By Donnie A. Lucas

A presentation originally scheduled for today for students and the public on the use of vaping products and synthetic drugs has been postponed, according to Albany secondary principal Glen Hill.

A group of registered nurses from Lubbock had planned to talk to both students and the public today during a pair of programs for junior high and high school students and the public on the dangers of using illegal and synthetic drugs, including the use of vaping products.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Albany High School students selected class members as royalty for the 2022 Winter Formal, including this year’s Mr. and Miss AHS. 

The Winter Formal is organized each year by the AHS student council, and this year’s gala was held last Saturday, Jan. 8 at the Whitney Theatre. 

COVID concerns caused last year’s Winter Formal to be cancelled.

Albany seniors Ana Balliew and Taren Farmer, who were both nominated by the junior class, were crowned Mr. and Miss AHS during a brief ceremony toward the end of Saturday night’s event.

By Sam Waller

4-Her Grace Fry quickly found a cause she could get behind after her family moved to Shackelford County.

The 13-year-old donated 10 percent of the proceeds she received last year from the sale of her show ewe to Closet Angels. The choice of charitable cause was unusual in that the ewe was exhibited and sold at the Kleberg-Kenedy County show in South Texas before the family’s move.

Dawn Fry, Grace’s mother, was drawn to the Closet Angels mission, as was Grace.

By Sam Waller

The Shackelford County Senior Citizens Center has suspended all organized activities for the foreseeable future because of the recent surge in COVID-19 cases.

Among the programs out on hold is a monthly lunch that was held for the first time in December. Others include Tuesday Bible study and Friday Bingo and games.

“We’ll make a decision every week about what we’re going to do regarding activities,” center volunteer Lynne Simon said. “The big one is Bingo on Friday. We just won’t be having that until things settle down.”

By Melinda L. Lucas

Members of the Albany Chest’s board of directors originally planned to meet Wednesday, Jan. 12 to distribute funds collected during the 2021 campaign, but with the number of positive COVID cases rising rapidly, the decision was made on Monday to postpone.

According to board president Jana Kitchens, the directors are tentatively scheduled to meet at the Feed Store on Jan. 26.

By Donnie A. Lucas

A pair of Albany sophomores will travel to Big Spring on Friday to prepare for the All-Region Band Concert on Saturday.

Ashley Sanchez and Trinity McBee both earned seats in the All-Region Band during tryouts held in December at Midland Greenwood High School. Sanchez took 17th chair clarinet and McBee placed as 26th chair on the flute.

The pair, who will be accompanied by band director William Vaughan, will rehearse during the day on Friday in Big Spring and again on Saturday morning to prepare for the concert at 3:00 p.m.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Lions boys basketball team returned from the holiday break with a big road win and a disappointing home loss last week in District 10-2A competition.

On Tuesday, Jan. 4, the Lions defeated Hamlin 52-12 at Hamlin. That was followed by a 55-50 loss to state-ranked Cisco on Friday, Jan. 7.

On Tuesday, Jan. 11, Albany (4-3 overall, 1-2 district) played at Anson, losing 48-37.  Details will be reported next week. 

On Friday, Jan. 14, the Lions return home to host Stamford.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Lady Lions basketball team made significant strides in its two games last week despite battling foul trouble and a state-ranked opponent.

The Lady Lions lost 48-44 in overtime at Hamlin on Tuesday, Jan. 4, as three players fouled out in the extra period. On Friday, Jan. 7, Albany fell 62-21 to Cisco at home.

The Lady Lions (2-12 overall, 0-4 District 10-2A) visited Anson on Tuesday, Jan. 11, losing 66-28. Details will be reported next week. 

By Sam Waller

Three Moran High School seniors were honored by bigcountrypreps.com for their efforts in fall sports.

Arren Hawley was an honorable mention selection to the football team at receiver, linebacker, punter and kicker in addition to earning aspot on the website’s True Grit team.

By Sam Waller

The Fellowship of Christian Athletes will conduct its Weekend of Champions girls camp Jan. 29-30 at Solid Rock Encampment near Eastland. The overnight camp is for girls in grades 8-12.

“It’s going to be a weekend of equipping young ladies with truth, encouragement, and fellowship,” said Betsy Spraberry, who helps with local FCA events. “We’ll have a great speaker and testimonies along with worship and fun activities.”

Spraberry said FCA membership is not a requirement to attend the program.