By Melinda L. Lucas

Nancy Smith Elementary School students are observing the nationally celebrated Read Across America this week, with several community “readers” returning to campus on Wednesday after a year’s absence due to COVID.

The National Education Association began Read Across America Day in 1998 in conjunction with the March 2 birthday of children’s author Dr. ­Seuss.

The year-round program focuses on motivating children and teens to read through events, partnerships, and reading resources that are about everyone, for everyone.

By Sam Waller

Entry deadline for an upcoming volleyball tournament sponsored by First Baptist Church’s youth group is Sunday, March 6.

Entry fee is $16 per person. Teams must have a team name and designate a team captain.

The double-elimination tournament will be held Saturday, March 12, at the Albany High School gym. Awards will be presented for first, second, and third place.

Proceeds will be used to send youth to church camp this summer.

By Sam Waller

Several local churches are planning special events in the weeks leading up to Easter Sunday, starting with Ash Wednesday services on March 2 of this week, as well as the Jesus of Nazareth Catholic Church’s annual fish fry this Friday evening.

Catholic Church

The local Catholic congregation will hold its annual Fry-Day Night Lenten Fish Fry on Friday, March 4.

This year, the event will be held at the Resource Care Youth Center at 84 N. Ave. B.

By Donnie A. Lucas

One of the Albany teams competing at the state championship for the Small Schools Academic Challenge took second place and earned a total of $3,250 in scholarship money.

Three Albany teams qualified to compete at the state meet held at the University of Mary Hardin Baylor in Belton last Sunday.

The team of Sarah Cotter, Jaylynn Roberts, and Wyatt Beard scored 37 points for second place.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The cast and crew of the Albany High School One-Act Play will present a public performance next Tuesday in the high school auditorium in preparation for the district contest set for the following day, Wednesday, March 9, in Haskell.

The local performance is set for 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 8, with the curtain going up at 6:00 p.m., according to OAP director Chanel Hayner.

The group is presenting “Tracks,” a drama by Peter Tarsi that is set on a subway platform with a group of people examining their lives as their fate hangs in the balance.

By Melinda L. Lucas

The March distribution pickup dates for the commodity food program will be Thursday, March 3 and Friday, March 4.

Families in Moran should pick up their food at Moran City Hall between 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, March 3.

Albany families who are eligible for the February food distribution program may pick up their food on Friday, March 4, from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. at the rear door of the JP office.

By Sam Waller

The second round of repairs to the Landreth Dam bridge has not yet started, and the bridge across Hubbard Creek on FM 601 remained open as of press time on Tuesday night, Shackelford County Precinct 2 commissioner Ace Reames said.

The second round of repairs was to have started Monday, Feb. 21, and take up to eight work days to complete with the bridge being closed to traffic during that time.

Reames said last week’s winter storm prevented the contractor from beginning work as planned and permanent repairs still had not commenced earlier this week.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The number of positive COVID-19 cases tested locally dropped to five last week out of the 15 tests administered.

The decrease in the number of tests was possibly impacted by local clinics being closed due to weather for two of the five days. However, the number of positive cases has been trending downward over the last month.

The three local testing sites reported a combined total of  13 positive test results from the 44 tests administered during the week of Feb. 14-18.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The Fort Griffin Fandangle Association has raised about half the funds needed for major repairs at the Prairie Theater, as well as improving sets, costumes, and the calliope, through a capital improvement drive that started in December.

While in the midst of the annual membership drive, the organization is also seeking additional funds for major improvements that do not include money donated through regular memberships or the sale of tickets.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Two Albany residents will be honored tonight at the biennial Albany Stars event set to start at 6:30 p.m. at the Aztec Theater.

There is no charge to attend the event, which will include hors d’oeurvres and water in the meeting room and on the patio after the awards are presented.

“Everyone is welcome to attend,” said Chamber manager Mary Beth Jones. “You don’t have to be a Chamber member to come help us celebrate our Albany Stars.”

The Chamber accepted nominations from the public, with a committee looking through the suggestions.