By Donnie A. LucasAlbany students and staff will head back to the classroom next week, with teachers and staff reporting on Monday, Jan. 9 and students coming the following day on Tuesday, Jan. 10.The regular bell schedule will ring for students on Tuesday, with the second bell ringing at 7:55 a.m.

By Sam WallerMoran ISD begins its spring semester Monday, Jan. 9 with a staff-development day before resuming classes Tuesday, Jan. 10.In order to stay on its four-day week schedule, Moran will hold classes on Friday, Jan. 13. It is the only Friday class day scheduled for the spring semester.

By Sam WallerMoran’s Connor Hail added to his list of postseason honors last week when he was named an honorable mention selection on the Texas Six-Man Coaches Association All-State football team for Class 1A Division II as a punter.

By Sam WallerRev. Stan Allcorn’s dedication to God has made him put retirement on hold.Again.Allcorn,  who served as senior pastor at Abilene’s Pioneer Drive Baptist Church for 22 years, takes over as interim pastor at Albany’s First Baptist Church this week.

Julia Bowman and Taylor Scott  were recognized by Midwestern State University Honor Rolls for the Fall 2022 semester.Julia Bowman, majoring in Radiologic Technology, was named on the President’s Honor roll. This list includes students who complete 12 hours with no grade lower than A (4.0).

By Donnie A. LucasSeating is already limited for the first performance of a new concert series hosted by Albany Live at the Aztec Theater set for Saturday, Jan. 14.Fewer than 50 general admission tickets are available for the Paul Cauthen concert on Saturday, Jan. 14 at $75 per seat.

By Sam WallerAlbany’s Kenzie Neve brought home an armful of awards from the Arizona National Livestock Show, held Dec. 27-31 at the Arizona State Fairgrounds in Phoenix.Neve, an Albany High School sophomore, claimed the grand champion intermediate cattle showman prize for the second year in a row.

By Sam WallerThe Albany Lady Lions look to build on momentum gained from their holiday tournament as they resumed District 10-2A play with a win on Tuesday.After going 2-2 and earning the top spot in the bronze bracket at the May tournament, played Tuesday-Thursday, Dec.

By Sam WallerThree members of the Albany Lady Lions volleyball team were recognized for their efforts in 2022 by bigcountrypreps.com.

By Sam WallerThe Albany Lions basketball team entered the 2023 portion of the schedule with a 3-2 record after getting the season off to a belated start because of the football team’s state-championship run.The Lions tipped off their season with a 44-37 loss to Haskell on Tuesday, Dec.