The Albany City Council met on March 17, addressing a range of topics, including approving fire department equipment purchases, discussing a solid waste rate increase, reviewing city financials, and approving the 2025-26 budget.
Fire Department
Equipment Approved
By David H. Waller
The Albany ISD Board of Trustees met on March 17 to review district performance, approve the 2025-26 school calendar, and discuss key issues including staffing updates, facility improvements, and upcoming events.
Testing Scores
By Melinda L. Lucas
After 15 years of dedicated service, Erin Whitmore is leaving her post later this spring as Education Director at The Old Jail Art Center to transition into a museum/visual art education role in the DFW area, with a special reception planned on March 22.
Whitmore began work in the museum’s education department in 2010, and was promoted to education director in 2012.
March Madness is underway, and The Albany News is inviting you to take part in our Bracket Challenge! Inside this week’s paper, you’ll find the full NCAA Men’s Tournament bracket to fill out and submit. We know some games have already been played, including the First Four (March 18-19) and some First Round matchups (March 20-21), but don’t worry—just consider those games as free points and keep going!
By Melinda L. Lucas
An unspecified “investment opportunity” for the Shackelford County Hospital District and also positioning the district’s Foundation Fund to earn more interest were two of the discussion’s during the regular monthly meeting of the board on Monday, March 17.
In addition, the directors again tabled finalizing a contract for EMS director Mateo Millan, which he has requested, after meeting with the district’s legal counsel in closed session.
District Investments
By Sam Waller
The Albany Lady Lions softball team was holding its own Tuesday, March 11 in its second District 8-2A outing before a freak accident brought the game to an early end.
Lady Lions pitcher Carisa Barrera was struck in the face by a line drive in the top of the fourth inning. The game was ended at that point with Hawley awarded a 9-6 win.
By Sam Waller
Albany’s Myleigh Leveridge placed third individually Monday, March 17 at the Hawley tournament, shooting 118 at Hawley Golf Club, while the Lions second boys team made improvement.
The first boys team played Wednesday, March 19 at the Jim Ned tournament at Shady Oaks Golf Course, site of the District 10-2A tournament. Albany will play Monday-Tuesday, March 24-25. The girls division plays Monday with the boys on Tuesday.
The district tournament is scheduled for Monday, March 31 and Tuesday, April 1.
By Sam Waller
Albany FFA’s Madalein Beard placed fourth over the weekend in the Junior Hereford Heifer at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.
The result continues a strong winter show season for Beard, who has placed well at several shows with heifers she exhibited at the Shackelford County Livestock Show.
Several Albany FFA and Shackelford County 4-H members are in Houston this week showing hogs.
4-H Notes
By Sam Waller
Moran FFA members Rayni Vinson and Bradee Stautzenberger continued enjoying success with their cattle at major stock shows.
Stautzenberger placed fourth in a class of 43 with her Beefmaster heifer last week at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo and showed a steer Monday, March 17, but it didn’t make the cut. Landon Herrell also showed a heifer at Houston.
By Sam Waller
Four Shackelford County cowboys participated on the top two teams Saturday, March 8 at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo’s Youth Ranch Rodeo.
Gatlin Wills and Jack Nail were members of the Creighton Ranch team, which won the event for the second year in a row. Slayton Parsons and Riggyn Saunders were part of the Texas Cattle Exchange team, which claimed the reserve champion title.
