By Sam Waller

Albany FFA members continued their run at the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo last week with several placing.

Jake Hale earned a blue ribbon in the ag mech contest with his hydraulic hay trailer, his third in as many shows. The project also garnered blue ribbons at Fort Worth and San Angelo.

In Wave 2 of the livestock judging, Kenzie Neve placed second with her AOC steer and made the sale.

Creed Spencer placed 21st in his barrow class with a crossbred, while Ryan Turner also participated.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Grandparents Week and the annual PTO Book Fair are both set for next week, March 3-7, at Nancy Smith Elementary School, with NSES counselor Susie Beard inviting parents and grandparents to bring a lunch and buy a book or two.

There are online purchasing options as well, according to PTO officer Brandi Lehew.

PTO volunteers will provide golf carts to transport visitors from the front area of the school to the cafeteria, as well as back to their vehicles after lunch. 

Grandparents Week

By Melinda L. Lucas

Albany High School student Rowdy New performed in the Region 6 Solo and Ensemble contest at Wylie High School in Abilene last weekend, earning a Division I on his Class 3 bass clarinet solo.

New was the only Albany musician who competed, according to Albany director of bands Jessica Watkins.

Students can receive a rating of 1-5 with one being the best. 

New’s solo was “Menuet and Bouree” by Johann Hasse.

By Sam Waller

Moran Independent School District started this week with a safety drill to test security procedures.

During the drill, conducted Monday, Feb. 24, bells and lights in school buildings activated. Also, every computer screen on campus as well as the large screens in every classroom displayed explicit instructions. Different messages appear depending on the current drill or situation.

Last week in The Albany News Kids Corner, we asked the future leaders of Albany what they would do if they were mayor, and their responses did not disappoint. Some ideas were ambitious, aiming to transform the town in bold new ways. Others were practical, focused on improvements that would benefit the community. And then there were the downright entertaining ones—suggestions that might raise a few eyebrows but definitely bring a smile.

By David H. Waller

After 21 years of dedication to preserving and restoring the Fort Griffin Historic Site, the Friends of Fort Griffin organization is ceasing operations. Founded in 2004 by Cliff Teinert, Bill Cauble, Lester Galbreath, and Susan Waller, the nonprofit group played a critical role in maintaining and supporting one of Texas’ most historic frontier sites.

By David H. Waller

The Albany Mainstreet Playhouse (AMP) is putting the final touches on its production of Neil Simon’s Rumors, set to take the stage February 28, March 1, and March 2 at the Aztec Theater. With stage construction complete and props in place, the cast and crew are ready to bring this fast-paced comedy to life.

By David H. Waller

The Albany Chamber of Commerce held its annual membership meeting on Friday at the Icehouse, with over 30 people in attendance to discuss the Chamber’s progress and plans for 2025. The meeting included the election of new officers, with Tisha Wilkins named president, Jana Kitchens as vice president, Robin Balliew as treasurer, and Kyra Krause as secretary.

By Sam Waller

Albany FFA students wrapped up their participation at the San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo last week and now turn their attention to the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo.

In addition to steers and hogs being exhibited in San Antonio this week, Will LeMay, Jack Nail and Slayton Parsons were entered in roping events in the rodeo and Jake Hale was entered in the ag mechanics contest. Hale has already earned blue ribbons for his hydraulic hay trailer at Fort Worth and San Angelo.

By Melinda L. Lucas

There was a flurry of applicants filing for the Shackelford County Hospital Board before last week’s deadline, with a total of seven names to be on the ballot – six for the three two-year positions and one for an unexpired term.

There also ended up being four candidates for the Moran ISD board of trustees, with two seats available.