner Clark earned a place on TSU’s Scholastic Honors Dean’s List.

By Sam Waller

Registration continues for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes’ Weekend of Champions leadership camps.

The camps for youth in eighth through 12th grades will be held at Eastland’s Solid Rock Camp. The girls camp will be held Saturday-Sunday, Feb. 4-5, with the boys camp following on Saturday-Sunday, Feb. 11-12.

Local FCA representative Paul Johnston, who will lead the girls camp, said that while there is no registration deadline, attendees are encouraged to sign up as early as possible.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The high school Winter Formal is set for Saturday at the Whitney Theatre from 7:30 to 10:00 p.m.

Sponsored by the Albany Student Council, the event is open only to high school students and guests who have been pre-approved.

The crowning of Mr. and Miss AHS will be held at 9:00 p.m., followed with presentation of the prince and princess for the freshmen, sophomore, and junior classes.

Tickets are available from the four class presidents in advance for $10, or can be purchased for $15 at the door.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Four members of the Shackelford County Hospital Board met long enough in open session to appoint a new director and take care of some routine business before closing the doors to discuss “board member conduct” for over an hour on Monday, Jan. 23.

Kraymer Harbold, who has been an Albany resident for several years, was appointed to fill a vacancy on the board on a motion by Jason Price, seconded by Mary Beth Jones.

“We almost didn’t have a quorum tonight, and I think it’s important to get someone in this vacant position,” said Price.