By Donnie A. LucasA record crowd of music festival fans were on hand last Saturday for the fifth annual CareFest benefiting the ResourceCare centers serving six area communities.The event was hosted at Happy Wife, Happy Life Event Center located about four miles west of Albany.

By Sam WallerDespite excessive heat this summer, dove numbers are up across the state as the start of the hunting season approaches.The downside is the local population is not as robust as other areas.“We’ve had quite a few birds in the area,” game warden Jacob Mort said.

By Sam WallerThe Albany Volunteer Fire Department will hold its second annual Burgers and Birds fundraiser from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 2 at the fire station on Railroad Street.There is no set price, but donations will be accepted with a suggested price of $10.

By Melinda L. LucasPick-up dates for the September distribution of the commodity food program will be Thursday, Aug. 31 and Friday, Sept. 1.On Thursday, Aug. 31, certified eligible families in Moran should pick up their monthly commodity food at the Moran City Hall between 9:00 and 11:00 a.m.

By Sam WallerIn a little over a week, the 37th annual First Impressions Invitational Pig Sale will offer approximately 125 to 140 animals to be auctioned to FFA and 4-H members for  agriculture projects.The longest-running livestock sale in the U.S.

By Sam WallerShackelford County 4-H gets started on the new year with a kickoff party Monday, Sept. 4.The event is scheduled for 5:00-7:00 p.m. at Webb Park.Pizza and drinks will be provided along with a variety of activities for the whole family.

By Sam WallerLocal residents still have nearly a week to register for the Albany Chamber of Commerce’s community-wide garage sale, but Chamber manager Brandi Lehew encouraged anyone planning to participate not to wait until the last minute to sign up.

By Donnie A. LucasMembers of the community are again being sought to serve as mentors to local students at Nancy Smith Elementary School during the new school year.

Tuba players (l-r) Lathin Brownlee, Marcus Valfre, and Joe Angel Alcaraz help get the crowd going during a close Lion season opener against Lubbock Trinity Christian last Friday.

By Melinda L. LucasAlbany ISD students and staff get a day off for the first holiday of the 2023-2024 school year on Monday, Sept. 4 in observance of Labor Day.Classes will resume as scheduled on Tuesday, Sept. 5 at the normal time of 7:55 a.m. for Nancy Smith Elementary and 8:00 a.m.