By Sidney Bartee
Several members of Albany FFA have been attending multiple cattle prospect shows across the state during the summer, with their efforts paying off with some top spots and awards.
The prospect shows are held to prepare beef projects for major shows held in the fall and winter.
The most recent show was the Show Steer Nationals in Abilene, with more than 800 steer projects entered from all over the United States.
By Donnie A. Lucas
The News has hired veteran sportswriter Sam Waller as a staff member effective with this week’s edition.
Waller, 57, brings a wealth of reporting experience along with his 32-year newspaper career.
“We are really excited that Sam was available and the circumstances were right to allow us to have him join our staff,” editor Melinda Lucas said. “We were looking for a part-time writer to replace someone who left in June, and Sam was looking for a part-time position.”
By Sam Waller
For the past two decades, ResourceCare’s Adopt-a-Buddy program has helped make sure in-need students in Shackelford County are supplied with the school supplies they are required to have for the start of a new school year.
This year’s supply packages will be distributed from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 12 at the Albany Youth Center, according to ResourceCare case manager Makenzie Marshall.
While ResourceCare has this year’s supplies ready for distribution, Marshall said the program will continue to accept contributions.
By Sidney Bartee
The Albany Chamber of Commerce annual garage sale will take place on Saturday, Sept. 11.
Chamber manager Mary Beth Jones said participants can register to get on the map between Aug. 17 and Sept. 3.
To be registered, included on the map, and receive a sign will cost $10.
“Signs will not need to be returned anymore,” Jones said. “The signs will be metal or plastic, but you cannot use them every year, as they will include your map number.”
By Sidney Bartee
Members of the Ragin’ Red Band are hosting a Community Night in a little over a week to which everyone in the community is invited.
The event is scheduled for the last night of summer band practice on Monday, Aug. 16, starting at 8:00 p.m. at Robert Nail Memorial Stadium.
The Albany High School musicians will perform what they have been working on during summer rehearsals, including playing and marching the opening of their show, warm-ups and drills, playing some of the other show music, and stand tunes.
By Melinda L. Lucas
There are still spots available for both the Head Start and Pre-K programs offered at Nancy Smith Elementary School.
New and returning Head Start families need to pick up applications at the Nancy Smith Elementary School front office.
Required documents for Head Start are income verification (tax return or pay stubs), birth certificate, immunization records, insurance card, CHIPS or Medicaid information, Social Security card, and proof of residency (parent’s driver’s license or identification card).
By Sidney Bartee
The annual orientation for new students and incoming seventh graders will occur on the same day as the secondary campus’ “Meet the Teacher” and open house.
The open house day is scheduled for Aug. 16, with a time to be determined.
“Band director Will Vaughan and I are working together to find a time that works for everyone,” principal Glen Hill said. “We want as many people possible to be able to attend the open house and the band’s Community Night.”
By Sidney Bartee
The Albany ISD teachers, staff, and school board will attend a district luncheon on Tuesday, Aug. 10 at 12:00 p.m. in the Nancy Smith cafeteria.
In the morning, staff members will go to their separate campuses before meeting together at noon for the meal.
After lunch, there will be a presentation of recognitions to honor individuals who retired last year and to acknowledge the service of current staff members, according to superintendent Jonathan Scott.
By Sam Waller
The Feed Store has planned a pair of ongoing programs for local youth to begin with the start of the new school year.
Feed Store executive director Tisha Wilkins said the Tuesday lunch program for high school juniors and seniors will commence on Aug. 24, and a few weeks later, Fifth Quarter gatherings will follow each home football game.
Albany’s home opener is scheduled Sept. 17. Other home dates are Sept. 24 and Oct. 1, 15, and 29.
By Brad McBee
A while back I was shooting at a gun range just outside of Albany when I came across a Killdeer.
Killdeers are robin size, large plover, brownish, with white bellies and black stripes on their heads, necks, and breasts. The name comes from a call that sounds like “kill-deer,”
