By Sam Waller

The Albany Lady Lions had their deepest run in the Class 2A softball playoffs since 2018 come to an end last week with a three-game loss to Hamlin in the regional quarterfinals at McMurry University’s Edwards Field.

“We finally got the program back to where it’s accustomed to being after a couple of years hiatus with a big playoff run,” Lady ­Lions coach Jimmy Fuentes said. “It was good to have that happen, especially for this group of seniors who’ve dealt with a lot of adversity throughout their careers.”

By Sam Waller

Albany Independent School District will conduct physical exams for students who plan to participate in junior high or high school activities for the 2022-23 school year on Tuesday, May 24.

The exams will start at 4:30 p.m., according to Peacock.

“The girls will report to the main gym and the boys will report to the fieldhouse,” athletic director Ryder Peacock said. “This is for all sports, band, cheerleading – anything that requires a physical.”

By Sam Waller

The Albany Kiwanis Club is sponsoring a free junior golf clinic in conjunction with Central Texas Junior Golf.

The clinic for students in third through eighth grade is scheduled for 2:00-4:00 p.m. Sunday, June 26, at Albany Golf Club.

Instruction will be by PGA professionals.

To preregister, visit the Central Texas Junior Golf Facebook page or call 325-895-0817.

Clubs will be provided for those who do not have a set.

By Sam Waller

Moran seventh through 12th grade students who have met certain criteria will be rewarded with a trip to Six Flags Over Texas on Friday, May 20 as the school year begins winding down.

Principal Jo Hise said qualifying for the trip required meeting academic and attendance standards.

“They couldn’t have any unexcused absences,” Hise said. “They could only miss seven days altogether, and they have to be passing their classes.”

By Sam Waller

Albany’s Romie Hinshaw won the 12-and-under age division of the Western Heritage Classic Fiddlers Contest on Saturday, May 14.

The event was part of the Western Heritage Classic, which ran Tuesday, May 10, through Sunday, May 15, in Abilene. The festival regularly draws several participants from Albany.

In addition to Hinshaw, a third grader, Albany sixth grader Charli Trail finished third in the Fiddlers Contest, and first grader Olena Hinshaw finished fifth.

Gage Burton, competing in the same division, came in sixth.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Shackelford County ResourceCare hosted the 18th annual spring health fair at the Albany Bank Park last Friday, May 13.

ResourceCare program director Mindy Ary said children attended from Nancy Smith Elementary School and the Mother’s Day Out program.

“I would say close to 300 kids came through,” said Ary. “The children enjoyed all of the games, prizes, snow cones, and popcorn.”

Albany High School graduate Sarah Cotter has been awarded the Nancy and Ted Paup Big  Country Athletic Hall of Fame Scholarship. This scholarship fund is managed by the Community  Foundation of Abilene.

This scholarship goes to an Albany student who is in the top 25 percent of his/her class and  participated in varsity athletics.

Cotter will attend Texas A&M University in the fall and plans to study Business.

By Sam Waller

The Calling – Come & See Revival will offer three nights of worship for all faiths this weekend at Moran City Park.

The revival, hosted by First Baptist Church of Moran, is a cooperative effort with Albany Methodist Church.

Services will start at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, May 14-16.

The Calling is for those who have never known God, those who have strayed away, or those who have a close walk with God every day – in other words for everyone – and can recharge one’s faith, according to Dora Leonard of FBC Moran.

By Melinda L. Lucas

In addition to hearing concerns from a group of local citizens at Monday night’s meeting, council members also discussed detailed plans with this year’s pool managers.

After a review by phone with CPA Cameron Gulley, council members approved the 2020-2021 audit.

Chris Beard, who had been sworn in earlier that day, was welcomed to his first meeting.  Because there were no opposed races for the council terms, the election was cancelled.

Neighborhood Concerns

By Donnie A. Lucas

For the first time in about a month, three cases of COVID-19 were recorded at the three Albany testing sites last week, with a total of eight tests administered.

At least one of the new cases was reportedly of a student on the secondary campus of Albany ISD.

The three positive tests come on the heels of a quiet month for COVID-19 cases locally. Three of the last four weeks resulted in no new cases, with only one positive reported for the first week of April.