Please Don’t Climb! As I looked across the street this morning, I saw a herd of boys headed to the practice field. Yes, it’s that time...football season. In 2007, we had an ex-student who wanted to donate something very special for our football stadium.

By Donnie A. Lucas Between team camp, the start of two-a-day practices and a set of scrimmages on Saturday, the Lady Lion volleyball players were more than busy last week. The action continued on Tuesday with the season opener at Jim Ned on Tuesday.

By Donnie A. Lucas Over 50 players showed up for the first day of summer football practice on Monday, with a total of 54 expected when the full roster is back for the daily workouts to prepare for the 2019 season.

Auddrena Lee West Larance Smith, 95, passed away Tuesday, July 30, 2019 at Providence Hospital in Waco, Texas. Funeral services were Saturday, Aug. 3, 2019 at Albany Church of Christ in Albany, Texas.

Perry Duff Simmons, 54, of Azle, passed away on Friday, Aug. 2, 2019 in Weatherford.  Funeral services cele-brating Perry’s life were held Monday, Aug. 5, 2019, at the Springtown United Methodist Church in Springtown, Texas. Burial followed at the Veal Station Cemetery.

James Monroe Lawrence, age 85, passed away peacefully on July 30, 2019 at Hendrick Hospice Care in Abilene, Texas. Monroe requested that there not be a funeral service since he donated his body to medical research.

By Melinda L. Lucas Children from pre-K age to those who have completed sixth grade are expected to have some “wild” and “Amazing Encounters with Jesus” during next week’s “In the Wild” Community Vacation Bible School.

By Donnie A. Lucas Workouts for the 2019 volleyball start Thursday (today), with only a couple of days of practice slated before the local squads hit the court for competition. New head coach M.J.

By Donnie A. Lucas Another football season will kick off on Monday with the start of the traditional summer workouts. Albany’s coaching staff is expecting about 50 players to show up for the first day of practice, which will be an increase over last year’s numbers.

Photographs taken of various teams and individuals by The Albany News since the beginning of the local coach pitch, softball and baseball seasons are available for pickup. Summer baseball and softball packages are priced at $18 plus tax.