Albany Independent School District has scheduled a student holiday for Monday, Feb. 18, in honor of Presidents Day. 

Schools at both Albany campuses will release at the normal times on Friday, Feb. 15, and will resume classes at the normal times on Tuesday, Feb. 19, according to superintendent Jonathan Scott.

Presidents Day is not a district holiday, but is scheduled as a staff workday.

Staff can choose to “comp out” that day if they have enough staff development hours built up, according to Scott.

The outside of the new Scout Hut is basically complete, and currently work is focused on the inside of the structure, according to Ricky Lucas, who is doing most of the construction.

“The patio area is still in process, and we are considering putting up a fence on one side,” Lucas said. “We still need to do more ground leveling and haul some gravel before we put in a handicap ramp. However, it is has been too wet to haul stuff.”

Andy Haw-kins, who has been “on the run” since a warrant was issued for his arrest in July 2018, was apprehended Saturday in Moran, according to Shackelford County sheriff Ed Miller.

Chief deputy Johnny Freeman begun pursuit after Hawkins was spotted in Moran, and DPS trooper Chad Overton assisted.

Resisting arrest with a deadly weapon was added to Hawkins’ existing charges, which include attempted murder, assault family violence, evading arrest, interfering with emergency call, and unlawful restraint.

The Lady Lions edged out Eldorado Monday night in Coleman, 32-30, to win the bi-district championship and advance to the second round.

Albany (21-9) will face the Sundown Roughettes Friday in Colorado City in the area playoff. Tip off is set for 6:30 p.m.

Sundown (19-13), the winner from District 5-2A, beat Iraan 53-29 on Monday in their bi-district round.

The Lady Lions will serve as the visitors in Colorado City. Ticket prices are set at $3 and $2, and district and senior citizen passes will be honored.

The Lion basketball team traveled to Stamford on Tuesday for the regular season finale, hoping to bring home the district title by handing the Bulldogs a second loss.

Albany had to settle for second in District 8-2A after a 77-55 loss to Stamford.

The Lions (12-5, 7-3) will advance to the bi-district round of the playoffs next Monday or Tuesday, with the opponent to be decided in a District 7-2A tiebreaker for second place between Eldorado and Christoval.

Team and individual pictures of the seven Little Dribblers teams are scheduled this Saturday, Feb. 16, starting at 9:00 a.m.

The pictures will be taken in the lobby of the main gym.

Photo packets for youth basketball players, which were taken last month, will be ready for pickup next week at The Albany News.

Four Albany seniors are among the 278 top athletes and cheerleaders of the area who make up the 2019 all-star class for Big Country Chevy Dealers Fellowship of Christian Athletes All-Star Festival, announced Sunday.

Representing Albany High School will be Cameron Dacus on the Red football team, Cutter Edgar on the Blue football team, Joshua Dyer on the North baseball team, and Ryan Hill on the North men’s basketball team.

The football teams are designated by color, red and blue, because they are selected by an actual draft of players.

The Lady Lion softball team took the field for the first game this season on Tuesday, hosting Breckenridge at Webb City Park.

The Albany girls won the opener 7-5, even though several local starters didn’t play due to the basketball playoffs.

Albany will be on the road Friday and Saturday at the Eastland tournament. The Lady Lions are scheduled to play at 9:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. on Friday, followed by games at 4:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. on Saturday.

Coach Jimmy Fuentes reports that he has 18 players on the roster so far, with new players showing up just this week.

The seven local teams of Little Dribblers played their first sets of games last Saturday, Feb. 9, in Albany, while the fifth and sixth grade youth teams finished out their season playing in tournaments in Clyde and Eula with mixed results.

Results from the Little Dribblers games on Saturday were not available as of press time

Fifth Grade Boys

The fifth grade boys won their first game 39-9 over Clyde #2.

The community is invited to a band concert on Sunday, Feb. 24 at 2:00 p.m. in the high school gym, according to Albany band director John Stockdale.

“This is taking the place of our Christmas concert,” said Stockdale. “Because of football and other conflicts, we couldn’t fit it in until now. And I want to make sure that everyone knows that it will be in the gym this time, not the auditorium.”

The event is free, and everyone is welcome to attend. 

All of the school bands, fifth grade through high school will play at the concert.