By Melinda L. LucasGrandparents Week at Nancy Smith Elementary continues today and tomorrow, along with the annual Book Fair, which is set up on the cafeteria stage.The school is hosting the special week for grandparents, with help from Albany PTO members, who are sponsoring the book fair.

Last week, junior journalists were given a creative challenge: write a story based on the discovery of a mysterious object in an unexpected place. The goal was to craft a compelling narrative about what the object might be, where it came from, and how people reacted to its discovery.

A group of Albany’s fourth and fifth graders will take the stage this week to present Big Bad, a one-act courtroom comedy that puts the Big Bad Wolf on trial. The play, directed by Cali Rose, will be performed March 7 and 8 at 6 p.m. at the high school auditorium, and admission is free.

By David H. WallerThe Albany Mainstreet Playhouse will open its production of Neil Simon’s Rumors this weekend at the Aztec Theater, marking the first time in two decades the fast-paced comedy has been performed on the local stage.

By Lynsi MusselmanFour Albany locals won second place out of 812 teams in the statewide February 2025 West Texas Big Bobcat Contest, held in San Angelo this past weekend. Ryder Wilkins, Laithe Leech, Will LeMay, and Jack Nail came home big winners after their 28.

Rehearsals for the 2025 Fandangle Sampler will begin on March 17, marking the start of preparations for the April 19 performance at Collins Creek Ranch, the historic site of Fort Griffin.

By Melinda L. LucasOfficials at Moran ISD clarified that Jason Price, who filled out paperwork for the school board before the Feb. 14 deadline, filed specifically for a two-year unexpired term rather than a full three-year term, left vacant when longtime trustee Sug Roller resigned.

By Lynsi MusselmanIn January of this year, the Albany News came out with a character for young readers to locate each week in the newspaper. Waylon the Pesky Cowboy, hidden in every issue, has quickly become a fan favorite with the youth in Albany.

The Albany ISD school board met last week to discuss key issues, including the purchase of new buses, facility improvements, and contract extensions for district employees.Two New Buses ApprovedOne of the primary topics was the need for new school buses to replace aging vehicles.

By Melinda L. LucasAt Monday’s Shackelford County commissioners meeting, Shackelford County 4-H representatives reviewed a detailed proposal to enhance the Courthouse flower beds as a community service project.