By Donnie A. LucasA small group of just nine students opened the 2023 UIL academic season last Saturday in Haskell, with several placing and three teams taking first place.

By Donnie A. LucasThe high school Winter Formal is set for Saturday at the Whitney Theatre from 7:30 to 10:00 p.m.Sponsored by the Albany Student Council, the event is open only to high school students and guests who have been pre-approved.The crowning of Mr. and Miss AHS will be held at 9:00 p.m.

By Donnie A. LucasGeneral Education Development  (GED) classes have resumed with the start of the spring semester and are being held on Mondays and Tuesdays at the Shackelford County Library.Instructor Kenzie Fairchild said anyone interested in registering for classes may still do so.

Elia Hebel is among the students listed on the Dean’s List of Academic Honors for fall 2022 semester at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas. They are undergraduates who have achieved a grade point average of at least 3.5 out of a perfect 4.

Two Albany students were recognized for their achievements at Tarleton State University for the fall 2022 semester.Max Balliew was  commended for the outstanding academic achievement of earning a 4.0 GPA and making the President’s List for the Fall 2022 semester of Tarleton State College.

By Sam WallerThe Albany Lions, along with fellow state champion football teams from Hawley, Benjamin, and Westbrook, were honored Sunday, Jan. 22 at a reception hosted by the Big Country Athletic Hall of Fame at the Mall of Abilene.

By Sam WallerAlbany’s Judson Rogers caught a calf Tuesday, Jan. 17 during the calf scramble at the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo.For his efforts, Rogers received a $500 certificate to purchase a registered beef or dairy heifer to be shown at next year’s Fort Worth show.

A Celebration of Life was held for former Albany resident Ann Elaine Speck Steele after she passed away on Dec. 23, 2022 in Schulenburg, Texas.Born Feb. 7, 1944, she came to Albany with her parents, who were both educators.Ann was an OR nurse who taught five medical surgery classes for 35 years.

By Sam WallerApproximately 150 Shackelford County youth will exhibit around 250 animals this weekend at the Shackelford Youth and Livestock Show.This year’s show runs Thursday, Jan. 19 (today), through Saturday, Jan. 21.

By Donnie A. LucasAlbany resident Brandi Lehew has been named as the new manager of the Albany Chamber of Commerce, starting the position this week with regular office hours.