By Melinda L. LucasA crowd of almost 350 students, parents and staff attended the annual Academic Banquet on Monday to honor academic excellence of students in a variety of activities including Academic UIL events, journalism, band, FFA, one-act play and FCCLA.

A packed crowd filled the Albany City Council meeting Monday night as dozens of residents, pastors, and visitors urged city leaders to pass an ordinance declaring Albany a “Sanctuary City for the Unborn.

By Melinda L. LucasFollowing a postponement a month ago due to rain, the second consecutive year for that to happen, the 18th annual Albany Classic Car Show went off without a hitch last weekend under clear skies and fair temperatures.

Shackelford County commissioners voted Monday to table a proposed easement agreement from FiberLight, LLC regarding a 60’ x 60’ area at the Law Enforcement Center, citing errors and unresolved questions in the contract.

By Melinda L. LucasThe City of Albany will hold its annual spring cleanup day this Saturday and Sunday, May 17-18, offering residents a chance to dispose of large and small unwanted items ahead of the summer’s visitor season.

By Melinda L. LucasAlbany Independent School District will host a retirement celebration Tuesday, May 20, from 4 to 5 p.m. at the Nancy Smith Elementary School library, 741 Griffin Road, to honor four longtime educators. The public is invited to attend.

After earning top honors at regionals, Albany sophomore Kylee Bennett will make her state debut at the UIL Academic Meet in Austin next week.Bennett won the gold medal in news writing at the Region II Academic Meet last month to qualify.

Albany High School senior Myleigh Leveridge has signed with Cisco College to join the school’s cheerleading program, becoming the first AHS cheerleader in more than a decade to continue the sport at the collegiate level.

Nancy Smith Elementary School will host its annual field day Friday, May 16, beginning at 8:15 a.m. at the Albany High School track. The event will conclude before early dismissal at noon, due to scheduled baseball playoff games that afternoon.

The Albany ISD band program will present its annual spring concert Thursday, May 15, at 6 p.m. in the Albany High School gymnasium.Director of bands Jessica Watkins said this year’s format will feature three groups – sixth grade, seventh grade, and high school – set up in one large band.