By Sam Waller

When classes resume on Monday following spring break, Moran ISD will have nine weeks of class remaining until the end of the school year. However, there will be minor changes to the schedule, superintendent Dr. John Denson said.

At its meeting Monday night, the Moran school board will review proposed changes to the school calendar regarding makeup dates for two class days missed because of winter weather in February.

“We’ll let the board approve the calendar amendment and make those days up,” Denson said.

By Sam Waller

Moran’s Tyler Waddell and Connor Hail took third place in boys doubles Tuesday, March 7 at the Santa Anna tournament played at Early High School.

“This was our first tournament of the season,” coach Jo Hise said. “I’m very proud of how everyone played. I’m excited for a great tennis season.”

Moran had five entries in the tournament.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Softball Association will begin its season next week with 57 girls on five teams in three age groups.

Games begin Monday, March 20, with the season concluding in mid-May for teams that enter district tournaments in Abilene. The teams will face opponents from Anson, Breckenridge, Cisco, Eastland, and Ranger.

Albany will field two teams in the 8-and-under and 10-and-under age divisions, with one 12-and-under team.

Nadine Vandivere Pilcher, 86, of San Angelo, formerly of De Leon, passed from this world to be with Jesus, March 4, 2023, in Brownwood, Texas.  She was born Sept. 6, 1936, in Anson, Texas to Ernest and Tressie Vandivere. She married William Jack Pilcher on Dec. 4, 1954, in Rising Star, Texas.

Elva Sanders, age 83 of Albany, passed away Sunday, March 12, 2023. Graveside funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, March 18 at the Albany Cemetery with Bob Skelton officiating. Interment will follow under the direction of Morehart Mortuary. Visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Friday, March 17 at Morehart Mortuary of Albany.

Sharon Osborne Matthews passed away peacefully on March 8, 2023, at the age of 84, in Abilene, Texas. Sharon was born in San Angelo, Texas, the only child of G.C. and Iris Dell Osborne Jr. She moved to Abilene as a young child and graduated from Abilene High School in 1956, where she was head cheerleader for the legendary Eagles. She lived in south Texas after college and returned to Abilene in 1972.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Families are invited to celebrate the beginning of spring break and a traditional holiday from India this Saturday, March 11.

Even though the forecast calls for some wind on Saturday, temperatures are expected to be warm, and the OJAC hopes to host games and crafts in both the Stasney Center and outdoors.

“Family Festival: Holi!” geared toward children of all ages, will begin at 1:00 p.m. and end at 4:00 p.m., with docents, junior docents, and other volunteers helping with activities.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Just in time for spring sports and other warm weather outdoor activities, Daylight Saving Time (DST) returns this Sunday, March 12, at 2:00 a.m.

Most of the United States officially begins DST every year on the second Sunday in March, and changes back to standard time on the first Sunday in November.

Local residents are reminded to set any manual clocks forward one hour before they go to bed on Saturday night.

By Melinda L. Lucas

The Albany Volunteer Fire Department recently  upgraded its “jaws of life” super powers with new equipment provided by donated funds.

“We’ve taken delivery of a new set of cordless extrication tools,” said AVFD captain Joel Viertel. “We received a set of cutters as well as a set of spreaders (jaws of life), with extra batteries and charger.”

By Donnie A. Lucas

With two rehearsals now under their belts, the cast and crew of the Fort Griffin Fandangle will take a week off for spring break before resuming practices for the Membership Sampler slated for April 15 at Reynolds Bend on the Matthews family’s historic Lambshead Ranch.

The initial two rehearsals for the show were held at the Aztec Theater over the past two weeks, but the cast will move outside at the Prairie Theater for practices on Mondays and Thursdays through April 13. All rehearsals will start at 7:30 p.m. at the theater.