By Donnie A. Lucas

Board members of the Albany Chest will meet at 5:15 pm. next Wednesday, Sept. 13 at the Feed Store to elect officers and directors.

Directors include Chris Beard, Mike Bean, Robert Dacus, and Daivis Gallagher, whose terms end this year. All are eligible to serve another term.

Other board members serving currently are chair Jana Kitchens, vice chair Melinda Lucas, secretary Tisha Wilkins, treasurer Kalico Leech, parliamentarian Sara Wilson, Kristie Smith, Tracy Sullivan, and Jenny Scott.

By Melinda L. Lucas

A total of seven Albany High newspaper students have been named to the 2022-23 All-State Journalism Staff awarded by the Interscholastic League Press Conference.

May graduates Leddie Leech, Ashley Richards, and Mayson Garcia each tallied the points required to earn a position on the statewide staff that is recognized by the Interscholastic League Press Conference, the journalism branch of the University Interscholastic League.

Joining them are current juniors Julia Vega and Avery Everitt, as well as seniors Robyn Trail and Sidney Russell.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Enrollment for local GED classes has been set for Monday, Sept. 11 at the Shackelford County Library starting at 5:30 p.m., according to instructor Kenzie Fairchild.

Anyone interested in enrolling in the free classes must bring a photo identification and Social Security card in order to sign up.

Students will be able to register for the class, as well as take locator exams for language arts and math to determine where their skills are.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Parents of students attending Nancy Smith Elementary are invited to attend a meeting on Tuesday if they need assistance using the Ascender/Gradebook program or Google Classroom.

The Sept. 12 meeting will start at 5:00 p.m., and those attending will enter through the main front doors to be escorted to the meeting room.

Office staff and teachers will be on hand to show parents how to navigate both programs, principal John Gallagher said.

By Donnie A. Lucas

A new federal program started Sept. 1 for students who have been identified as eligible to receive reduced-price meals to now get free breakfast through the 2024-2025 school year.

The funding is part of a program authorized by the Federal Agriculture Department, but only applies to students whose parents filled out the Free and Reduced Meal paperwork and were approved to receive reduced pricing for meals.

By Sam Waller

Mothers Day Out childcare program begins its new year Friday, Sept. 8 with a full enrollment.

Director Meg Walser, who previously served as a teacher for several years, said 20 children ages 1 to 5 will meet 8:15 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. Mondays and Fridays at Matthews Memorial Presbyterian Church.

“We’re going to do Bible study on Mondays and music on Fridays,” she said. “We’ll go monthly to the library for story time. The teachers follow the curriculum and have activities planned.”

By Sam Waller

First Baptist Church of Albany is offering a Parents Night Out childcare program once a month starting Saturday, Sept. 16.

The program offers a fun-filled night for children six weeks old through sixth grade.

“Kids can come and eat and play games while the parents enjoy some time, whether a date night or just some time to get some things done without the kids underfoot,” FBC children’s minister Ginger Bumguardner said.

By Sam Waller

The Feed Store will hold its second Fifth Quarter youth gathering Friday, Sept. 8 following Albany’s home football game against Seymour.

The postgame events are sponsored by the Albany Ministerial Alliance and are open to all junior high and high school students. The gatherings will run from the end of each game until 11:00 p.m.

Albany Methodist Church and Trinity Lutheran Church will serve snacks and drinks following the Albany-Seymour game.

By Sam Waller

The start of dove season saw continued extreme heat, but a surprise rain shower early this week cooled things off for a few hours.

“It didn’t hurt us,” said Justin Trail, who guides hunts throughout the area. “I don’t know if it was enough to help us, but it certainly hasn’t hurt.”

Trail said that while having the season open on a weekend provided a surge of shooters getting out, the activity is just ramping up.

By Sam Waller

A day-long fundraiser to assist Albany resident Willie Mosley with medical expenses is planned for Saturday, Sept. 9 at the Jackson Warehouse.

Big Country Piggin, of which Mosley is a member, and the Timothy Project will host a concert and corn-hole tournament to benefit Mosley, who was seriously injured several weeks ago in an accidental shooting.

In addition to Saturday’s event, an account for Mosley has been established at Clear Fork Bank.

Sign-in for the cornhole tournament will start at 8:00 a.m. with competition starting at 10:00 a.m.