By Lynsi Musselman

Another West Texas Fair and Rodeo in Abilene has come and gone after running from Sept. 4-19, with an extra week added to spread out events this year.

This past Friday and Saturday and last weekend of the fair included several Shackelford County youth participating in the junior steer show and in the youth open swine show.

“The kids did a great job preparing their animals for the shows,” said Chris Beard, FFA advisor. “All the exhibitors represented Shackelford County well during the span of the fair this year.”

By Melinda L. Lucas

Color photo packets taken of junior high and high school football and volleyball players by The Albany News are ready for pickup, along with those of all cheerleaders. 

Junior high football packages arrived this week. 

Only packages that have already been paid or could be charged to an account in good standing were printed. Others can be ordered when paid.

By Lynsi Musselman

The 13th Annual Albany Kiwanis Charity/John Rose & Jim Law Memorial Golf Tournament and Fajita Fiesta will take place at the Albany Golf Course on Friday, Oct. 2.

Organizer Jim Nobles said there are several partcipants so far, and he expects the tournament to fill up.

“If anyone still would like to sign up, they better to do it quick,” Nobles added.

The four-person scramble is $50 per golfer, with the fee to include a Fajita Fiesta meal provided by Albany Kiwanis Club on Friday before the start of the tournament.

By Lynsi Musselman

The Masonic Lodge in Albany hosted a golf tournament last Saturday, Sept. 19 to benefit the Masonic Wisdom Foundation that funds scholarships to graduating seniors in Albany.

Out of the 10 four-man teams, first place winners were Charles Barrett, James Waters, Randy Walker, and Rodney Barton.

Albany Masonic Lodge member John Tate said the winners were awarded $900.

“The team did not keep their earnings but instead donated the money to the Foundation,” Tate explained.

By Melinda L. Lucas

With two more COVID-19 cases at the Albany’s secondary campus, making a total of five since the school year started, there are still just three active, as two students returned to their classrooms this week after the required 10 days of quarantine.

The three newest cases are all AISD staff members, according to announcements sent out by superintendent Jonathan Scott.

By Lynsi Musselman

Two Shackelford County youth exhibitors participated at the West Texas Fair and Rodeo in Abilene last weekend with junior heifers.

Myleigh Leveridge took home third place with her black maintainer heifer, and fifth place with her shorthorn plus heifer.

Gracie Price placed sixth with her class one other regular breed, and claimed seventh place with her Charolais heifer class six.

FFA advisor Chris Beard said that Shackelford County youth will show steers and swine next weekend.

By Lynsi Musselman

Polo on the Prairie, originally scheduled for May 2020 and then resceduled for Sept. 26, has been now been cancelled for 2020.

The event is now planned for Saturday, May 1, 2021 at the Musselman Brothers’ Lazy 3 ranch in Albany, with Clay Walker as the entertainment.

Polo on the Prairie chair Melinda Musselman said that POP has become a West Texas tradition, and its 2020 cancellation left polo players and spectators alike disappointed.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Application forms for Albany Chest funds are now available at both local banks and The Albany News, with a deadline of Friday, Oct. 2.

Forms can also be requested by email at news@thealbanynews.net.

Funding requests, which are mandatory to be able to receive Chest monies, will be reviewed at the board’s next meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 7, when a goal will be set.

Letters to previous Chest donors and new prospects will be mailed soon after the Oct. 7 meeting to kick off the 2020 campaign.

By Lynsi Musselman

Student council and class officer elections have both been held at the secondary campus and names of those chosen to serve during the 2020-2021 school year have been posted.

Student council president for the current school year is Tana Thompson, with Hannah Trail serving as vice president.

Torie Fuentes is secretary, Elia Hebel is treasurer, and Jackson Chapman will serve as reporter.

By Lynsi Musselman

In a year of unpredictability, Albany school officials have had to stay on their toes each step of the way this school year and Homecoming 2020 with all the festivities is no exception.

Albany Independent School District superintendant Jonathan Scott said the district is evaluating events and planning precautions for homecoming activities, but the plan is to move forward and go until we cannot go anymore.

Details for homecoming activities, other than the game, are still being discussed and will be announced later.