By Kathy Thomson The Albany Independent School District 2019-2020 school year began today, Aug. 15, with classes starting at 7:55 a.m. on the elementary campus and five minutes later, at 8:00 a.m., for junior and senior high students.

By Kathy Thomson The Albany Chamber of Commerce’s bi-annual party at the Aztec Theater at 7:00 p.m. next Friday, Aug. 23 will feature both a look backwards into local history and will also honor three people who are helping Albany shine brightly toward the future.

By Kathy Thomson The Texas Department of Transportation has several road repair projects underway or in planning stages in Shackelford County, including rehabilitating and widening the roadway on Highway 283 north of town and resurfacing and roadway construction on Highway 6 south.

By Kathy Thomson School supplies are being accepted at the Kindred at Home health office in Albany during the company’s national campaign drive in August, and Tracy Sullivan recently picked up a donation from the Shackelford County EMS station that included just what the schools are requesting.

By Kathy Thomson Ag instructor Chris Beard, on behalf of the Vocational Agriculture Teachers Association of Texas, presented the Outstanding Chapter Advocate award to the Albany Kiwanis Club and Outstanding Chapter Newspaper award to The Albany News during the Albany ISD’s district breakfast last...

EDITOR’S NOTE: In last week’s Back-to-School special section, the News mistakenly switched two of the photos that went with the new teacher bios. Those two portions of the article are reprinted below. The News apologizes for this error.

By Kathy Thomson Several Albany churches traditionally schedule special events during the transition from summer to the start of the school year to encourage local students to take advantage of opportunities to plug into groups where they can grow in their faith while enjoying the fellowship of...

By Kathy Thomson Students who still need school physicals can make an appointment with one of two local clinics, including band students who have not previously been required to have exams.

By Kathy Thomson Albany sports fans are invited to attend the Athletic Booster Club’s annual hamburger supper next Monday, Aug. 12 at 6:00 p.m. in the Bank Park.  “Everybody is welcome; it’s a community event,” said Booster secretary Tisha Wilkins. “The ice cream is free! The hamburger meal is $7.

By Melinda L.