By Sidney Bartee Several members of Albany FFA have been attending multiple cattle prospect shows across the state during the summer, with their efforts paying off with some top spots and awards. The prospect shows are held to prepare beef projects for major shows held in the fall and winter.

By Donnie A. Lucas The News has hired veteran sportswriter Sam Waller as a staff member effective with this week’s edition. Waller, 57, brings a wealth of reporting experience along with his 32-year newspaper career.

By Sam Waller For the past two decades, ResourceCare’s Adopt-a-Buddy program has helped make sure in-need students in Shackelford County are supplied with the school supplies they are required to have for the start of a new school year. This year’s supply packages will be distributed from 9:00 a.

By Sidney Bartee The Albany Chamber of Commerce annual garage sale will take place on Saturday, Sept. 11. Chamber manager Mary Beth Jones said participants can register to get on the map between Aug. 17 and Sept. 3. To be registered, included on the map, and receive a sign will cost $10.

By Sidney Bartee Members of the Ragin’ Red Band are hosting a Community Night in a little over a week to which everyone in the community is invited. The event is scheduled for the last night of summer band practice on Monday, Aug. 16, starting at 8:00 p.m. at Robert Nail Memorial Stadium.

By Melinda L. Lucas There are still spots available for both the Head Start and Pre-K programs offered at Nancy Smith Elementary School. New and returning Head Start families need to pick up applications at the Nancy Smith Elementary School front office.

By Sidney Bartee The annual orientation for new students and incoming seventh graders will occur on the same day as the secondary campus’ “Meet the Teacher” and open house. The open house day is scheduled for Aug. 16, with a time to be determined.

By Sidney Bartee The Albany ISD teachers, staff, and school board will attend a district luncheon on Tuesday, Aug. 10 at 12:00 p.m. in the Nancy Smith cafeteria. In the morning, staff members will go to their separate campuses before meeting together at noon for the meal.

By Sam Waller The Feed Store has planned a pair of ongoing programs for local youth to begin with the start of the new school year. Feed Store executive director Tisha Wilkins said the Tuesday lunch program for high school juniors and seniors will commence on Aug.

By Brad McBee A while back I was shooting at a gun range just outside of Albany when I came across a Killdeer.  Killdeers are  robin size, large plover, brownish, with white bellies and black stripes on their heads, necks, and breasts. The name comes from a call that sounds like “kill-deer,”