By Donnie A. Lucas

The Ragin’ Red Band debuted new uniforms last Friday during halftime of the Albany vs. Anson game in preparation for upcoming marching contests.

The band will compete on Saturday, Oct. 2 at the Big Country Marching Contest at Wylie High School in Abilene. The local band will take the field at 3:20 p.m.

The band will be performing its contest show “Arabian Nights,” with music written by Luke McMillan and marching drill by Josh Shaw of Lubbock.

Albany High School senior Luke Ivy, son of Paul and Ginny Ivy, has been named a Commended Student in the 2022 National Merit Scholarship Program, according to an announcement made last Thursday. 

A Letter of Commendation from the school and National Merit Scholarship Corporation, which conducts the program, was presented to Ivy by local principal Glen Hill.

About 34,000 Commended Students throughout the nation are being recognized for their exceptional academic promise. 

By Donnie A. Lucas

The first Staff Member and Student of the Six Weeks  for the 2021-2022 school year were named at the secondary campus earlier this week.

Seventh grader Adrian Wren was selected as the first student to be recognized, while new junior high science teacher Michelle Lowrey was chosen as the staff member.

Principal Glen Hill made the announcement on Tuesday, along with crediting the Albany Academic Booster Club with providing the prizes.

The student will be given a pair of Apple earpods, while the teacher receives $50 in cash.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Pick-up dates for the October distribution of the commodity food program will be Thursday, Oct. 7 and Friday, Oct. 8.

Shackelford County Justice of the Peace James Breeden, who oversees the program, said that if October commodities are not picked up, those individuals will not be eligible for the Thanksgiving bag in November. 

The Thanksgiving bag is in addition to the regular November commodities.

Recipients unable to pick up in person can send a signed and dated note with someone to pick up the food for them.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Lions Club is taking part in a project to provide ramps for homes of disabled residents.

Janna Ledbetter, Lions Club secretary/treasurer, is coordinating the effort locally.

“We’re partnering with the Kiwanis Club out of Abilene,” Ledbetter said. “TexasRamps.org actually provides the materials. We provide the patrons and help with the installation.”

Ledbetter said one ramp has already been built in Albany, and three others are scheduled.

Plans for the 2021 Fall Festival will be discussed at 3:30 p.m. today at a meeting at Nancy Smith Elementary School.

Members of the Albany Parent Teacher Organization encourage parents and students of all grade levels to attend. Organizers plan to present new ideas and hear feedback and additional ideas from parents.

The meeting will immediately follow the Campus Improvement Committee meeting, which starts at 3:00 p.m.

Last year’s Fall Fest was cancelled because of COVID.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The annual membership meeting of the Fort Griffin Fandangle Association is set for Tuesday, Oct. 12 beginning at 5:30 p.m. at the Albany Visitors Center (Depot).

Discussion and a motion to hold the Fandangle in 2022 are expected, along with the filling of five terms on the board that are expiring and the election of officers for the coming year.

Members of the board whose three-year terms are ending are Leslie Jones, Dustin Parsons, Lauren Willen, John Ayers, and Shelly Bartee.

By Sam Waller

National 4-H Week is scheduled for Oct. 3-9 with more than a week’s worth of activities scheduled for Shackelford County 4-Hers.

“I’m trying to use that week as a really big push to  promote everything we have going on and encourage people to get their kids involved,” Shackelford County extension agent Kelsey Bell said. “We’re highlighting community service. A huge part of 4-H is teaching our kids the value of serving our community.”

Things kick off Friday with a float in the Albany homecoming parade. 

By Donnie A. Lucas

This Friday is the deadline for organizations that plan to apply for 2022 funding from the Albany Chest.

Applications need to be finished and submitted by 5:00 p.m. on Oct. 1.

Board vice chair Melinda Lucas said Monday that only a few applications had been received so far, and she emphasized that all organizations wishing to receive an allocation from the Albany Chest must submit a written request by the deadline.

By Donnie A. Lucas

After almost 45 years of ownership, Melinda and I are ready to let someone else take over the reins of this 140-year old newspaper – The Albany News.

Before we advertise to the newspaper industry or other possible interested parties statewide, we want to determine if there is interest by someone locally or with local ties who wants to explore this opportunity.

We know this could take awhile, but the time has come for our family to retire and start the process of getting the newspaper in the hands of someone else.