By Lynsi Musselman
Four Albany locals won second place out of 812 teams in the statewide February 2025 West Texas Big Bobcat Contest, held in San Angelo this past weekend. Ryder Wilkins, Laithe Leech, Will LeMay, and Jack Nail came home big winners after their 28.5-pound male bobcat earned them one of the top two spots with prize money of $32,380, with an additional $500 paid to Nail for the highest placing youth hunter.
Rehearsals for the 2025 Fandangle Sampler will begin on March 17, marking the start of preparations for the April 19 performance at Collins Creek Ranch, the historic site of Fort Griffin.
The Fandangle Sampler serves as a preview for Fandangle members, allowing both new and returning cast members to rehearse songs and scenes before the full-scale Fort Griffin Fandangle in June. This year’s 87th anniversary of the Fandangle will take place June 20, 21, 27, and 28 at the Prairie Theater.
By Melinda L. Lucas
Officials at Moran ISD clarified that Jason Price, who filled out paperwork for the school board before the Feb. 14 deadline, filed specifically for a two-year unexpired term rather than a full three-year term, left vacant when longtime trustee Sug Roller resigned.
The school will still conduct an election on May 3 to decide between three candidates for two seats – incumbents Alice Branham and Sam Snyder, along with Chris Leonard.
The two candidates who get the most votes will win the two at-large seats.
The Albany ISD school board met last week to discuss key issues, including the purchase of new buses, facility improvements, and contract extensions for district employees.
Two New Buses
Approved
One of the primary topics was the need for new school buses to replace aging vehicles. The board approved the purchase of two 72-passenger Thomas buses, priced at $140,000 each, using foundation funds. The buses are expected to arrive by mid-March, sooner than anticipated.
By Melinda L. Lucas
At Monday’s Shackelford County commissioners meeting, Shackelford County 4-H representatives reviewed a detailed proposal to enhance the Courthouse flower beds as a community service project.
After a brief introduction by 4-H advisor Kelsey Bell, Riley Reames and Kerrigan Howard took over the presentation, with multi-page handouts to explain their plans.
By Sam Waller
Shackelford County 4-H members Riley Reames and Kerrigan Howard submitted their plan for a community service project Monday, Feb. 24 to the Shackelford County Commissioners.
“Our senior officers each have a community service project they do each year,” Shackelford County extension agent Kelsey Bell said. “Our 4-H club has been approached several times about doing some work on the courthouse square, and that was something Riley wanted to take on. She’ll be heading that up, and Kerrigan is her junior partner.”
By Sam Waller
Albany FFA members continued their run at the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo last week with several placing.
Jake Hale earned a blue ribbon in the ag mech contest with his hydraulic hay trailer, his third in as many shows. The project also garnered blue ribbons at Fort Worth and San Angelo.
In Wave 2 of the livestock judging, Kenzie Neve placed second with her AOC steer and made the sale.
Creed Spencer placed 21st in his barrow class with a crossbred, while Ryan Turner also participated.
By Sam Waller
The Albany Lions saw their boys basketball season come to an end Friday, Feb. 21 with a 66-46 loss to Graford in the area round of the Class 2A Division II playoffs at Eastland.
The Lions, who reached the second round for the fifth year in a row, finished the season with a 14-9 record.
By Sam Waller
Moran Independent School District started this week with a safety drill to test security procedures.
During the drill, conducted Monday, Feb. 24, bells and lights in school buildings activated. Also, every computer screen on campus as well as the large screens in every classroom displayed explicit instructions. Different messages appear depending on the current drill or situation.
By David H. Waller
A weeks-long investigation into a fraudulent check scheme has led to the arrests of three Fort Worth men in Albany, with authorities linking them to a larger organized crime operation that has targeted multiple communities across North Texas.
