By Sam Waller

Albany’s Haily Cox will get to continue her softball career at the next level after signing a letter of intent with Cisco College in December.

“I love having the chance to keep playing the sport I grew up playing,” Cox said. “It’s a great opportunity for me. Right now, I just hope my senior season goes out with a bang.”

By Sam Waller

Drought conditions brought on by a La Niña weather system were the major weather story in Shackelford County in 2022, and it doesn’t appear conditions are going to change in early 2023.

Meteorologist Mike Castillo of the National Weather Service office in San Angelo said the system caused warmer and drier weather locally last year.

Shackelford County received 17.34 inches of rainfall in 2022, according to data from the NWS co-op station in Albany, 11.58 inches below the annual average of 28.92 inches.

By Sam Waller

Shackelford County hunters can still bag a buck during Texas’ special late white-tailed deer season.

The special late season  as well as a youth-only late season runs through Sunday, Jan. 15.

“The special late season allows for the harvest of antlerless or a deer that has at least one unbranched antler, basically a spike on one side,” game warden Jacob Mort said. “The youth season allows youth (16 and younger) to continue with normal harvest.”

By Sam Waller

The Moran Bulldog and Lady Bulldog basketball teams get one last chance to prepare for District 13-1A play after both struggled through winless appearances at the Gordon tournament, played Tuesday-Wednesday, Dec. 27-28 over the holiday break.

Moran stepped up in class Tuesday, Jan. 3 when they visited Class 2A Olney for their final nondistrict games. Results will be reported next week.

By Sam Waller

Moran’s Connor Hail added to his list of postseason honors last week when he was named an honorable mention selection on the Texas Six-Man Coaches Association All-State football team for Class 1A Division II as a punter.

Earlier last month, Hail was named first-team punter on the All-Region IV Division II team. He also earned first-team honors at running back and punter on the All-District 14-1A Division II team.

By Sam Waller

Moran ISD begins its spring semester Monday, Jan. 9 with a staff-development day before resuming classes Tuesday, Jan. 10.

In order to stay on its four-day week schedule, Moran will hold classes on Friday, Jan. 13. It is the only Friday class day scheduled for the spring semester.

The new semester also sees the start of the fourth six-week grading period. The period ends Thursday, Feb. 16.

Spring break is scheduled for the week of March 13-17. The final day of classes is Thursday, May 25, with graduation on Friday, May 26.

Vernon LaVerrel Floyd Dennis Pittman passed into the arms of Jesus on Dec. 16, 2022 at 1:00 a.m., in the presence of her loving daughter Ginger Dennis Locker at Redstone Park Assisted Living in Brownwood, Texas.

Anna Tankersley, age 94 of Albany, passed away Thursday, Dec. 22, 2022. Graveside services were held Tuesday, Dec. 27 in the Albany Cemetery with Pastor Tom Chandler officiating. Services were entrusted to Morehart Mortuary.

Anna Marie Schkade was born on Oct. 17, 1928 to parents, Alvin John Schkade and Louise Emma Sohns Schkade in Albany, Texas. On Feb. 14, 1950, she married James F. Tankersley in Albany. Anna was a lifetime resident of Albany and was a devoted member of Trinity Lutheran Church.

By Donnie L. Lucas

The Albany community received an early Christmas present last week in the form of a state championship football title for Class 2A Div. 2, thanks to the Albany Lions.

While the honor was earned by the team and the coaching staff, it will be enjoyed by the entire community, joining two other such pinnacles  of sports excellence – the 1960 and 1961 state titles.

The slogan for the team this season was “Be Remembered.”

The Albany community embraced the team and their quest to make it all the way to the big game and bring home the gold.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Three homes in Albany were recognized for their holiday displays by judges of the Albany Chamber of Commerce’s house decorating contest.

The home of Shirley and Red Alexander was awarded first place with a prize of 100 Albany Bucks.

Second place went to Lynsi and James Musselman, who received 75 Albany Bucks.

Third place and 50 Albany Bucks went to Samantha Isbell.

The Isbell and Alexander homes are repeat winners.

Chamber officer Megaen Birdwell said quite a few homes were included in the judging.