By Sam Waller

Eddie and Debbie Hanks of Seymour will conduct a Bluegrass gospel service Sunday, March 26 at Albany Methodist Church.

The Hankses have been performing together as part of Hanks & Company along with Klint Trammell and Stephen Foster. The group plays for churches and a variety of events in need of a traditional bluegrass sound with a positive, uplifting message.

Hazel Heidecker, wife of AMC pastor Bob Heidecker, said the Hankses offer a message of faith backed by Bluegrass music.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Albany High School band members will attempt to earn a second straight Sweepstakes Award next Tuesday, March 28 at the concert and sight reading contest in Abilene.

The band will take the stage at 10:00 a.m. at Coop­er High School to present the concert selections, followed at 10:30 p.m. with the sight reading contest.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Several members of the Albany FCCLA chapter will compete at the State Leadership Conference in Dallas set for March 31 through April 2.

Two of the parliamentary procedure teams placed at the regional conference to qualify for the state meet, and two two-person projects also advanced.

In addition, one of the chapter’s online contests has advanced straight to the national conference to be held in Denver in July.

By Sam Waller

Project Graduation is in the process of sending out letters to solicit contributions for this year’s graduation night party.

Project Graduation coordinator Amanda Tabor said letters are being mailed to local businesses and past donors, with several types of donations accepted.

By Sam Waller

The Moran Independent School District board voted unanimously at its Monday, March 20, meeting to accept the proposed calendar for the 2023-24 school year, continuing the district’s four-day school week.

Superintendent Dr. John Denson said the four-day week has been quickly accepted within the district.

“We took comments from every teacher,” Denson said. “They were able to tell us confidentially whether they liked it or not, and there was zero against it. Everybody liked the way it worked this year.”

By Sam Waller

Albany FFA students wrapped up their participation at the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo, and now turn their attention to Star of Texas in Austin.

“Albany FFA had a great showing at the 2023 Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo,” chapter adviser Chris Beard said. “Congratulations to all exhibitors.”

In the cattle show, Hattie Braly took first place with her Red Angus steer, earning the breed’s lightweight champion title.

Gracie Price placed first with her Maine-Anjou heifer and finished as the breed’s reserve champion junior heifer.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Basic information about scholarships being awarded to this year’s graduating class at Albany High School is needed by the first part of next week.

Ann Riley at the AHS office needs to update her list of available scholarships and requirements and would like to be contacted by the end of the day on Monday, March 27.

Representatives of scholarship boards can email Riley at ariley@albany.esc14.net or call her at 325-762-3974.

By Melinda L. Lucas

No action was taken other than approving the minutes and bills during a brief meeting of the Shackelford County Hospital District’s board of directors on Monday, March 20.

The session was closed for half of the 40-minute time frame to discuss “EMS personnel,” but no motions were made when the meeting was reopened to the public.

EMS and clinic reports were heard during the meeting but required no action.

By Melinda L. Lucas

With all five council members present, Albany city officials worked through four major agenda items at this week’s monthly meeting, including approval of a fire department request to purchase a $220,000 truck with donated funds.

A 2023-2024 budget totaling $3,703,700 passed unanimously, prior to the city’s new fiscal year which begins April 1.

Also accepted was the 2021-2022 audit report and an updated capital improvements budget presented by city manager Billy Holson.

“New” AVFD Vehicle

By Donnie A. Lucas

Albany ISD students and staff are out of school this week for the spring break holidays but will all return to the classroom on Monday, March 20.

Classes will resume at normal times on Monday, with the elementary classes starting at 7:55 a.m. and the secondary school following at 8:00 a.m.

Students and staff will be off again for Good Friday, April 7 and the Monday following Easter on April 10.

Both holidays were designated as bad weather days on the school calendar, and three school days were missed in January due to icy weather.