By Sam Waller

Three Moran students competed in the Region II-1A academic meet held Saturday, April 22 at Angelo State University.

Terra Thompson was entered in Computer Science, Tyler Waddell in Social Studies, and Ellis Hise in Mathematics.

While none advanced to the state meet, Moran principal Jo Hise said the experience was a positive one for the students.

“All three did better at regional than they did at district,” she said. “We’re very proud of them for qualifying. Two of them get another shot next year.”

By Sam Waller

The 2023 Old Glory Relay will pass through Albany Thursday, May 4 (today), on its way across the country.

The Old Glory Relay is a coast-to-coast trip with military veterans carrying a U.S. flag.

“Over the last several years, an organization called Team Red White & Blue has done this relay across the country,” event volunteer Andrew Pohlmann said. “It typically starts on the west coast and makes its way over 40 or 50 days.”

By Melinda L. Lucas

Representatives of the Shackelford County Youth & Livestock Association were at commissioners court on Monday, April 24 to propose extensive improvements and additions to the county-owned show barn, with estimates falling in the $150,000 to $200,000 range.

Chris Edgar, Bronco Askew, and Reggie Spencer outlined the association’s plans for the facility, which is used mainly for the annual county stock show in January, as well as a major fundraising pig sale in the fall.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Two Albany High students qualified to advance to the UIL State Academic Meet in Austin after placing in the top three at the Region 2 Academic Meet in Denison last Friday.

A total of six local students advanced to the Region 2 meet, with three placing in the top six.

Junior Sidney Russell placed second in Feature Writing, along with sophomore Avery Everitt taking third in the same event to earn their first trip to the state meet.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Albany native Justin Rodriguez died in a one-vehicle rollover six miles south of Albany on Hwy. 6 last Thursday night, April 20.

A 911 call from the first motorist on the scene was recorded at 8:46 p.m. Initially, it was believed that there was a passenger, but a second call to the dispatcher clarified that Rodriguez was the only one involved in the accident.

Pick-up dates for the May distribution of the commodity food program will be Thursday, May 4 and Friday, May 5.

Families in Moran should pick up their food at Moran City Hall 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, May 4, while Albany recipients can pick up on Friday, May 5, 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. at the JP office.

By Melinda L. Lucas

“Sight For All,” a free preliminary vision screening event in Albany is set for this Saturday, April 29 in Friendship Baptist Church’s Activity Building.

Sponsored by the Albany Lions Club, the four-hour clinic is open to ages 2 and older from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., and checks participants for need of glasses, lazy eye, cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Rehearsals for the summer production of the Fort Griffin Fandangle will start on May 7 with the children’s numbers and continue almost nightly throughout the rest of the month and during June.

General rehearsals for major scenes will also begin the week of May 8, with practice held on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays, according to the schedule.

The performance dates for the show this year are June 16-17 and June 23-24, with the annual parade set for Saturday, June 17.

By Sam Waller

Deadline for horse validation in advance of the Shackelford County Horse Show is Monday, May 1.

The inaugural show, which gained approval from the Shackelford Youth and Livestock Association earlier this month, is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. Saturday, May 6 at the Fikes Arena on FM 601.

Shackelford County extension agent Kelsey Bell said the validation process is all online at  texasyouthlivestock.com/horse-validation.

By Sam Waller

The garden work day at the Ben Richey Boys Ranch Albany location has been tentatively rescheduled for Wednesday, May 3, weather permitting.

Weekend showers delayed the event from the original April 23 date.

Organizer Alicia Burton said the goal is to provide the Boys Ranch with a steady supply of fresh fruits and vegetables.

“They get a lot of food from the Food Bank in Abilene, but it is typically hardest for them to get fresh fruits and vegetables on a regular basis,” she said.