By Sam Waller

Three of Albany’s youth basketball teams reached the championship games of their respective divisions in the final weekend of competition Saturday, Feb. 12 at Eula.

The fifth grade boys won their bracket to finish the season undefeated.

The fifth grade girls reached the final of their bracket before losing.

The sixth grade boys also won their first game, advancing to the final before losing their second.

The sixth grade girls, playing for just the second time this season, lost both of their games.

Fifth Grade Boys

By Sam Waller

The Albany Lady Lions were forced to open their softball season without benefit of a preseason scrimmage.

The Lady Lions hosted Abilene Cooper JV on Tuesday, Feb. 15, at Webb Park, winning 8-5. Details will be reported next week.

Albany’s scrimmage at Snyder on Saturday, Feb. 5, was cancelled because of the winter storm that hit the area. Coach Jimmy Fuentes said efforts to find a replacement for last week were unsuccessful.

“Everybody was packed,” he said. “We tried, but it was all filled.”

With friends and family in attendance, Albany senior Jaheim Newton (seated, c) signs a letter of intent with Hardin-Simmons University to play football in the fall. Newton, who will graduate this spring, rushed for more than 1,600 yards in the 2021 season.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Little Dribblers opened the 2022 season  Saturday, Feb. 12, with 10 games at the Albany High School gyms.

The start of the league was delayed a week because of the winter storm that hit Albany earlier in the month. The season will now extend into March.

The schedule for Saturday, Feb. 19, follows:

Boys – Blue vs. Red, 9:00 a.m.; Gray vs. Black, 10:00 a.m.; Black vs. Blue, 11:00 a.m.; Red vs. Gray, noon.

By Sam Waller

The Moran Lady Bulldogs came agonizingly close to earning a spot in the Class 1A girls basketball playoffs, falling 39-38 in overtime to Baird in a District 13-1A playoff Thursday, Feb. 10, at Breckenridge.

The Lady Bulldogs assured themselves of a spot in the play-in game on Tuesday, Feb. 8, with a 57-41 victory at Rising Star.

Moran finished the season 8-20 overall and 3-7 in district.

By Sam Waller

Moran ISD superintendent Dr. John Denson attended a meeting of the Region 14 Education Service West Texas Tech Co-op on Wednesday, Feb. 9, to discuss ways to improve internet availability for students.

“A lot of rural schools have trouble getting internet because of their location,” Denson said.

The consortium consists of 55 members comprising school districts, colleges and universities, libraries, museums, hospitals, and city and government agencies in the West Central Texas area.

Every year, wildfires burn across Texas, and a growing number of people are living where wildfires are a real risk. It is a peril that impacts all parts of the state and can occur throughout the year. Despite billions of dollars to support wildfires suppression efforts, the number of homes lost in wildfires continues to increase.

Currently, 110 counties in Texas are experiencing a burn ban. Dry vegetation, low humidity, and windy warm weather trends are all making what experts call a dangerous wildfire environment this winter.

On Friday morning, Feb. 4, 2022, Wally passed away at his home in Sheridan, Wyoming with his wife and sole caregiver Louise by his side. He had endured the decline of Parkinson’s for the past eight years.

Wally was born to Frederick Nelson and Johnnie (Hazle) Palm on Dec. 16, 1935 at Stamford Texas and soon returned to the family ranch ten miles southeast of Albany, Texas. He was welcomed by grandmother Valina, Aunt Corinne, and brother Fred.

Carroll Wayne Hogan Sr, age 89 went to his heavenly home Thursday, Feb. 3, 2022. Services were held Wednesday, Feb. 9, followed by graveside service at Murray Cemetery in Carbon, Texas, officiated by Jody Forbus.

By Donnie A. Lucas

In-person early voting for the March 1 primary elections starts Monday, Feb. 14 and continues until Friday, Feb. 25, with balloting taking place in the first floor lobby of the Shackelford County Courthouse.

Early voting hours are 8:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. each weekday including Fridays during the period. The Courthouse will be closed on Monday, Feb. 21 for Presidents Day.

“Voting will be available through the lunch hour this year,” election clerk Cheri Hawkins said.