By Sidney Bartee

Members of the Ragin’ Red Band started their summer practices on Monday, Aug. 5 at 6:30 p.m.

Practice will continue through this week at 6:30 p.m., but rehearsal times for Aug. 12-16 have not yet been planned. Those times will be announced later this week, according to new band director Richard Murrow.

Band members and parents are able to join a “remind group chat” in order to get updates for the band.

“Text @albanyra to 81010 and you will receive a message confirming that you have joined,” said Murrow.

By Melinda L. Lucas

New students at Albany High School and Albany Junior High School, including all incoming seventh graders, are urged to attend a special meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 13 starting at 6:00 p.m. in the cafeteria/snack bar, which is located in the junior high building.

At least one parent is asked to accompany their student to the brief meeting, if at all possible.

The time slot follows the elementary’s “Meet the Teacher” sessions, which start at 5:00 p.m.

By Kathy Thomson

Staff members from the Kindred Home Health office in Albany are gathering school supplies in conjunction with the company’s 15th Annual Food Drive.

In past years the local Kindred office has joined the national campaign by gathering food items, but this year they decided to try something a little different. 

“We’ve noticed a need for school supplies,” said Tracy Sullivan with Kindred. “I’ve asked both of the schools in town what they needed, and Kleenex and hand sanitizer topped the list for both locations.”

By Kathy Thomson

The Albany Ministerial Alliance sponsored Vacation Bible School began this summer’s “Wild” and “Amazing Encounters with Jesus” on Sunday, Aug. 3  and wrapped up the annual event on Wednesday, Aug. 7 with a “Family Night” program in the First Baptist Church sanctuary followed by food, games, and a bounce house at the Bank Park.

Over 140 children and 40 to 50 workers attended the first evening, according to organizer Ginger Bumguardner.

“Every class was full,” said event organizer Ginger Bumguardner. 

Photographs taken of various teams and individuals by The Albany News since the beginning of the local coach pitch, softball and baseball seasons are available for pickup.

Summer baseball and softball packages are priced at $18 plus tax. Many of the packets have already been paid for, and although many have already been picked up, there are dozens still at the News office.

Graduation photos of the 2019 Albany High School seniors are also in, but several members of the class have not yet placed their orders.

By Kathy Thomson

Everyone is invited to come out to the Bank Park at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 12 and meet the players, coaches, and cheerleaders that will represent Albany High during the fall sports season, and for a few dollars they can also enjoy a freshly cooked hamburger meal and dessert.

By Troy Reinke

District Conservationist

Natural Resources Conservation Service Shackelford County

Despite being one of the most popular and most-studied species of wildlife, the northern bobwhite quail population has been in a downward spiral for the past 30 years. 

Experts say it comes down to habitat and changing land use patterns. Knowing their habitat basics can help turn quail numbers around. 

Food preferences

By Kathy Thomson

A September 2019 “let date” for road repairs on State Highway 6 has been scheduled by the Texas Department of Transportation.

Repairs are definitely needed as testified by the “Rough Road” signs posted on the road by TxDOT. 

Although no information about the Highway 6 project was available from the local or Abilene offices, the TxDOT website said that the “surfacing/roadway restoration” would extend from Pecan Street in Albany south to the Callahan County line.

By Kathy Thomson

Five members of the Albany Volunteer Fire Department attended the 90th Annual Municipal Fire Training School held at Brayton Training Field in College Station last week, July 21-26.

Clay and Mel Deatherage completed their seventh year as invited guest instructors.

They taught Building Construction for the Fire Service in the Phase II part of the program.

By Kathy Thomson

Jo Hise, who earned her principal certificate in May of this year, was recently named the new principal at Moran.

“We are actually splitting the principal duties (between us) as Mrs. Hise will also have several classroom and girls coaching responsibilities,” said superintendent Danny Freeman, who has been serving as both principal and superintendent at MISD.

Cheer Camp 

Moran cheerleaders are having their annual cheer camp this week.