By Donnie A. Lucas

The Ragin’ Red Band competed in the Wylie Marching Contest on Saturday in Abilene, bringing home a Division I and two Division II ratings.

“It was the best run-through of the show that we have had so far,” director Will Vaughan said. “We received a lot of comments and suggestions from the judges that will be helpful as a guide as we continue to prepare for UIL marching contest.”

The band will return to Wylie High School Oct. 18 for the annual UIL marching contest. Albany will be the first band to march at 2:15 p.m.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Albany ISD school staff and students are acknowledging Dyslexia Awareness Month by wearing red each Tuesday in October.

In addition, facts about dyslexia are being shared during Tuesday morning announcements.

October is National Dyslexia Awareness Month, with participants focusing on bringing more attention and support to people with one of the most prevalent language-based learning disabilities.

By Sam Waller

Shackelford County 4-H members conducted their first official meeting of the year Monday, electing officers and establishing service projects for the year.

Shackelford County extension agent Kelsey Bell said about 30 families attended the meeting with more than 50 4-Hers participating. Bell said the club has 76 members.

Junior officers elected were Tara Cauble, president; Trevor Bellah, vice president; Artie Bell, secretary; Carly Kreitler, treasurer; Gage Burton, reporter; and Luke Smith, parliamentarian.

Albany High School sophomore Cort Peterson has been awarded a blue ribbon from the State Fair of Texas.

Peterson won Designer Craftsman: Leathercraft Junior Division (13-17 year olds) with a hand-tooled backpack he made for a student at Texas Tech.

“Cort was encouraged to enter by a friend familiar with the Creative Arts Department of the State Fair of Texas,” his mother Audrey Peterson said.

The piece will be on display for the duration of the State Fair in the Creative Arts Building near Gate 2. The State Fair opened Sept. 24 and will conclude Oct. 17.

By Ginger Bartee

Ex-students from the Albany High School classes of 1960 through1969 met Saturday at the Stasney Ranch Cookshack for a reunion and luncheon hosted by Dr. Richard Stasney, Class of 1961.

About 80 people including spouses attended the event, enjoying a lunch of soup and sandwiches, followed by fellowship, many stories from the past, and ending with group pictures of each class and another picture taken including all the attendees.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The number of positive COVID-19 test results slowed over the last two weeks, but local residents are still urged to use caution and consider taking the vaccine if they haven’t already.

A total of 33 tests with six positives were recorded for the week of Sept. 20-24, followed by 31 tests and 12 positives for the week of Sept. 27 through Oct. 1.

The total for the two-week period is less than the 66 tests with 20 positives logged during the week of Sept. 13-17.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The Fandangle Association has set its annual membership meeting for next Tuesday, Oct. 12 at the Albany Visitors Center.

The meeting will start at 5:30 p.m., with five positions on the board of directors up for election and the vote on the 2022 show on the agenda.

Members of the board whose three-year terms are ending are Lesley Jones, Dustin Parsons, Lauren Willen, John Ayers, and Shelly Bartee.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Results of a broadband survey conducted in the spring were released in September with data providing access to government programs to improve internet service and speeds available in Shackelford County.

The survey was conducted by Connected Nation Texas, a non-profit company, and paid for by Texas Rural Funders at no cost to the county.

By Sam Waller

Fort Griffin State Historic Site will provide a look into the fort’s past with its Living History Days on Friday and Saturday.

Site manager Mitch Baird said about 80 reenactors are expected to take part in the event with more than 600 school children expected for Friday’s School Day.

The event is returning after being put on hiatus last year because of COVID-19 concerns.

By Melinda L. Lucas

The 300 ticket holders for the Friends of Fort Griffin Gala this Saturday, Oct. 9 can start checking in at 6:00 p.m. at Griffin Flat on the Collins Creek Ranch, according to event coordinator Susan Waller.

Seats for the annual fundraiser, which will feature a performance by the world famous Larry, Steve, & Rudy: The Gatlin Brothers, were sold out more than a month ago.