Thirty-six Albany High School seniors will receive their diplomas Friday night, May 22, during commencement exercises scheduled for 7:00 p.m. in the high school gymnasium. The event marks the conclusion of the students’ high school careers and the beginning of their next chapter.

This year’s class is led by valedictorian Woods Peterson and salutatorian Mimi Ivy. Other honor graduates include Allison McDaniel, Ryan Turner, Jaxson Street, Madison Parrott, Hollis Yeates, Cache Clark and Caysn Hargett.

The opening date for the City of Albany swimming pool remains uncertain as city officials continue working through staffing and certification requirements.

Kenisha Lucas of City Hall said this week that the city still does not know when the pool will open and likely will not have more information until after the weekend.

“We will post the opening date on our website as soon as we know something,” Lucas said. “We won’t know until after this weekend, pending certifications.”

The city’s website is albany-texas.org

Shackelford County rancher Rick Hanson was recognized as the Area 5 winner of the Conservation Rancher Award during the Texas Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts Area 5 banquet held May 5 in Dublin.

John Tate of Albany, Area 5 state representative for the association, served as emcee for the banquet, which honors conservation efforts across a 54-county region. Smaller counties are combined into shared districts, with Shackelford and Stephens counties forming the Lower Clear Fork Soil and Water Conservation District.

Albany High School athletes wrapped up the 2026 UIL Class 2A state track and field meet with three solid performances against some of the top competitors in Texas, highlighted by a bronze-medal finish from senior pole vaulter Breylon Billington.

Competing Friday, May 15, at Mike A. Myers Stadium in Austin, Billington placed third in the pole vault, freshman Jakobi Roberson competed in the triple jump and senior Chance Stewart ran in the 800-meter run.