By Donnie A. Lucas Albany ISD announced last week that students in all grade levels will be provided free meals for the 2021-2022 school year after being included in a COVID-19 recovery grant program offered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

By Donnie A. Lucas Albany teachers and staff started back to work this week in anticipation of students arriving on Aug. 18, and with the new year comes a new slogan that embodies the theme for the year.

By Sidney Bartee Albany ISD’s annual “Meet the Teacher” night and new student orientation are scheduled for Monday, Aug. 16. Meet the Teacher “Meet the Teacher” will begin at 5:00 p.m. for Head Start and pre-K through second grade students, while third through sixth grade will meet at 5:30 p.m.

By Sidney Bartee Several Albany churches traditionally hold special events during the transition from summer to the start of the school year, but due to COVID and other changes, many churches have not been able to hold their usual events.

By Sidney Bartee The United Pentecostal Church’s annual Back to School Bash will be held on Saturday, Aug.21 at the church on Cook Field Road, beginning at 10:00 a.m. All students from kindergarten through 12th grade are invited to attend the celebration along with their friends and families.

By Sidney Bartee The show will go on for CareFest 2021 on Aug. 28. The event will feature nine well-known musicians and bands. CareFest will take place at Happy Wife Happy Life Wedding and Event Venue outside of Albany.

By Sidney Bartee Members of the Ragin’ Red Band are hosting a Community Night, scheduled for the last evening of summer band rehearsals, Monday, Aug. 16, with a special program beginning at 8:00 p.m. at Robert Nail Memorial Stadium.

By Sam Waller The Albany Lady Lions began their volleyball season Tuesday evening at Breckenridge after a weekend of scrimmages. Now, the Lady Lions face another busy weekend as they host their Summer Slam tournament.

By Sam Waller The field for the Albany Golf Club’s Labor Day tournament is almost full with just one spot remaining. “I’m full up in the afternoon and have one spot available in the morning,” Golf Club board member James Waters said. The two-person scramble is scheduled for Sept. 4-5.

By Sam Waller The Albany Lions football team has moved on to the next phase of its preseason with the commencement of full-contact workouts, and the players will cap their second week with their first intersquad scrimmage.