By Melinda L. Lucas

Three members of the Albany ISD board of trustees were present for a special meeting at noon on Friday, Nov. 6 to canvass the votes for the COVID-delayed May board election that finally took place Nov. 3 in conjunction with the General Election.

Even though school board meetings normally require four trustees to be in attendance for action to be taken, two board members consitute a quorum for the purpose of canvassing an election, according to AISD superintendent Jonathan Scott.

By Sandy Morris

 Albany ISD Junior High students will start the UIL academic season today with a completely different look to the meets. 

This year, all events will be conducted locally with no outside audiences allowed. 

Junior high UIL coordinator Melanie Anderson said contests will be judged the same even though they are being held locally.

By Sandy Morris

All first grade students at Nancy Smith Elementary School recently received a free tooth decay kit through the Fantastic Teeth Fan Club.

Members of the Albany Masonic Lodge, represented by Robert Skelton, assembled, and delivered 50 dental hygiene kits to the school.

School nurse Lisa Russell taught a short lesson to the students about tooth care on Wednesday, Nov. 4.

Normally, local Masons present the kits in person, but because of COVID precautions, Russell took over this year’s distribution. 

By Sandy Morris

The Albany High School marching band competed in the University Interscholastic League East Zone marching contest this past Saturday, Nov. 7 at 11:00 a.m. at Abilene Wylie stadium.

The Ragin’ Red Band earned straight 2’s from all three judges, which band director Will Vaughan said is a big improvement from last year when the band received two 3’s and a 4.

“The band had a very good performance of the show,” said Vaughan. “The positive comments from the judges show us that the band is on the right track.” 

By Sandy Morris

For many students of the graduating class of 2021, the most difficult part of applying for college is the financial aid process. 

Students can apply for federal financial aid, which includes Pell and other other grants, as well as student loans. 

The process can be intimidating, especially if a student is the first graduate to apply for financial aid in their family. 

In order to help AISD seniors, a FAFSA meeting will be held Monday, Nov. 16, at 6:00 p.m. in the AHS auditorium. 

By Sandy Morris

AHS students who have not taken the SAT or wish to retake the test will have an opportunity to do so on Saturday, Dec. 5. 

Albany High School will be the test site for the administration of the SAT on that date, offering students a chance to test at their own school rather than driving to another town to test. 

Any AHS student wishing to take the SAT on this date may register at www.collegeboard.org

For more information on the test or testing fees, contact Jenny Scott at 325-762-3974, ext. 108.

By Sandy Morris

The classes at Nancy Smith Elementary School are engaged in a battle – a canned food battle.

This past Monday, Nov. 9, NSES students began the “Battle of the Classes Canned Food Drive.”

Students will be collecting canned food items through Friday, Nov. 13 with all proceeds going to help senior citizens of Shackelford County. 

By Sandy Morris

The 2020 Believe Tree for Teens applications are now available for Shackelford County junior high and high school students. 

The Albany Ministerial Alliance is the sponsor for the tree which provides gift assistance for local teens. 

Applications and wish lists are available at ResourceCare in Albany or from any church in the Ministerial Alliance. 

By Sandy Morris

Members of the community and all local church congregations are invited to join in the traditional community-wide Thanksgiving service on Sunday, Nov. 22 at First Christian Church.  

The program will begin at 6:00 p.m. with Brad McBee leading the attendees in song. 

Jeff Turner, pastor of First Baptist Church, will deliver the message. 

The community service is sponsored annually by the Albany Ministerial Alliance. 

By Sandy Morris

The First United Methodist Women are hosting a chili fundraiser on Sunday, Dec. 6 from 12:00 noon to 2:00 p.m., with sales already underway.

One-quart bags of chili are $10.50 and quart bags of beans are $1.50. Items will be pre-packaged and frozen.

Tickets may be purchased from UMW members. Orders also may be placed by phone by calling Annette Harris at 325-338-5478 or Helon Norman at 325-762-4691, and will be accepted through Dec. 1.

The food can be picked up at the FUMC Fellowship Hall, located at 200 N. Jacobs Street.