By Kathy Thomson  School bells will ring out the start of a new school year a week from today, and any students who are not yet registered should complete the process as soon as possible so teachers and administrators know how many students to expect. Local classes start on Thursday, Aug.

By Melinda L. Lucas The final two Old Jail Art Center sponsored children’s summer camps take place in the next week, with spots still available for both classes at press time. The traditional Cell Series Teen Workshop originally scheduled for next Tuesday, Aug.

By Kathy Thomson The third annual Shifters Truck Show has been scheduled to take place in Albany next Saturday, Aug. 17.

By Kathy Thomson The Albany city swimming pool will close for the season this Sunday, Aug. 11. There will be no public swim hours after Aug. 11. The pool will still be used for some private rentals through the end of August, but only for those that are already booked.

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.

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.

By Kathy Thomson Local minister Sonny McCauley recently returned from a mission trip to Central America. “On July 20-28, I had the opportunity to travel to Honduras with a dental mission trip,” McCauley said.

By Melinda L. Lucas Evangelist Tom Fuller, founder of the John Wesley Adventure, will preach at First United Methodist Church in Albany this Sunday morning, Aug. 11, according to local pastor Tim Trimble. Fuller has been General Evangelist for the United Methodist Church since 2006.

The United Pentecostal Church’s annual Back to School Bash will be held this coming Sunday, Aug. 11 at the church on Cook Field Road, beginning at 6:00 p.m. All students, from kindergarten all the way through 12th grade, are invited to the celebration, along with their friends and families.

Shane McAuliffe (l), host of “The Texas Bucket List,” finds out from chef Ali Esfandiary (c) what’s so special about Fort Griffin Gen. Mdse. Restaurant for an upcoming episode. The syndicated show airs on Sunday afternoons at 4:30 p.m. on KTXS.