By Kathy Thomson Albany High School students were the second place journalism team and the second place science team at the Stamford UIL Invitational meet on Saturday, Feb. 22, and Luke Ivy won the chemistry section of the science contest.

By Kathy Thomson Juniors Sidney Bartee and Tristan Edgar both competed at the UIL Region 6 East Zone Band Solo and Ensemble competition held at Abilene High on Saturday, Feb. 22. Bartee earned a Division 1 rating, and Edgar was given a Division 2 rating, with both girs playing Class 1 solos.

By Melinda L. Lucas Shackelford County elected officials are combing through three IT bids opened Monday, Feb. 24, with plans to meet with each vendor separately in the next couple of weeks before making a decision. Sealed bids were received from Computer Transition Services Inc.

By Kathy Thomson Everyone is invited to attend next Monday’s public performance of The 39 Steps, the one-act play Albany High School students will take to district competition next week. The free production will be given at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, March 2, in the AHS auditorium.

By Melinda L. Lucas The Old Jail Art Center will celebrate International Kite Month with a first ever Kites Around the World Family Festival on Saturday, March 7.

The Hendrick Regional Blood Center bloodmobile will be at Albany High School next Monday, March 3 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., then at First Baptist Church on Thursday, March 5 from 1:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m.

By Melinda L. Lucas Almost 93 percent of the 2019 tax levy had been collected with the required Jan.

By Donnie A. Lucas It was a true cat fight in Tuscola on Monday, with the Lions and the Christoval Cougars clawing their way to a 33-33 tie at the end of regulation time in the bi-district round of the Class 2A playoffs.

By Kathy Thomson County winners at the San Antonio Livestock Show and Rodeo last week included several family members, two of whom claimed second place ribbons in back-to-back swine classes on Monday, Feb. 17.

By Melinda L. Lucas A few members of Albany High School’s tennis team saw their first action of the 2020 season on Feb. 20, traveling to Rose Park in Abilene to participate in the Hawley Invitational Tournament.