By Donnie A. LucasA group of 20 Albany FCCLA members competed at the Regional Leadership Conference last week in Waco, with both Parliamentary Procedure teams and two other paired partners advancing to the state  conference.

By Donnie A. LucasThe Ragin’ Red Band is preparing for concert and sight reading competition set for March 28 at Cooper High School in Abilene, hoping to repeat last year’s Sweepstakes Award by bringing home a pair of Division I ratings.

By Melinda L. LucasAlbany ISD students, facultyand staff are scheduled to be dismissed at the regular times on Friday, March 10 for the week-long spring break holiday.The preschool classes will release at 2:30 p.m. as usual. All other classes will be dismissed at 3:00 p.m.

By Sam WallerShackelford County 4-H members Faith Fry and Grace Fry were the first locals to come away with awards from the Houston Livestock Show as both posted top-10 finishes in the horse judging contest.In the senior division, Faith Fry placed seventh overall and second in reasons.

By Sam WallerThe Albany Lions baseball team remained undefeated last week, winning two games at the weather-shortened Bonham/Bells tournament.The Lions (4-1) played 4A Vernon in their home opener Tuesday, March 7, losing 7-4. Details will be reported next week.

By Sam WallerThe Lady Lions softball team closed out its tournament schedule last week by going 2-3 Thursday-Saturday, March 2-4 at the Clifton tournament.

By Sam WallerThe Albany track and field teams were left with nowhere to run Thursday, March 2 with the cancellation of the Bangs meet.Albany athletes return to action Thursday, March 9 (today) at Cisco.

By Sam WallerThe Albany Lions golf team shot five rounds under 90 Monday, March 6 to finish second in the team standings at the Eula tournament at Baird’s Shady Oaks Golf Course.Albany’s Myleigh Leveridge played in the girls division Wednesday, March 8. Results will be reported next week.

By Sam WallerThe Albany tennis team came away with nine medals, including five gold, Tuesday, Feb. 28 in a two-team competition with Hawley at Rose Park Tennis Center in Abilene.Albany will host its tournament Thursday, March 9 (today). Coach M.J. Reneau said action will get underway at 8:30 a.m.

By Sam WallerFor former Shackelford County judge Ross Montgomery, a brief stint in the National Football League was just a precursor to his true calling.After two seasons as a running back with the Chicago Bears, Montgomery left the gridiron behind to take a job with Exxon in Houston.