By Sam Waller

The Albany Ministerial Alliance will conduct local observance of the National Day of Prayer at noon Thursday, May 4 at Bank Park.

The theme for this year’s event, chosen by the NDP task force, is “Pray Fervently in Righteousness and Avail Much,” based on James 5:16.

Pastor Brad McBee of Albany’s First Christian Church said the local program will be much the same as past years.

“Anybody who wants to show up can offer a prayer for our nation and our leaders,” McBee said. “We need much prayer right now.”

By Sam Waller

The Feed Store will host an evening of praise and worship at 6:00 p.m. Sunday, April 30 to cele­brate the fifth Sunday of the month.

Organizer Kyle Viertel said the the program will include a number of songs, a spoken word message, and possibly a time to share testimony.

“The plan is that musicians – instrumentalists, singers, sound technicians and technical people – are invited to participate in a community worship,” Viertel said.

By Sam Waller

For nearly four decades, Polo on the Prairie has raised millions of dollars for cancer research and patient programs at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Research Center.

The 37th edition of the annual event, which will be held Saturday, April 29 at the Musselman Brothers’ Lazy 3 Ranch, has already sold out with more than $1 million raised.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Anyone who would like to add a veteran’s name to the veterans memorial marker located on the Shackelford County Courthouse square needs to contact Mary Kay O’Connor by Monday, May 15.

O’Connor said she has not had anyone contact her about additions to the marker this year, but she will take information until the deadline to give to the engraver.

She added that she hopes to have any new names listed in time for Memorial Day on Monday, May 29.

By Sam Waller

With prom season in full swing, Sweet Repeats Ministry  is again offering free use of formal attire for people in Shackelford County and the surrounding area.

An offshoot of Closet Angels, Sweet Repeats is operated by Tammy McBee out of First Christian Church, 201 S. Walnut St.

McBee said the variety of dresses and menswear covers a wide range.

“Dresses go from extra small to 4X,” McBee said. “For men, we have tuxedoes, two-piece and three-piece suits, slacks, and jackets.”

By Sam Waller

The Albany Junior High tennis program’s intrasquad tournament was pushed back a week to Thursday, April 27 (today), as coach M.J. Reneau prepared for the state tournament.

The junior high program will play its district tournament Thursday-Friday, May 4-5, at Abilene’s Rose Park Tennis Center.

“Girls will be one day and boys will be the other, but we don’t really know which is which yet,” Reneau said. “And we’ll probably just stick to doubles.”

By Sam Waller

For the second time during the spring semester, Moran ISD encountered a security situation.

According to the Shackelford County Sheriff’s Office dispatch report, shots were reported to have been heard near the Moran City Park on Tuesday, April 11, with the school going into a “soft lockdown” until given clearance.

Moran superintendent Dr. John Denson termed the situation at the school as a “hold” with students remaining in their classrooms.

By Sam Waller

Three Moran students will compete Saturday, April 22, at the Region II-1A academic meet at Angelo State University.

Terra Thompson qualified in Computer Science, Tyler Waddell advanced in Social Studies and Ellis Hise is entered in Mathematics.

The top three finishers in each advance at regional qualify for the state academic meet, Wednesday-Thursday, May 17-18, at Austin.

FFA News

Moran FFA students took part in district and area contests last week with the meat judging team just missing a state berth.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Six Albany High School students will compete in the Region II-2A UIL Academic Meet on Friday at Grayson College in Denison.

Five of the qualifiers are entered in journalism events, with one student advancing to the regional level in computer science.

The students qualified for the regional level contest by placing in the top three at the district meet held in Stamford in March.

By Sam Waller

A few changes were made for the 2024 Shackelford Youth and Livestock Show on Tuesday, April 11 at the Shackelford Youth and Livestock Association’s annual meeting.

Shackelford County extension agent Kelsey Bell said slight changes were made to the commercial steer class, which made its debut at the 2023 show in January, as well as to how swine will be classified.

The Association also approved the purchase of a photo backdrop for exhibitors to pose in front of with their animals.