By Sam Waller

The field for the Albany Golf Club’s annual Labor Day Golf Tournament was about half full earlier this week, giving those interested in playing two more weeks to sign up.

As of Monday, Aug. 14, 28 of 60 spots had been spoken for.

The two-person scramble is scheduled for Saturday-Sunday, Sept. 2-3 at Albany Golf Course.

By Sam Waller

Injury kept Ryan Mark from having the kind of season he wanted in 2022, at Austin College, but it didn’t keep him from earning postseason academic honors.

Mark, a 2022 Albany graduate, saw no playing time as a freshman because of shoulder and back injuries. As he goes through this year’s preseason football camp with the Kangaroos, he’s looking to put into practice lessons learned.

By Sam Waller

Lauren Peacock has been named to coach Albany’s cross country program in the wake of Donnie Hart’s sudden resignation.

Albany ISD athletic director Ryder Peacock said the appointment is just for the season, and the school district will continue to search for a new coach for girls basketball, which Hart was also supposed to coach.

Lauren Peacock conducted her first workout with the team Friday, Aug. 11.

By Sam Waller

The Clear Fork Ranch team, which included three Shackelford County residents, took first place Saturday, Aug. 12 at the Big Bend Youth Ranch Rodeo in Alpine.

The win qualified Clear Fork Ranch for the Working Ranch Cowboy Association youth championship, scheduled for Nov. 11 in Amarillo. This is the third year the WRCA has contested a youth division in conjunction with its adult competition.

By Sam Waller

Moran ISD began the second week of classes as projects that will change the look of the campus got underway.

A new floor is being installed in the gym and a security fence is being erected on school grounds.

Superintendent Dr. John Denson said the gym project began Monday, Aug. 14, with workers removing the old floor. The project is expected to be completed in three weeks.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Certified taxable values for each taxing entity in Shackelford County were announced recently, with an overall increase slowing to 3.2 percent for the county compared to almost eight percent last year.

The total taxable value for the county increased by about $19.5 million from $609,696,295 in 2022 to $629,191,588, according to figures released by the Shackelford County Appraisal District last week.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Just over 70 percent of expected Albany ISD students were registered for the new school year as of Monday, and officials are urging parents to complete the process online or by calling for an appointment at either campus to complete registration.

By Melinda L. Lucas

The Old Jail Art Center’s summer camps are wrapping up with the two-day puppet workshop earlier this week on Tuesday and Wednesday, followed by an “Under the Sea” experience on Friday, Aug. 11.

Students in grades 1-3 will spend a “sea-riously fun day” on some  aquatic crafts and games inspired by ocean life from the museum’s collection.

All four of the OJAC in-person sessions were well-attended, according to education director Erin Whitmore.

Bios of new staff members, along with faculty assignments and school supply lists, are included in the special back-to-school section in this week’s issue.

There are also articles about vaccination requirements, elementary “meet the teacher” night, and orientation for new junior high and high school students.

See Section C for details.

By Melinda L. Lucas

This year’s state sales tax holiday is set for Friday, Aug. 11 through Sunday, Aug. 13.

The law exempts sales tax on qualified items – such as clothing, footwear, school supplies, and backpacks – priced below $100, saving shoppers about eight dollars on every $100 they spend.

Apparel and school supplies that may be purchased tax-free are listed on the Comptroller’s website at texastaxholiday.org.