After earning top honors at regionals, Albany sophomore Kylee Bennett will make her state debut at the UIL Academic Meet in Austin next week.

Bennett won the gold medal in news writing at the Region II Academic Meet last month to qualify. The top three places in each event at the regional contest advance to the state meet.

She will compete Monday morning, May 19, on the campus of the University of Texas. Results will be announced at the UIL awards ceremony at 7 p.m. that evening.

Albany High School senior Myleigh Leveridge has signed with Cisco College to join the school’s cheerleading program, becoming the first AHS cheerleader in more than a decade to continue the sport at the collegiate level.

Leveridge received a call from the Cisco College cheer coach on Wednesday, April 30, and quickly scheduled a campus visit. After touring the school and trying out on May 5, she was officially offered a spot on the team—along with a scholarship—later that same day.

She will begin daily practices with the team on Monday, August 18.

Nancy Smith Elementary School will host its annual field day Friday, May 16, beginning at 8:15 a.m. at the Albany High School track. The event will conclude before early dismissal at noon, due to scheduled baseball playoff games that afternoon.

Elementary PE teacher Makinzie Tomascik, who is coordinating the event, said the field day will open with “a quick and fun surprise” from teachers before student events begin.

The Albany ISD band program will present its annual spring concert Thursday, May 15, at 6 p.m. in the Albany High School gymnasium.

Director of bands Jessica Watkins said this year’s format will feature three groups – sixth grade, seventh grade, and high school – set up in one large band. Each group will perform individually, and all will join together to close the concert with a combined piece.

The sixth grade band will perform “Bandroom Boogie” and “Big Beat Boogie.” 

Today marks the 150th anniversary of The Albany News—a milestone few newspapers, especially in small towns, have the privilege of reaching. For a century and a half, this paper has chronicled the lives, stories, struggles, and celebrations of Albany and Shackelford County.

By Melinda L. Lucas

After being rained out in April, the 18th annual Albany Classic Car Show is getting a second shot this Saturday, May 10 – and organizers are ready to roll.

Volunteer coordinator Robert Snyder remains optimistic about the rescheduled event. 

“We’re hoping for the kind of weather that makes classic car owners want to get out and show off their rides,” Snyder said. “If it rains again, I’ll keep start asking local ranchers for donations – guaranteed tank water!”

By Melinda L. Lucas

Albany High School juniors, seniors, and their guests stepped into the spotlight Saturday night, May 3, as they gathered at the Whitney Theatre for Prom 2025, themed “Hollywood Nights.”

The evening featured a red carpet entrance, a 360-degree photo booth complete with Hollywood props, and a golden balloon backdrop perfect for photos. DJ Oscar Beall kept the dance floor alive while local photographer Chelsea Parsons captured memories throughout the night.

With summer around the corner, preparations for the 87th annual Fort Griffin Fandangle are shifting into gear. Rehearsals for the 2025 production will begin Monday, May 12, welcoming both returning cast members and newcomers ready to join the long-running community tradition.

Practices will take place at the Prairie Theater, with rehearsals scheduled three evenings a week throughout May. Each night will focus on different scenes and musical numbers to give all participants an opportunity to get involved.

By David H. Waller

Albany recorded 6.26 inches of rainfall in April, making it the wettest April in nearly a decade and more than doubling the town’s historical average of 2.81 inches for the month. This year’s total is the highest April rainfall since 2016, when 6.81 inches were recorded, and ranks as the second-wettest April since 2002, when 6.43 inches fell. The 2025 total marks a rare high in recent decades, standing out from many drier years.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Two Albany High School seniors were awarded scholarships from Closet Angels last weekend in a brief announcement ceremony Sunday after church at the ministry’s building.

Chosen as recipients because of their service over the past few years were Carisa Barrera and Riley Mae Reames.