By Donnie A. Lucas

Albany students and staff were back in the classroom this week after a longer than usual Christmas break and will be off two days next week.

The next scheduled school holiday is set for Monday, Jan. 16 for Martin Luther King Day, followed by another day away from school on Friday, Jan. 20 for the local stock show.

Staff members will have “comp” days for both days, meaning they do not have to show up if they completed the required number of workshop days last summer.

By Donnie A. Lucas

An Albany junior will travel to Big Spring on Friday to prepare for the All-Region Band Concert on Saturday.

Ashley Sanchez earned a seat on the All-Region Band during tryouts held in December at Midland Greenwood High School. She placed 23rd chair out of 68 clarinet entries, earning 14th chair in the Symphonic All-Region Band, which is the second of three bands.

By Sam Waller

A group of about 35 youth and adult volunteers began the new year with the Albany Youth Ministry Winter Ski Trip and Christian Adventure.

The Jan. 2-6 trip to Crested Butte, Colorado, included three days of skiing as well as morning and evening activities.

“I’m super impressed with our kids from Albany and their desire to know more about Jesus and the Bible and how to implement that in their daily lives,” said Matthews Memorial Presbyterian youth minister Becky Wills, who oversaw this year’s trip.

By Sam Waller

Local churches have resumed their regular schedules now that the holidays have passed.

Wednesday night programs at First Baptist and  Friendship Baptist churches returned this week.

First Baptist Church

First Baptist’s Jesus and Me (JAM) children’s ministry and youth programs for junior high and high school students resumed Wednesday, Jan. 11.

“Wednesday nights are back to normal,” FBC’s Lori Schooler said. “We started this week with JAM. We’re so excited get going again.”

The family of LaVerrel Floyd Dennis Pittman would like to thank those who facilitated her memorial service at First Baptist Church, including mother’s pastor and friend John Tunnell, Kyle Viertel, Carolyn Hill, Kevin Hill, Myra Hise and the ladies that prepared and served the food for the family and friends.

By Sam Waller

Local beef producers have an opportunity to learn how to better manage wildlife and hunting on their land Friday, Jan. 13 as Shackelford County extension agent Kelsey Bell hosts a continuing education program at the Courthouse.

Registration for Managing Wildlife as a Beef Producer begins at 8:00 a.m. in the Shackelford County courtroom on the second floor of the Courthouse. Registration is $20 per person. Bell said no RSVP is required.

By Sam Waller

Shackelford County 4-H members continued preparations for the upcoming county livestock show with approximately 30 club members helping clean at the show barn Monday, Jan. 9 as their community service project for the month.

“Our job was sweeping the bleachers and sidewalks,” Shackelford County extension agent Kelsey Bell said. “We swept under the rabbit pens, picked up all the trash and cleaned the bathrooms. It went pretty quick with that many hands helping.”

By Sam Waller

The Shackelford Youth and Livestock Association is soliciting donations to help fund the 2023 county stock show.

Association president Bronco Askew said fundraising letters have been sent out, and board members are in the process of personally contacting prospective donors.

Tyler Beard graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agribusiness from Tarleton State University on Dec. 5, 2022.

Tyler graduated magna cum laude with an overall average of 3.9 GPA. A 2020 graduate of Albany High School, Beard is the son of Chris and Susie Beard of Albany.

By Sam Waller

Albany’s Parker Henry made his first foray into strongman competition a successful one, winning his weight class in the Big Country Showdown.

The event was held Saturday, Dec. 17 in Abilene, hosted by Riley Rodriguez of Heathen Training.

Henry won the 220- pound class, competing in events such as Atlas Stone, Viking Press, Truck Pull, Wagon Wheel Deadlift, and Hercules Grip.

And he won despite being bumped up a weight class.