The Albany Lions Club will sponsor a free preliminary vision screening event called “Sight For All” in the Friendship Baptist Church’s Activity Building from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 29.

The vision screening is open to ages 2 and older, checking for need of glasses, lazy eye, cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy.

By Melinda L. Lucas

The staff of the Lions Roar, the student newspaper for Albany High School, won an 18th consecutive Star Award, as well as three Tops in Texas honors and over 40 individual achievement citations at the annual Interscholastic League Press Conference in Austin last weekend.

The state-level convention for middle and high school journalism students was held on the campus of the University of Texas and includes workshops and the announcing of awards for the current school year.

By Sam Waller

First Baptist Church youth ministry has added a pie-in-the-face fundraiser to its list of spring activities to raise money for summer church camp.

The event will be held Sunday, May 7 at FBC following a pulled pork sandwich lunch event.

Youth minister Eduardo San Lucas said those nominated to catch a pie in the face will have cans into which money is deposited.

Renee Morrow, age 57 of Abilene, passed away Wednesday, April 5, 2023. A celebration of life was held Monday, April 17 at the Seabee Park Pavilion (6525 West Lake Rd., Abilene, Texas 79601). Arrangements have been entrusted to Morehart Mortuary.

Renee Lynette Link was born June 24, 1965 in San Antonio, Texas to Ernest Earl Link and Shirley Ann Kelly Link. She worked as a maintenance woman for several years until her retirement. Renee loved fishing, spending time with her family and was a heck of a handy woman.

Drexel Gilstrap, age 64 of Pecos, passed away Tuesday, Apr. 18, 2023. Services are pending and will be announced at a later date. Arrangements have been entrusted to Morehart Mortuary.

Former students of Texas A&M University and friends from Throckmorton, Stephens and Shackelford Counties will assemble on April 21, 2023 for the annual Texas    Muster to honor all Texas Aggies who have passed away within the last year.

The event will begin with a social hour from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m., followed by the meal and Muster Ceremony, at Double D Grill, 801 N Minter Ave., in Throckmorton.  All former and current students, their families, and friends of Texas A&M University are invited to attend.

By Sam Waller

On Friday, April 14, Moran will hold classes as a makeup day after two days of school were cancelled because of bad weather in February.

The second makeup day will be Friday, May 12.

Test Time

Moran ISD will begin conducting state-mandated testing Monday, April 24, continuing through Wednesday, May 10.

By Sam Waller

The Moran track and field teams had their final competition before district on Thursday, April 6 at Hermleigh’s Wind Energy Relays.

Moran athletes are competing Thursday, April 13 (today) at the District 13-1A meet at May. Running prelims are scheduled to start at 10:15 a.m. with field events getting underway at 1:00 p.m. Running finals will start at 4:00 p.m.

At Hermleigh, the Lady Bulldogs finished ninth in the team standings with 40 points, while the Moran boys tied for 13th with half a point.

By Sam Waller

Moran High School inducted four new members into its chapter of the National Honor Society in a ceremony held Tuesday, April 4 at the Moran Events Center.

New members are seniors Alyssa Allred and Samantha Hinkle, junior Tyler Hail, and sophomore Ellis Hise.

The chapter was started last spring with seven students, including two members of this year’s junior class.

Former Albany superintendent and Moran student Carroll Tatom of Abilene, 93, passed away on April 2, 2023 after a long struggle with Alzheimer’s disease.

Tatom attended schools in the communities of Union, Putnam, and Moran, graduating from Putnam High School in 1946. He attended John Tarleton Agricultural College in 1946-47, then graduated from Daniel Baker College of Southwestern University in Brownwood, Texas, in 1950 with a degree in School Administration and Physical Education.