By Kathy Thomson Children at Nancy Smith Elementary School will join others around the nation observing Read Across America Day next Monday, March 2. Read Across America Day was inaugurated in 1998 by the National Education Association, and is held every year in early March.

By Donnie A. Lucas Advancing to the third round of the Class 2A playoffs for the first time in 25 years, the Lady Lions faced the familiar Stamford Lady Bulldogs on Tuesday, suffering a season-ending 49-39 loss.

By Kathy Thomson The season of Lent began on Feb. 26, Ash Wednesday, and at least two local churches have special activities during the weeks leading up to Easter, which will be cele-brated on April 12. Trinity Lutheran Church members will host a Lent service at 7:00 p.m.

By Donnie A. Lucas Junior high track teams traveled to Knox City on Monday, earning a number of medals and ribbons. The four teams will compete at Breckenridge on Tuesday, March 3, starting at 3:30 p.m. Results for both girls teams were received, but records weren’t kept for the boys teams.

By Donnie A. Lucas The Lady Lion softball team is off to a strong start, winning three of the first four games. Albany will play in the Stephenville tournament on Thursday through Saturday, playing two games each day. Albany will play South Hills at 2:15 p.m. on Thursday, followed by a 5:45 p.m.

By Kathy Thomson Albany siblings Newt and Alayna Koemel have both developed a passion for meat, not just eating it, but spending hours in cold lockers learning about meat science, competing on meat judging teams, and pursing a college degree and future career in the field.

By Kathy Thomson Boys and girls on Albany Little Dribblers teams played their third set of games last weekend on Saturday, Feb. 22, and will finish out their year this Saturday, Feb. 29. Three girls teams and four boys teams are each playing two games every Saturday throughout the season.

By Kathy Thomson Albany junior Wesley Estridge placed first in the super heavy weight class at the Greenwood Invitational powerlifting meet on Saturday, Feb. 22, with a total lift of 1570 pounds. The Albany junior has secured a spot at the regional meet, which will be held March 14 in Sundown.

By Kathy Thomson The National Weather Service (NWS), with the help of local organizations, conducts SkyWarn classes each spring all over the nation, including two scheduled in area towns over the next few days. This Saturday, Feb.

By Donnie A. Lucas The 2020 baseball season will open this week with the Albany JV Tournament, set for Thursday through Saturday. The varsity Lions are on the calendar to open the season March 5-7 at the Hamlin tournament.