The Albany sixth and seventh grade bands won top marks by the judges at the Clyde band festival on Friday, April 26. “They did very well,” said band director John Stockdale. “Both bands got straight 1’s.

Parents of Albany High School graduating seniors are reminded to gather baby pictures for The Albany News’ upcoming graduation section. Pictures are due by Thursday, May 9.

Everyone in Albany is invited to the First Christian Church Labyrinth at 12:00 noon today, May 3, for a community-wide prayer and worship gathering during the National Day of Prayer (NDP).

District, area, and state wide FFA contests took place last week and local ag students competed at some of the events.

USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) recently announced that higher levels of coverage will be offered through the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP), a popular safety net program, beginning April 8.

The Texas A&M Agri-Life Extension Service in Callahan and Shackelford Counties are partnering together to conduct a private pesticide applicator training session on Monday, May 13 in Baird, with a deadline of this Friday.

A house fire in Brownwood at 6:30 a.m. on the morning of April 18 caused major damage to the home of Albany alumnus Aidalu Delgado Price, and although the family is fine and has a temporary place to live, the home was uninsured.

Pick-up dates for the May distribution of the commodity food program are May 2 and 3. On Thursday, May 2, certified eligible families in Moran should pick up their monthly commodity food at the Moran City Hall between 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon.

The Texas Historical Commission announced that everyone is invited to visit the THC Historic Sites, including Fort Griffin, free of charge this Sunday, May 5, from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.

The latest episode of “Texas Country Reporter” features the local Beehive restaurant and owner Ali Esfandiary, along with Cactus Book Shop owner Felton Cochran, Buffalo soldier painter Bob Snead, and the show’s host Bob Phillips.  Episode 1652 aired on Abilene’s KTXS (channel 12) at 6:30 p.m.