By Sam WallerWhile the state-wide outlook for the spring turkey season is a little brighter than last year, prospects for Shackelford County are still down.“It’s very poor,” game warden Jacob Mort said. “I know a lot of people are not allowing lease hunters to come.

By Melinda L. LucasDates for state-required testing for both elementary and secondary students have been pushed back in the school year by about two weeks, with both STAAR and end-of-course (EOC) tests administered during April and May.

By Melinda L. LucasPick-up dates for the April distribution of the commodity food program will be Thursday, April 13 and Friday, April 14.The date was pushed back from the usual first full week schedule because of the Easter weekend.

By Sam WallerAlbany churches are celebrating the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ this week with a full slate of Easter services.In addition to Easter Sunday on April 9, services are being held by several congregations for Maundy Thursday and Good Friday.

By Donnie A. LucasBoth Parliamentary Procedure teams competing for the Albany FFCLA chapter took first place at the State Leadership Conference in Dallas last weekend, qualifying them to advance to the National Conference in Denver in July.

By Melinda L. LucasA blood drive is scheduled to take place in Albany next Friday, April 14.Regular donors are asked to remember that the dates have changed in 2023 from Thursdays to Fridays.Scheduled for roughly eight-week intervals, the rest of this year’s blood drives are planned on June 9, Aug.

By Melinda L. LucasMembers of the Albany Volunteer Fire Department elected new officers during a regular meeting on Monday, April 3.Joel Viertel will serve as Chief, while Jeff Hill will remain as Assistant Chief and Casey Kimbrough as Lieutenant. Cyrena Viertel was elected as secretary/treasurer.

By Sam WallerAn offhand remark has resulted in Albany resident Zach Harmon becoming a published author.Harmon’s novella “The Top of the Stairs” is now available on Amazon. It is his first published work.“It’s a supernatural noir piece of fiction,” Harmon said.

By Melinda L. LucasAnother annual Albany Classic Car Show is gearing up for Saturday, April 15 in downtown Albany, with the public urged to come view dozens of vintage cars and trucks from around the Big Country.

By Melinda L. LucasAlbany ISD staff and students will be off both Friday, April 7 and Monday, April 10 for a four-day Easter weekend.Younger students at Nancy Smith Elementary School had Easter egg hunts planned this week.Students will be released at their regular times Thursday, April 6 (today).