The Fort Griffin Fandangle opened its 88th season with strong crowds over the weekend, drawing more than 1,500 people to the Prairie Theater for the first two performances of the 2026 production.

Friday night’s opening performance attracted a large audience, while Saturday night’s show was nearly sold out.

Saturday was one of the busiest days of the weekend as visitors filled downtown Albany for the annual Fandangle Parade and other activities before making their way to the Prairie Theater that evening.

Reba Jane Moberley- Bender

The Fort Griffin Fandangle will open its 88th season Friday night at the Prairie Theater, beginning two weekends of performances that annually draw thousands of visitors to Albany.

The first performances of the 2026 production are scheduled for Friday and Saturday, June 19-20, with the final two shows set for June 26-27.

If you’ve spent any time on Facebook lately, chances are you’ve seen one of Jacob Cleveland’s bee removal videos.

Over the past several weeks, the Albany pest control owner has posted photos and videos showing massive honeycombs hidden under pool decks, inside chimneys and beneath roofs. The posts have attracted plenty of attention, with residents often sharing them and tagging friends who might have a bee problem of their own.

The online exposure has also helped spread the word about Cleveland’s work.

By Kelsey Bell

Shackelford County

Extension Agent

Those of us that work in agriculture and wildlife industries have been watching the Northern advancement of the New World Screwworm since 2023. Unfortunately, it’s now getting way too close for us to be comfortable. As of the writing of this article, 12 cases of NWS have been confirmed in six Texas counties, with the furthest northern case being in Tom Green County, roughly 100 miles from us.

The second annual Ben Richey Boys Ranch Bass Roundup brought anglers from across Texas to Hubbard Creek Lake on June 13, raising more than $10,000 for the Boys Ranch while paying out more than $54,000 in tournament and Calcutta winnings.

Hosted by Goodnight Steakhouse and the Here­ford Motel, the event drew 39 teams for a weekend of fishing, fellowship and friendly competition. Organizers said support from anglers, sponsors and attendees helped make the tournament another success in its second year.

Gene Gray

Glen “Gene” Gray, 83, of Fort Worth, passed away peacefully at home on April 24, 2026, surrounded by his loving family. A devoted husband, father, proud grandfather, respected banker, and philanthropist, Gene lived a life marked by generosity, integrity, and unwavering dedication to those he loved.

On Saturday night, a sold-out crowd packed Billy Bob’s Texas to watch one of the fastest-rising bands in the country take the stage.

Among them was Albany High School graduate Ty Anderson.

For many Texas musicians, performing at Billy Bob’s is a career milestone. Selling it out is something else entirely.

Albany’s 7-on-7 football team advanced through state qualifying play Friday in Abilene and will compete in the Texas 7-on-7 State Tournament June 25-27 in College Station after a strong all-around performance highlighted by offensive execution and defensive playmaking.

Albany’s roster includes Bennett Neece, Colter Edgar, Rhyland Parsons, Lyle Wheeler, Aiden Vickers, Wesley Gleitz, Cash Edgar, Christian Hernandez, Landrin Archuleta, Blake Britting and Jakobi Roberson.

What started as a weekend road trip to Branson, Missouri, ended in victory for Team Grease Worms.

The Albany-based team of Robert Snyder, Craig Winters, Matt Birkla and Blake Estridge returned from the 2026 Buffalo Run Adventure Challenge after raising $270,665 for Camp Able, earning top fundraising honors among all participating teams and helping push the overall fundraiser past the $1 million mark for the first time.