By Melinda L. LucasFamilies are invited to celebrate the beginning of spring break and a traditional holiday from India this Saturday, March 11.

By Melinda L. LucasJust in time for spring sports and other warm weather outdoor activities, Daylight Saving Time (DST) returns this Sunday, March 12, at 2:00 a.m.

By Melinda L. LucasThe Albany Volunteer Fire Department recently  upgraded its “jaws of life” super powers with new equipment provided by donated funds.“We’ve taken delivery of a new set of cordless extrication tools,” said AVFD captain Joel Viertel.

By Donnie A. LucasWith two rehearsals now under their belts, the cast and crew of the Fort Griffin Fandangle will take a week off for spring break before resuming practices for the Membership Sampler slated for April 15 at Reynolds Bend on the Matthews family’s historic Lambshead Ranch.

By Donnie A. LucasA group of 20 Albany FCCLA members competed at the Regional Leadership Conference last week in Waco, with both Parliamentary Procedure teams and two other paired partners advancing to the state  conference.

By Donnie A. LucasThe Ragin’ Red Band is preparing for concert and sight reading competition set for March 28 at Cooper High School in Abilene, hoping to repeat last year’s Sweepstakes Award by bringing home a pair of Division I ratings.

By Melinda L. LucasAlbany ISD students, facultyand staff are scheduled to be dismissed at the regular times on Friday, March 10 for the week-long spring break holiday.The preschool classes will release at 2:30 p.m. as usual. All other classes will be dismissed at 3:00 p.m.

By Sam WallerShackelford County 4-H members Faith Fry and Grace Fry were the first locals to come away with awards from the Houston Livestock Show as both posted top-10 finishes in the horse judging contest.In the senior division, Faith Fry placed seventh overall and second in reasons.

By Sam WallerFor former Shackelford County judge Ross Montgomery, a brief stint in the National Football League was just a precursor to his true calling.After two seasons as a running back with the Chicago Bears, Montgomery left the gridiron behind to take a job with Exxon in Houston.

By Sam WallerAlbany’s Cub Scout Pack 255 held its annual Blue and Gold Banquet on Monday, March 6, at the Scout Shack.Four Scouts received accomplishment badges as well as receiving $50 gift cards to Academy Sports and Outdoors for raising more than $250 each by selling popcorn.