By Donnie A. LucasThe Ragin’ Red Band improved their ranking from last year at the UIL Area Marching Contest, placing 15th out of the 25 Class 2A bands that competed last Saturday in Lubbock.

By Sam WallerThe next round of deadlines for Albany FFA and Shackelford County 4-H members planning to exhibit livestock at winter shows is quickly approaching.The deadline for swine tag orders is Monday, Nov. 7, followed by the deadline for all uploads for heifers, sheep and goats on Tuesday, Nov.

By Sam WallerThe Albany FFA chapter freshmen took part in the Big Country District Greenhand Conference Tuesday, Oct. 25, in Abilene.Albany’s 14 freshmen were among 218 in attendance, participating in leadership, team-building and social events.

By Sam WallerAlbany’s Leddie Leech was among 24 youth and 13 adults honored during the District 7 4-H Gold Star and Silver Clover Banquet.The banquet was held Monday, Oct. 24 at the Bill Franklin Center in Coleman.

By Sam WallerThe Albany Lions clinched the No. 1 playoff seed out of District 6-2A Division II last week with a 55-6 victory at Hamlin.The Lions (7-2 overall, 4-0 district) close out the regular season at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov.

By Sam WallerThe season came to an abrupt end for the Albany Lady Lions Tuesday night when they lost their bid for a bi-district title to Sonora, the third place team from District 5-2A.The game, played at San Angelo Lake View, was over in three sets, 25-18, 25-22, 25-23.

By Sam WallerThe Albany Junior High Cubs football teams made what was supposed to be their final home appearances Thursday, Oct. 27, beating Hamlin at Robert Nail Memorial Stadium.The Cubs close out their season Thursday, Nov.

By Sam WallerHunting seasons for white-tailed deer and Rio Grande turkey open Saturday, Nov. 5 and run through Jan. 1.Game Warden Jacob Mort said the outlook for both seasons is down from a year ago.

By Sam WallerThe Nail Ranch team, which included three Albany students, won the overall title at the Working Ranch Cowboys Association’s North Texas Youth Ranch Rodeo on Saturday, Oct. 22 at Decatur.

By Melinda L. LucasPick-up dates for the November distribution of the commodity food program will be Thursday, Nov. 3 and Friday, Nov. 4.Certified families in Moran should pick up their monthly commodity food at the Moran City Hall between 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. on Nov. 3.