Hundreds of Albany Lions and Lady Lions supporters filled the Clear Fork Bank Park on Monday, August 11, for the annual ice cream supper that marks the start of the fall sports season. The long-running event once again gave the community a chance to meet the athletes and hear directly from the coaches about the year ahead.

Athletes from JV and varsity football, volleyball, cross country, and cheerleading took the stage to introduce themselves. Each coach spoke about their team’s preparations and expectations for the season.

The Shackelford County 4-H program recently concluded another successful year with its annual awards banquet held Saturday, August 9, where members were recognized for their project completions and outstanding achievements.

The new 4-H year is now getting underway with planning strategies this month and a formal kickoff in September.

“The rest of August will be spent meeting with the officer teams and adult leaders to plan, and we’ll kick off our new year in September,” Shackelford County Extension Agent and 4-H sponsor Kelsey Bell said. “We don’t have a date set yet.”

Teachers of the Year for the 2024-2025 school year were recognized during the annual Staff Breakfast last Wednesday, Aug. 6, held at The Feed Store, marking the start of the new school year. The awards, selected by peers, highlight the dedication and impact of outstanding educators in the Albany Independent School District.

Nancy Smith Elementary School honored Roxanne LeMay, a 10-year Albany teaching veteran currently instructing kindergarten. LeMay has also taught second grade during her time with the district.

A devastating house fire broke out shortly after midnight in Moran on August 4, leaving a local family with nothing. The home, occupied by a family of six, was declared a total loss after the flames burned intensely for several hours. Thankfully, no injuries were reported.

You may have noticed the paper looks and feels a little different this week. That’s because this issue marks the beginning of a new printing partnership for The Albany News. After many years of being printed in Lubbock, we’ve officially moved our printing operations to Midway Press in Dallas.

Final results from the Texas Education Agency show Albany ISD students performed well on the spring 2025 STAAR and End of Course exams, with AISD passing rates well above statewide averages in most subjects.

Leigh Lowe, Albany ISD director of student services, said the district is seeing consistent performance and encouraging growth.

“Scores remain steady and we are showing growth in the Meets and Masters categories,” Lowe said. “In most areas we are close to or above the region and state averages in the targeted categories.” 

The Albany Mainstreet Playhouse is preparing to close out its 2024–2025 season later this month with a production of The Curious Savage, a classic comedy by John Patrick that brings together a lively cast of local and regional performers.

Directed by Lorna Ayers, The Curious Savage will run August 22–24 at the Aztec Theater, with evening shows on Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and a Sunday matinee at 2:30 p.m.

For the fourth month in a row, Albany recorded above-average rainfall—though July’s total came with a twist. The town received 6.36 inches of rain, nearly triple the historical July average of 2.27 inches. Nearly all of that total fell during the first few days of the month, including a single-day downpour of 4.65 inches on July 4.

The rest of the month saw little to no measurable rain, as high temperatures and dry conditions returned. Despite the impressive monthly total, it hasn’t felt like a wet month in recent weeks, and the Shackelford County burn ban is now back in effect.

Albany High School graduates Avery Everitt and Julia Vega have been named to the 2025 All-State Journalism Staff by the Interscholastic League Press Conference, marking the third consecutive year both students have received the statewide honor.

Students must earn at least 50 points through ILPC awards and placements in UIL journalism contests to qualify for the staff, which recognizes the top high school journalists from schools of all classifications across Texas.

Moran ISD opened the 2025-26 school year Monday, Aug. 4, with 73 students present for the first day of classes. 

According to office staff member Jeannie Ten Cate, three more students were added to the rolls Tuesday, bringing the total to 76.

The district continues its four-day school week for the new year. Classes are held Monday through Thursday, with Fridays off. 

There will be no school on Monday, Sept. 1, in observance of Labor Day.

New Cell Phone Policy