I have two things on my mind this week — one good, and one… profoundly annoying. And because I prefer to ease into disappointment rather than dive straight into it, we’re going to start with the good. The annoying one will require a little emotional preparation and a deep breath.

PART I:

WRECK ’EM!!!

The Albany Lions opened their basketball season last week with a dominant road win over Eastland, posting a 73-point performance and setting an early tone for the year. Head coach Ryder Peacock said the defensive effort led the way in the 73–14 victory, noting that the team created turnovers, rebounded well, and turned stops into scoring chances.

“It was our overall defensive effort,” Peacock said. “We really got after it, rebounded well, and created a lot of scoring opportunities.”

Gayala Fields Askew, of Albany, Texas, passed to eternal life on Monday, December 8, 2025 at 71 years old.  Gayala was born to Jewel Princeton Fields and Lois Odel Piltcher Fields on July 29, 1954 in DeLeon, Texas. She is preceded in death by her parents, sisters Lorene Fields, Judy Hardy, and Fredda Owens, and her grandson, Boone Askew.

Juan Rodriguez

Juan Rodriguez, 71, of Albany, TX passed away on December 2, 2025. He was surrounded by his loving family and entered the Kingdom of Heaven peacefully. A visitation with the family was  held at Heartland Funeral Home in Early at 2:00 PM, Rosary at 3:00 PM, Sunday, December 7th, 2025 and Mass at St. Mary Catholic Church, Brownwood, Texas 10:00 AM, Monday, December 8th, 2025 with interment following at Eastland Memorial Park.