By Sam Waller

The Albany youth basketball teams tipped off their season Saturday, Jan. 7, winning five of eight games.

The boys teams played at Jim Ned with the girls at Hawley. The sixth grade boys won both their games, while the other teams each split their two outings.

The youth teams return to action Saturday with the girls playing at Jim Ned and the boys at Merkel. The sixth grade girls start the action at 9:00 a.m. against Hawley Maroon and then play Jim Ned Blue at noon. The fifth grade girls play Merkel Purple at noon and Merkel White at 1:00 p.m.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Lady Lions picked up their first District 10-2A win last week, taking a step forward in the progress that was begun a year ago.

The Lady Lions (8-12 overall, 1-4 district) faced a stiff test Tuesday, Jan. 10 when they hosted reigning district and regional champion Stamford, losing 60-24. Details will be reported next week.

Albany visits Anson on Friday, Jan. 13 to close out the first half of the district schedule. They will then travel down Highway 6 to Cisco to kick off the second half of district on Tuesday, Jan. 17.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Lions claimed 10 spots on the Texas Hometown Football Class 2A Division II all-state team, including three by one player, after winning the program’s first state championship since 1961.

The all-state team was selected by the Texas Hometown Football Facebook page, which is devoted to promoting Texas UIL Class 1A, 2A, and 3A high school football, bands, and cheerleaders.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Lions returned from the holiday break last week to win twice by comfortable margins, evening their district record in the process.

Albany (now 6-2 overall, 2-1 District 10-2A) defeated Hamlin 66-29 on Tuesday, Jan. 3 in its first district road game, then topped Coleman 48-35 on Friday, Jan. 6 at home in the final nondistrict contest.

The Lions resumed district play Tuesday, Jan. 10, with a 56-47 win over Stamford at home. Details will be reported next week.

Albany visits Anson on Friday, Jan. 13.

Tyler Beard graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agribusiness from Tarleton State University on Dec. 5, 2022.

Tyler graduated magna cum laude with an overall average of 3.9 GPA. A 2020 graduate of Albany High School, Beard is the son of Chris and Susie Beard of Albany.

By Sam Waller

The Shackelford Youth and Livestock Association is soliciting donations to help fund the 2023 county stock show.

Association president Bronco Askew said fundraising letters have been sent out, and board members are in the process of personally contacting prospective donors.

By Sam Waller

Shackelford County 4-H members continued preparations for the upcoming county livestock show with approximately 30 club members helping clean at the show barn Monday, Jan. 9 as their community service project for the month.

“Our job was sweeping the bleachers and sidewalks,” Shackelford County extension agent Kelsey Bell said. “We swept under the rabbit pens, picked up all the trash and cleaned the bathrooms. It went pretty quick with that many hands helping.”

By Sam Waller

Local beef producers have an opportunity to learn how to better manage wildlife and hunting on their land Friday, Jan. 13 as Shackelford County extension agent Kelsey Bell hosts a continuing education program at the Courthouse.

Registration for Managing Wildlife as a Beef Producer begins at 8:00 a.m. in the Shackelford County courtroom on the second floor of the Courthouse. Registration is $20 per person. Bell said no RSVP is required.

The family of LaVerrel Floyd Dennis Pittman would like to thank those who facilitated her memorial service at First Baptist Church, including mother’s pastor and friend John Tunnell, Kyle Viertel, Carolyn Hill, Kevin Hill, Myra Hise and the ladies that prepared and served the food for the family and friends.

By Sam Waller

Local churches have resumed their regular schedules now that the holidays have passed.

Wednesday night programs at First Baptist and  Friendship Baptist churches returned this week.

First Baptist Church

First Baptist’s Jesus and Me (JAM) children’s ministry and youth programs for junior high and high school students resumed Wednesday, Jan. 11.

“Wednesday nights are back to normal,” FBC’s Lori Schooler said. “We started this week with JAM. We’re so excited get going again.”