Summer sports camps conducted by Albany coaches continue the next two weeks with basketball and volleyball camps.

The All-Sports Camp was held earlier this week. 

Registration with QR codes and contact information for the remaining two camps is available on Lauren Peacock’s and M.J. Reneau’s Facebook pages.

The Albany Basketball Camp is scheduled for Monday-Tuesday, June 2-3 at the Albany gym. The camp is open to boys and girls who will be entering kindergarten through seventh grade.

By Melinda L. Lucas

The Shackelford County Library’s annual summer story hour returns next week, offering preschool and early elementary children a fun and educational opportunity to explore the world of animals through stories, crafts, and live demonstrations.

The 2025 program kicks off Tuesday, June 3 at 10 a.m. and will continue every Tuesday throughout the month of June. 

This year’s theme is Animals, and each session will feature a different animal guest and a coordinating craft.

FINDING REST BY TAKING ON A YOKE                                                                      

Marlyn Pratt

Marlyn Pratt, 78 of Granbury, passed away surrounded by her loved ones on Saturday, May 17, 2025. Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 24th at First Baptist Church in Albany with Cody Lain officiating. Interment followed in the Albany Cemetery under the direction of Morehart Mortuary. 

Barbara Galbreath

Barbara Galbreath, 70 of Albany passed away Monday morning, May 26 after a long-protracted illness. She was surrounded by family and friends as she went into the arms of her Savior at Hendrick Medical Center in Abilene, Texas.

Memorial service will be held at the Methodist Church in Albany, Texas Saturday, May 31st at 1:00 p.m. Memorial service under the direction of Girdner Funeral Home with Tim Trimble officiating.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Albany Little League concluded its 2025 regular season last week, with teams in both the Majors and Minors divisions now turning their attention to postseason play in the District 5 Little League tournament.

Reds, Indians Take League Titles

In the Majors division, the Reds, led by coach Joe Tidwell, posted an impressive 11-1 record to capture the league championship. 

By Melinda L. Lucas

The Shackelford County Hospital District Board elected its officers Monday during a regular meeting, with Jason Price returning as president, James Breeden as vice president and new member Karin Cox as secretary.

The meeting began with a prayer led by Pastor Brad McBee and included the swearing-in of new and re-elected board members Jo Ann Estridge, Karin Cox, and Ami Davis for two-year terms and Mike Folsom for a one-year unexpired term. 

By Melinda L. Lucas

Forty-five Albany High School seniors will receive their diplomas Friday night, May 23, during commencement exercises scheduled for 7:00 p.m. in the high school gymnasium. The event marks the conclusion of the students’ high school careers and the beginning of their next chapter.

This year’s class is led by valedictorian Avery Everitt and salutatorian Holden Sanchez. Other honor graduates include William LeMay, John Birkla, Jonathan Coody, Ethan Green, Gabby Lopez, Macie Breeden, Benjamin Barwon, Kenzie Neve, and Ann Davis.

By David H. Waller

Matt Bellah was unanimously elected president of the Albany ISD Board of Trustees during Monday night’s regular meeting, stepping into leadership as the district looks ahead to major facility decisions and a possible bond election.

Bellah succeeds Robert Montgomery, who stepped down after serving as board president for the past seven years. Montgomery has been a member of the board for 27 years and will continue to serve as a trustee.

By David H. Waller

Three familiar faces from Albany will once again climb into their vintage station wagon and set out on a one-of-a-kind adventure this June as part of the annual Buffalo Run. Team Grease Worms—made up of Robert Snyder, Craig Winters, and Matt Birkla—will be driving a 1965 Ford Country Sedan in the 2025 event, which challenges teams to navigate hundreds of miles in low-budget vehicles, all while raising money for Camp Able in Buffalo Gap.