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.
By Melinda L. Lucas
Voters in Shackelford County cast ballots Saturday, May 3, to elect representatives for both county school boards and the hospital district, with contested races decided for Albany ISD, Moran ISD, and the Shackelford County Hospital District.
John Gallagher secured the Albany ISD Place 7 trustee seat with 191 votes, defeating challenger Teagan Brown, who received 57. Gallagher will replace Kim Fuentes, who resigned from that seat.
By Melinda L. Lucas
Shackelford County 4-H members selected new leadership for the upcoming year during their final meeting of the 2024-2025 program year, held Sunday afternoon, May 4.
Senior and junior officer teams were elected to lead the local youth organization through 2025-2026, with Landon Picquet tapped as senior president and Reese Nitschke chosen to head the junior officers.
By Melinda L. Lucas
Moran ISD has announced a full slate of activities as the school year winds down, including banquets, award ceremonies, graduations, and the annual Pre-K Roundup.
Pre-K Roundup will be held Thursday, May 8, from 1 to 4 p.m. in the high school auditorium. Parents of incoming students must bring a birth certificate, Social Security number, immunization record, proof of residence (such as a utility bill or lease), and a parent or guardian photo ID. For more information, contact the school at 325-945-3101 or email jtencate@moran.esc14.net.
By David H. Waller
Polo on the Prairie once again brought hundreds of supporters together Saturday at Rancho Verde, located between Albany and Breckenridge on Hubbard Creek Reservoir. The annual fundraiser, benefiting the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, marked its 39th year with what organizers believe was the largest crowd in the event’s history. This year’s event raised nearly $1 million for cancer care and research.
By David H. Waller
Organizers for CareFest have announced the lineup for the seventh annual event, set to take place on August 16. The benefit concert, which raises money for ResourceCare, will feature performances by Kevin Fowler, Stoney LaRue, Jason Boland, Cooder Graw, Carter Peaslee, and Yesterdaze Wine. Peaslee and Yesterdaze Wine lead singer Jared McLane are both past winners of CareFest’s Acoustic Showdown competition.
By Melinda L. Lucas
Albany High School recently announced honor students for the 2025 senior class, with Avery Everitt named valedictorian and Holden Sanchez salutatorian.
Nine other seniors were named as honor students as part of the top 25 percent of the class, which has 45 members.
Everitt, the daughter of Mark and Jennifer Everitt, has a four-year overall grade average of 104.078.
Sanchez has an overall GPA of 102.282. He is the son of Matthew and Heidi Sanchez.
By Melinda L. Lucas
An Albany High student qualified to advance to the UIL State Academic Meet in Austin after placing in the top three at the Region 2 Academic Meet in Denison last Friday.
A total of 10 local students advanced to the regional academic meet, which was held April 25-26 in Denison, with several placing in the top six and receiving medals.
Sophomore Kylee Bennett was the gold medalist in the News Writing contest to earn a return trip to the state meet.
By Melinda L. Lucas
Organizers are backed up and ready for a second attempt at the 18th annual Albany Classic Car Show Saturday, May 10 after the original April 19 date was rained out.
Volunteer Robert Snyder is hopeful that next Saturday will dawn as the kind of day that classic car owners will enjoy getting their vehicles out into.
