By Sandy Morris

With restrictions being lifted statewide, the Old Jail Art Center staff members are preparing for the first members’ in-person event in more than a year,

Back at the end of February, the museum launched two new exhibitions, but the usual in-person gallery opening didn’t happen because of COVID precautions and limited hours of operation.

The OJAC is now planning to host a members’ viewing and reception for featured artists Billy Hassell and Sterling Allen from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 15. 

By Sandy Morris

Two Albany High School students medaled at the University Interscholastic League state academic meet held last Saturday, May 1 at Abilene Wylie High School.

Senior Hannah Trail was notified Monday that she had earned a gold medal in the Editorial Writing event.

Luke Ivy, a junior, placed third overall in the Science competition and had the top paper in the Biology portion of the test. 

The City of Moran Volunteer Fire Department recently converted a 2.5-ton Stewart Stevenson into a firefighting machine. 

The truck was given through the Department of Defense Firefighter Property Program and a $20,000 grant for a slip-on unit was awarded through the Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program. Both programs are administered by Texas A&M Forest Service. 

By Sandy Morris

Moran junior Johnnie Hise earned third place in Ready Writing at the UIL Region 2 Academic meet at Angelo State University and will advance to the state competition on May 1 at Abilene Wylie High School.

Aspen Box participated in Spelling and Vocabulary and won ninth place at the meet. 

Moran Prom

The Moran High School prom will be held on Saturday, May 1 at the Moran Event Center. 

The event is sponsored by the school, and the theme this year is “Masquerade Ball.” 

Photo packages for local Little League and t-ball participants will be ready for pickup on Monday, May 3.

The softball pictures that are being taken today (April 29) and the coach pitch teams scheduled for Saturday, May 1 will probably be ready by Monday, May 10, according to Melinda Lucas of The Albany News. 

Lucas said that she will watch the weather and get word to the coaches about any changes.

By Sandy Morris

First Baptist Church Children’s Ministry will host a hamburger lunch fundraiser at the FBC Fellowship Hall from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 2.

The brown bag lunch will be ‘grab and go’ and will include a hamburger, chips, drink, and dessert.

Donations will be accepted for the meal and all proceeds will help send Albany third through sixth graders to summer camp. 

By Sandy Morris

The Albany sixth grade band attended the Clyde Beginner Band Festival on Saturday, April 24 and earned straight division 1 ratings for their performance of “The Buglers” by Edmondson and “Star Wars” by Williams, arranged by Strommen. 

Albany band director Will Vaughan was very pleased with his musicians both on and off of the stage. 

Parents of Albany High School graduating seniors are reminded to gather baby pictures for The Albany News’ upcoming graduation section.

Pictures are due by the end of next week, on Thursday, May 6, if possible.

Parents need to select a clear, sharp baby picture of their graduate, preferably a face and shoulders close-up under age three or four.

High resolution images for the graduation special section can be emailed to news@thealbanynews.net or photos can be brought by the News office to be scanned and returned immediately.

By Sandy Morris

Parents and family members are reminded that the Nancy Smith Elementary School Scholastic Book Fair is in progress though Sunday, May 2.

The book fair is sponsored by the PTO and is being held virtually this year with a goal of selling 647 books.

Students and adults  can browse through over 6,000 specially priced books and educational products including new releases, award-winning titles, children’s classics, and current best sellers. 

Games, posters, bookmarks, and other items are also available.

By Sandy Morris

Registration for Head Start classes will continue and a pre-registration process for kindergarten for the 2021-2022 school year will get underway at Nancy Smith Elementary School next week on Tuesday, May 4.

Parents or guardians who are unable to attend that day can check on options for registering their child for NSES programs by calling 325-762-3384.

Kindergarten Class

Kindergarten Round-Up will be held at NSES on Tuesday, May 4, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.