By Sandy Morris

Warmer, spring-like temperatures, along with the upcoming time change, have many local residents ready to get out and enjoy the pleasant weather. However, the month of March is also the time to get prepared for severe weather.

SkyWarn Training

The National Weather Service (NWS), with the help of local organizations, conducts SkyWarn classes each spring. 

According to Albany Volunteer Fire Department chief Kyle Tischler, an upcoming class will be offered locally.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Multiple sirens and the response of several emergency vehicles got the attention of local residents Friday evening, March 5 after a 911 call came in that a single vehicle had crashed through a fence along Hwy. 6 south of Albany and started a small fire.

Shackelford County sheriff Ed Miller said Tuesday that the deputy who first answered the call asked for immediate backup because the driver appeared to be under the influence of a controlled substance.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The Lion and Lady Lion track teams competed in the Anson Tiger Relays last Thursday, earning a number of ribbons and medals.

The Albany track teams will be on the road this week to a meet in Hamlin on Saturday, March 13.

The Albany boys racked up a total of 108 points in Anson last week for third place, while Breckenridge won the meet with 153 points, and Hawley took second with 148 points.

By Sandy Morris

Moran Independent School District will dismiss on Friday, March 12 at the regular time for Spring Break.

Spring Break is set for March 15-19, and classes will resume at the normal time on Wednesday, March 22. 

UIL Meet

The UIL District 13-A academic meet will be held in Eula on Thursday, March 24.

Other schools in the district with Moran and Eula are Baird, Cross Plains, May, and Rising Star.

Spring Fling

By Donnie A. Lucas

The Albany boys basketball program was represented well, taking nine spots in the District 10-2A All-District selections announced this week.

Albany senior Barrett Beal was named Offensive MVP by the district’s coaches, while freshman Adam Hill took another of the superlatives with 6th Man of the Year.

By Melinda L. Lucas

The Albany High School boys golf team finished third at the Hawley Golf Tournament last Wednesday, March 3, and several local golfers placed in the top 10 among the medalists.

Out of the 35 total competitors in the tournament, Houston Heatly placed fourth as an individual, while Lute Wheeler was right behind him in fifth.  Both athletes are freshmen.

“The boys are continuing to get better each week,” said golf coach Tate Thompson. “For some of them, this is the first time that they’ve played in tournaments.” 

By Sandy Morris

There will be a send-off for Albany High School athlete Wesley Estridge at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, March 11.

The send-off will begin at the high school and proceed through the downtown area going towards Breckenridge. 

The local high school senior will be competing at the Texas High School Powerlifting Association’s regional level competition to be held in Alvord on Friday, March 12.

Estridge is currently sitting in first place in Region 6, Division 3 Single Heavy Weight Powerlifting. 

By Donnie A. Lucas

The Lions varsity baseball team defeated ­DeLeon last Tuesday, then played four games at the Glen Rose tournament on Thursday through Saturday, with a 1-2-1 result.

The tournament that Albany was scheduled to host has been cancelled due to teams dropping out because of cases of the coronavirus at some of the schools on the schedule.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The junior high track teams opened the season last Tuesday, March 2 in Breckenridge, followed by competing in the Albany meet on Monday.

Coach M.J. Reneau said that the Breckenridge meet was a good beginning for the eighth grade.

“All the girls have a great starting point in their events,” Reneau said. “Our goal is to improve our marks and times each week.”

Coach Ginger Norton said that the seventh graders also did a good job at the first meet.

By Sandy Morris

The Albany Girls Softball Association is ready to kick off the season and will hold a ‘Field Day’ at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 13 at Webb Park on the Albany softball field. 

Registration

Jacey Shack, president of AGSA, said registration has been extended through Saturday.

“Because of the weather and other issues, some kids didn’t get a form to sign up,” said Shack. “We decided to extend registration to give everyone who wants to play a chance to sign up.”