By Donnie A. Lucas

The combined seventh and eighth grade Cubs hosted their final home game last week, sending Santo’s junior high home with a 33-6 loss.

The Cubs will combine again this week for the last game of the season in Cross Plains. Kickoff is set for 4:00 p.m. on Thursday.

The Cubs scored early with a 45-yard run by Ashton Bailey, who then kicked the PAT to put Albany ahead 7-0.

Branson Beal scored next on a 24-yard keeper for a touchdown, followed by another kick by Bailey for a 14-0 lead.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The Lady Lion basketball team will start the season on Saturday in Coleman with scrimmages against the Lady Bluecats and Veribest.

The action will start at 9:00 a.m. against Coleman, followed by a 10:00 a.m. tip-off for the scrimmage with Veribest.

Another scrimmage is set for Monday, Nov. 2 in Cross Plains at 4:00 p.m.

Currently, the first game on the schedule is against Huckabay on Saturday, Nov. 14 at 2:00 p.m.

By Sandy Morris

The last “Fifth Quarter” event of the 2020 season will be held at The Feed Store directly after the Cross Plains game this Friday, Oct. 30.

First Baptist Church will host the event for the students and will serve Subway sandwiches. Snacks and drinks also will be provided to the students.

According to Campbell Terry, FBC youth minister, this Fifth Quarter will end at 10:30 p.m., so non-driving students will need to be picked up on or before that time. 

By Sandy Morris

The Moran PTO will sponsor Trunk or Treat on Friday, Oct. 30. 

The event will be held from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. in the front parking lot of the school. Everyone is invited to participate. 

Red Ribbon Events

Moran ISD principal Jo Hise reported that the district is observing Red Ribbon Week this week. 

By Donnie A. Lucas

The JV Lion football team will play in Tuscola Thursday (today) against the Jim Ned JV with a 6:30 p.m. kickoff.

The JV was originally without a game this week since Cross Plains isn’t fielding a JV team, but the substitute game was arranged by coaches several days ago.

Fans will have to purchase tickets in advance at the Jim Ned website: jimned.esc14.net. Use the “tickets” in the main menu bar and chose the JV game to purchase online. All tickets are $5 each.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Four Albany cross country runners are scheduled to compete in the district meet today in Anson.

Originally set for Wednesday, the meet was moved to Thursday (today) because of the weather, and will still be run at the Anson Golf Course. 

The varsity girls division is set to start at 10:30 a.m.

The Albany girls improved their times last week at the Munday meet, just in time for the district meet.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Early voting for the Nov. 3 general election and three local races that were postponed earlier in the year due to COVID-19 coronavirus concerns has been brisk with just over 30 percent of all registered voters in the county casting ballots.

Early voting opened on Tuesday, Oct. 13, and as of Tuesday, Oct. 20, a total of 649 ballots had been cast, in addition to 109 mail ballots that have been returned, representing a county total of over 750 voters thus far.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Albany High School seniors Wesley Estridge and Torie Fuentes were crowned 2020 Homecoming King and Queen during halftime last Friday night in the Albany Lions’ 61-0 win over the Ranger Bulldogs.

Estridge and Fuentes were both nominated by the senior class for the homecoming honors, with six other seniors selected as candidates by the other three classes at AHS.

The pair was chosen by the entire student body during an election held last week after each class picked a senior boy and girl to serve as nominees.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Albany ISD administrators reviewed updates about the district’s Targeted Improvement Plan (TIP), as well as looking at possible changes in remote learning during a board meeting on Monday, Oct. 19.

AISD director of student services Leigh Lowe reported that the Targeted Improvement Plan, required by TEA because of last year’s overall “D” grade, had been ready to put into operation for last spring’s testing, but when schools went to remote learning because of -COVID, and STAAR tests were suspended, the requirement was extended another year.

By Melinda L. Lucas

All Shackelford County 4-H and FFA youth who plan to exhibit lambs, goats, or heifers at the county show or any other shows this school year need to get their animals validated next week.

Lambs and goats can be validated at the ag barn starting at 3:00 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 26.

Local ag teacher Chris Beard and county agent Kloey Painter are also planning to validate at owners’ pens if needed.