By Donnie A. Lucas

The varsity Lion basketball team closed out the first half of District 10-2A action last week with a pair of wins to improve to 4-2 in league play.

Albany had a bye on Tuesday prior to starting the second half.

The Lions will host Hawley on Friday, Jan. 22, with the JV boys starting at 6:00 p.m. and the varsity following at about 7:15 p.m.

Sitting in third place at the moment, the Lions hope to avenge their 51-50 loss to the Bearcats in their district opener.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The Lady Lions dropped both district games on the road last week, with the second half of the district race starting on Friday in Haskell.

The varsity was open on Tuesday with a scheduled district bye.

Action resumes Friday with the Lady Lions hosting Hawley. The varsity will play at 6:00 p.m. in the new gym, while the JV will play at 7:15 p.m. in the old gym.

Albany will travel to Hamlin on Tuesday, Jan. 26 with the JV starting the four back-to-back games at 4:00 p.m. The varsity girls should play at 6:30 p.m.

By Sandy Morris

Local Cub Scouts are expected to compete in the annual Albany Pinewood Derby starting at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 25 at the Scout Hut.

This is the second year that the derby will be held at the new Scout Hut. 

Approximately eight Cub Scouts will be participating including a few girls,according to Cubmaster Jacey Shack.

Race Rules

Cub Scouts are expected to craft homemade race cars and pair them against each other on a 36-foot aluminum track.

The Albany Independent School district will be closed on Friday, Jan. 22 to enable students to attend the local stock show. 

Teachers and staff will have a comp day on Friday, Jan. 22. 

Classes will resume at the normal times on Monday, Jan. 25.

The next student holiday at AISD will be on Monday, Feb. 15 with a staff development day scheduled for faculty members. 

By Sandy Morris

This week 4-H members will be busy showing their projects at the Shackelford County Youth and Livestock Show, but Shackelford County Extension Agent and 4-H Sponsor Kloey Painter has announced several upcoming programs of interest. 

Shotgun Practice

The 4-H Shotgun Club will hold practice the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month with the next practice set for Tuesday, Jan. 26.

All practice sessions are held in Breckenridge at the local gun range from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m.

By Sandy Morris

Project Graduation organizers are planning their first fundraiser to prepare for the annual celebration following graduation. 

Order forms for Valentine’s Day Oreo Truffles were distributed this week and are available at both school campuses.

“The deadline for orders for the truffles is Monday, Feb. 1,” said class parent Tisha Wilkins. “The seniors will help prepare them, and the truffles will be delivered to the high school and to Nancy Smith Elementary School on Valentine’s Day.”

By Sandy Morris

Albany High School students competed in the virtual Haskell Pow Wow, a University Interscholastic League academic invitational meet, on Saturday, Jan. 16, and several Albany students brought home individual medals. 

In addition, Albany students placed first in journalism and science as a team.

By Melinda L. Lucas

During a discussion about providing a dedicated restroom for the rental space at the east end of the clinic building, Shackelford County Hospital District directors agreed to consider bids to remodel space that once served as a shower for the ambulance staff before the present EMS station was built.

By Melinda L. Lucas

At the end of Monday night’s meeting, following the routine closed-session evaluation of AISD superintendent Jonathan Scott, a unanimous motion extended Scott’s contract by one more year to January 2024.

The board also proposed a five percent salary increase a salary increase, effective Sept. 1, 2021.

The action, with a motion by Joe Tidwell and Second by Ginny Ivy, came at the end of a 1-1/2 hour closed session, with the meeting adjourning a few minutes later.