By Donnie A. Lucas

A small contingent of just eight students kicked off the 2022 UIL academic season last Saturday in Haskell, with three journalism competitors bringing home awards.

Seniors Sarah Cotter and Ty Everitt both picked up a pair of medals at the contest, while junior Ashley Richards earned a first place.

“We actually had only eight kids attend the meet, which is a rough way to start the season,” UIL coordinator Rick Davis said. “There were conflicts with the local stock show on Saturday that kept several of our regular competitors from attending.”

By Sam Waller

General Education Development  (GED) classes have resumed with the start of the spring semester and are being held on  Mondays and Tuesdays at the Shackelford County Library.

Instructor Kenzie Fairchild said anyone interested in registering for classes may still do so. Registrants will need to bring an acceptable form of identification such as drivers license and Social Security card. The classes are open to students age 17 or older. Students who are 17 must have parental consent to register.

By Sam Waller

Project Graduation has two fundraising projects going through the end of January.

Organizer Kenzie Fairchild said orders for the Valentine’s Sale should be turned in on Monday, Jan. 31. Orders may be place with any Albany senior.

A chicken spaghetti takeout lunch is still planned for Sunday, Jan. 30. Lunches will be served to go from 11:30 a.m. until sold out at The Feed Store. There is no set charge for the meals, but donations will be accepted.

Fairchild said a decision on more projects will be made after the end of the month.

By Sam Waller

Registration is ongoing for the upcoming youth baseball and softball seasons season with information available at Nancy Smith Elementary School.

Albany Little League

Albany Little League organizer Paul Hamilton said the baseball program is shifting to online registration this year, but information on how to register will be available through the school.

Registration deadline for Little League Majors and Minors, Intermediate, and Junior leagues will be Feb. 11.

Competition is also offered in T-Ball and Coach Pitch age groups.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Lions football team will be presented bronze medals for reaching the 2021 state semifinals of the Class 2A Division II playoffs in a cere­mony at 6:00 p.m. Friday, Jan. 28, at the high school gym. The brief ceremony will take place prior to the varsity basketball games against Hamlin.

The University Interscholastic League presents gold and silver medals to members of the state champion and runner-up teams on the field at the state final in December. Both teams that lose in the semifinals receive bronze medals.

By Sam Waller

Nearly 70 players have registered to participate in Albany Little Dribblers, showing significant growth in the girls division.

League organizer Joe Tidwell said 42 girls and 24 boys are registered for the program, which is open to boys and girls age eight through fourth grade.

The number of girls signed up led to the formation of six teams, leaving Tidwell to figure out a workable schedule.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The annual Pinewood Derby competition for local Cub Scouts has been rescheduled for Monday, Jan. 31 at the Scout Hut.

Originally set for this past Monday, the event was moved to next week due to a schedule conflict.

Several Scouts are expected to participate in the event.

Check-in will begin at 5:30 p.m. with races starting at 6:00 p.m.

For more information about the derby, contact Cubmaster Jacey Shack at 325-762-0006.

By Sam Waller

Moran ISD officials are taking a visual approach in helping students prepare for state-mandated testing.

Superintendent Dr. John Denson said a data room has been established to better chart student progress.

“We’ve got a secure room where we can put all our students’ progress on the walls to help them prepare for the STAAR tests,” Denson said. “It helps us figure out the individual needs of each student. We can determine if a student needs more help in reading, while another might need extra time in math.”

By Melinda L. Lucas

Pick-up dates for the February distribution of the commodity food program will be Thursday, Feb. 3 and Friday, Feb. 4.

Eligible families in Moran should pick up their monthly commodity food at the Moran City Hall between 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 3.

Albany families can pick up on Friday, Feb. 4, from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. at the rear door of the JP office.

Families are reminded to complete a 2022 application to apply for the 2022 program when they pick up their food.

By Donnie A. Lucas

A rapid increase in the number of positive COVID-19 test results last week, along with the Shackelford County Health Clinic having to close for a day and a half at the end of the week, led Albany school officials to cancel classes last Friday.

The number of positive test results reached a one-week high last week with 116 positive results from the 235 tests administered locally, according to the weekly update issued by the county judge on Tuesday.