By Donnie A. Lucas

The Ragin’ Red Band traveled to Amarillo Saturday to compete in what is thought to be the first time in school history at the UIL Area Marching Contest.

While the band did not make the finals of the top 10 bands, the experience is considered very important.

“It was a good trip and a great learning experience for everyone,” director William Vaughan said. “The kids got to see the best bands in 2A in the state, and now they understand what it takes for the next level of competition.”

By Donnie A. Lucas

The Albany Jr./Sr. High Student Council was busy collecting money for a community-wide cause on Sunday, and members are also planning a blood drive for next Wednesday, Nov. 10 at the high school. 

About 20 members of the council gathered to go trick or treating on Sunday, but instead of just candy, they were collecting donations for the Albany Chest.

The group raised what is thought to be a record amount of $1,423, going door to door dressed in their Halloween finery.

By Sam Waller

Students from Albany and Cross Plains spent last month collecting food in a friendly competition between the school districts with results to be announced during Friday’s football game between the two high schools.

“We did a battle of the schools,” said Resource Care programs assistant Ragan Riley, who organized the drive. “Each school collected canned goods starting Oct. 1 and ending Nov. 1. They had a month to collect as much food as they could.”

Riley said the collected food will be contributed to each community’s local food bank.

By Donnie A. Lucas

About 100 runners clad in black attire scattered across Albany last Saturday for the 24th annual “Running Man”  sponsored by the Feed Store.

The junior class won the event, with all 13 of their runners returning to home base at The Feed store without being caught by spotlighters.

By Sam Waller

Students at Albany Junior/Senior High School and Nancy Smith Elementary School concluded Red Ribbon Week with the announcement of contest winners from both campuses.

The campaign educates students and the general public about drug and alcohol abuse.

At the Junior/Senior High campus, second-period classes decorated doors, with the classes of Rod Britting and Chanel Hayner tying for first place. Jamie Wilson’s class finished second, and Melanie Turner’s class took third.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Pick-up dates for the November distribution of the commodity food program will be Thursday, Nov. 4 and Friday, Nov. 5.

Certified families in Moran should pick up their monthly commodity food at the Moran City Hall between 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. on Nov. 4. 

Albany families who have been certified as eligible for the November food distribution program may pick up their food the following day from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the rear door of the JP office. 

By Donnie A. Lucas

All veterans in Shackelford County are invited to join local students for a Veterans Day celebration on Thursday, Nov. 11 at the high school gym.

The event will start at 11:00 a.m. with several special patriotic musical presentations, according to organizer Ann Riley.

“I sent over 90 invitations to veterans or spouses of deceased veterans,” Riley said. “I think they have a really good program planned, and we hope that the community will join us to thank our veterans.”

By Melinda L. Lucas

Families are invited to celebrate the Indian Festival of Lights at the Old Jail Art Center’s free family festival this Saturday, Nov. 6, from 12:00 noon to 3:00 p.m.

This is the Old Jail’s first indoor family festival since COVID restrictions first affected museum activities well over a year ago.

“We are excited about the family festival and having families back inside the museum,” said Susan Montgomery, Development and Membership Coordinator for the OJAC.

By Donnie A. Lucas

A grass fire that originated on the Matthews’ Lambshead Ranch quickly raced out of control due to winds in excess of 40 to 50 mph last Thursday, eventually consuming over 18,600 acres on four ranches in southern Throckmorton County and northern Shackelford County.

The Throckmorton Rural Fire Department originally took the lead, but handed coordinating efforts to battle the blaze over to the Shackelford County Rural VFD, according to Shackelford County Rural VFD chief Brad Henry.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Several blocks within the Albany city limits will be “moved” to a different voting precinct if  changes made by commissioners last week are approved as part of the state’s redistricting requirements.

A public hearing has been set for Friday, Nov. 12 at 9:00 a.m. in the second floor courtroom to hear comments about the redistricting proposal, which only affects Albany citizens.