By Melinda Lucas

Albany’s 7-on-7 team is on the practice field this week as players get ready for their upcoming trip to the Division III State Tournament, set for June 26-27 in College Station.

Albany punched its ticket at an Abilene state qualifier on June 6 with four straight wins – beating Merkel, Dublin, Miles, and edging Tolar 21-19 in the championship – to earn its sixth trip to the state event since 2015 and the first since 2023.

By Melinda Lucas

Albany will be bustling with activity this weekend and next as Fort Griffin Fandangle performances return for their final two weekends – June 20-21 and June 27-28. Each performance day brings with it a host of free events, concerts, museum activities, and community traditions, perfect for visitors and locals alike.

By Melinda Lucas

Shackelford County 4-H members earned top honors at the 2025 State 4-H Roundup and District 7 Horse Show this June, with standout performances in both horse judging and equestrian events.

“Our senior horse judging team competed at State 4-H Roundup June 4. I am so proud of these ladies!” said Shackelford County Extension Agent Kelsey Bell. “Grace Fry, Bradee Stautzenberger, and Madailein Beard made up our team this year. Grace came away with 2nd place in Reasons!”

I played with an 8-year-old girl around the corner. I was 8 also. She got polio and I never saw her again, except once being wheeled in a wheelchair to the car. How come her? I lived 150 feet from her house. Why not me?

Then someone close to my age at 15 died. I asked, “Why?” And I asked myself what is death? I had no answer.