By Melinda L. Lucas With the annual campaign to raise funds for local organizations starting in October, board members of the Albany Chest will meet next week to organize the 2021 fundraising drive and elect new directors. The meeting is set for Wednesday, Sept. 1 at 5:15 p.m. at The Feed Store.

By Melinda L. Lucas A special meeting to adopt the 2021-2022 budget and tax rate for the Albany Independent School District is set for 7:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 31, the last day that the budget can be adopted, according to state law.

By Donnie A. Lucas Albany ISD picked up a few new students since the first day of classes on Aug. 18, reporting a total enrollment of 508 on Monday of this week. “Our enrollment is slightly more than it was last year at this time,” superintendent Jonathan Scott said.

By Donnie A. Lucas The first weekly luncheon provided by The Feed Store to juniors and seniors was served on Tuesday to a total of 48 students. Feed Store executive director Tisha Wilkins was pleased with the number of students who attended. “We had a great turnout,” she said.

By Melinda L. Lucas In addition to upcoming youth and children’s activities signaling the start of the school year, a couple of events are being planned for local women in the next couple of weeks, one of them a single-night “encouragement” program and the other an in-depth weekly Bible study.

By Sam Waller The Moran Bulldog football team kicks off its regular season at 7:30 p.m. Friday against the Benjamin Mustangs at Benjamin’s Ben Grill Field. “Benjamin is going to be pretty good from what I’ve seen on film,” Moran coach John Hughes said.

By Sam Waller Registration is underway for the Albany Chamber of Commerce annual garage sale, which is scheduled for Sept. 11. “We are getting people signed up,” Chamber manager Mary Beth Jones said.

By Sam WallerThe Albany Lions football team had its last dress rehearsal for the season on Thursday, Aug. 19, with its second scrimmage against the Hawley Bearcats.Now, the Lions turn their attention to Friday’s season opener at Colorado City.

By Sam WallerThe Albany Lady Lions volleyball team remained undefeated by sweeping Olney on Aug. 17 and Eastland on Friday.The Lady Lions were scheduled to play Ranger on Tuesday in their District 6-2A opener.

By Sam Waller The Albany Golf Club is still accepting names for a waiting list for its annual Labor Day tournament even though the tournament field is full. “We have not had any cancellations yet,” Golf Club board member James Waters said. “We’ve got several teams on the waiting list.