By Sam WallerDespite being temporarily being expelled from their home court and battling low numbers, the Moran Lady Bulldogs began their volleyball season with five matches last week.The Lady Bulldogs began the second week of competition Tuesday, Aug. 15 with a match at Gustine.

By Sam WallerThe Feed Store is gearing up for the new school year with a full slate of activities planned.Director Tisha Wilkins met Tuesday, Aug. 15 with four senior representatives to The Feed Store Student Council to discuss plans for the upcoming year.

By Melinda L. LucasAn Albany blood drive is set for this afternoon, Aug. 17.Hendrick Regional Blood Center will park the bloodmobile at First Baptist Church at the usual time from 1:00 to 6:00 p.m.

By Sam WallerRegistration for the Albany Chamber of Commerce’s community-wide garage sale begins Tuesday, Aug. 22.Registration will continue through Wednesday, Sept. 6. The garage sale will be held Saturday, Sept. 9.

By Sam WallerThe Albany Lions football team got its first taste of outside competition Friday, Aug. 11 with a controlled scrimmage at Coleman that head coach Denney Faith termed “very beneficial.”The Lions get their final preseason tuneup Thursday, Aug. 17 (tonight) with another scrimmage at Early.

By Sam WallerThe Albany Lady Lions volleyball team finished fourth in the Albany Summer Slam tournament to wrap up the first week of competition.The Lady Lions (3-3) returned to the court Tuesday, Aug. 15 to host Newcastle, defeating the Lady Bobcats 25-13, 25-21, 25-22.

By Sam WallerThe field for the Albany Golf Club’s annual Labor Day Golf Tournament was about half full earlier this week, giving those interested in playing two more weeks to sign up.As of Monday, Aug. 14, 28 of 60 spots had been spoken for.

By Sam WallerInjury kept Ryan Mark from having the kind of season he wanted in 2022, at Austin College, but it didn’t keep him from earning postseason academic honors.Mark, a 2022 Albany graduate, saw no playing time as a freshman because of shoulder and back injuries.

By Sam WallerLauren Peacock has been named to coach Albany’s cross country program in the wake of Donnie Hart’s sudden resignation.

By Sam WallerThe Clear Fork Ranch team, which included three Shackelford County residents, took first place Saturday, Aug. 12 at the Big Bend Youth Ranch Rodeo in Alpine.The win qualified Clear Fork Ranch for the Working Ranch Cowboy Association youth championship, scheduled for Nov. 11 in Amarillo.