By Sam Waller

The Albany youth basketball teams tipped off their season Saturday, Jan. 7, winning five of eight games.

The boys teams played at Jim Ned with the girls at Hawley. The sixth grade boys won both their games, while the other teams each split their two outings.

The youth teams return to action Saturday with the girls playing at Jim Ned and the boys at Merkel. The sixth grade girls start the action at 9:00 a.m. against Hawley Maroon and then play Jim Ned Blue at noon. The fifth grade girls play Merkel Purple at noon and Merkel White at 1:00 p.m.

By Sam Waller

Albany’s Parker Henry made his first foray into strongman competition a successful one, winning his weight class in the Big Country Showdown.

The event was held Saturday, Dec. 17 in Abilene, hosted by Riley Rodriguez of Heathen Training.

Henry won the 220- pound class, competing in events such as Atlas Stone, Viking Press, Truck Pull, Wagon Wheel Deadlift, and Hercules Grip.

And he won despite being bumped up a weight class.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Junior High Cubs and Lady Cubs resume their seasons following the Christmas break this week with the girls teams hosting a tournament in addition to their regular games.

On Thursday, Jan. 12 (tonight), Albany takes on Cisco with the boys at home and the Lady Cubs on the road.

Boys games will start at 5:30 p.m. with the combo team, followed by seventh grade at 6:15 p.m. and eighth grade at 7:00 p.m.

The girls White team will start at 5:30 p.m. with the Red team at 6:30 p.m.

By Sam Waller

Registration for Albany’s Little Dribblers youth basketball program is wrapping up this week.

Organizer Joe Tidwell requests that registration forms and fees be returned by Friday, Jan. 13 if possible with a final deadline of Monday, Jan. 16.

Forms are available at Nancy Smith Elementary School. Registration fee is $30 per player.

The program is open to boys and girls age 8 through fourth grade. Second graders must turn 8 by Feb. 28 to be eligible.

By Sam Waller

The Moran Lady Bulldogs’ first basketball outings of 2023 resulted in a pair of lopsided road losses last week, including their district opener.

The Lady Bulldogs returned to action Tuesday, Jan. 10 when they hosted Rising Star for their first district home game. Results will be reported next week.

Moran visits May on Friday, Jan. 13 as part of a doubleheader that will include the boys district opener.

By Sam Waller

Moran Independent School District began its spring semester Tuesday, Jan. 10, with 117 students for all grades.

The enrollment figure has increased by more than 20 students since the first day of class back in August.

“There’s comfort knowing people are happy in the success they’re seeing in their children, and they’re referring other people, newcomers to the area, to us,” Moran principal Jo Hise said.

Class Schedule

Mary Marie Woolaver Cotton, 92, passed away Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023, in Abilene, Texas.

Marie was born January 24, 1930, to Thomas Sim and Nora Stamford Weir in Hamilton. She was the youngest of five children. Marie received her education at Hamilton Schools, subsequently completing formal education through home course work. During World War II, Marie moved with her parents to Fort Worth.

On Dec. 7, 1946, Marie married Jacob Vernon (Jay) Woolaver, her husband of 53 years. They had three children: Sandra Kay, Donna Sue, and Joseph Randal (Randy).

By Melinda L. Lucas

The filing period for local elections to  various entities such as the school board, city council, and hospital board will begin Wednesday, Jan. 18.

The election date set by the state for all local elections is Saturday, May 6.

Candidates will have 30 days to sign up for spots on one of the local boards or councils, with the filing deadline set for Friday, Feb. 17 at 5:00 p.m.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Several Shackelford County elected officials, including first-time county judge John Viertel, took the oath of office during a brief ceremony in the second floor courtroom of the Shackelford County Courthouse on New Year’s Day, Jan. 1.

By Sam Waller

Shackelford County extension agent Kelsey Bell will host a continuing education program Friday, Jan. 13, at the Shackelford County Courthouse.

Registration for Managing Wildlife as a Beef Producer begins at 8:00 a.m. in the second floor courtroom.

“This is for the beef producer whose number one priority is raising beef, but they’re trying to manage natural resources, as well,” Bell said.

Registration is $20 per person. Bell said no RSVP is required.