By Melinda L. Lucas

Members of the Albany varsity and junior varsity football teams will be in full pads on Friday, Aug. 9 for team and individual photos to be taken at Robert Nail Stadium.

The Lions and their coaches will gather at 1:00 p.m. after the morning practice.

The photos will be used for publicity, as well as in the football program.

Players can also order individual photo packages.

Cheerleader and volleyball pictures have not yet been scheduled, but will probably be taken next week.

By Donnie A. Lucas

High school runners interested in participating in cross country track this fall are meeting Monday, Aug. 5 at 8:00 a.m. to organize for the season.

Anyone entering grades 9-12 is invited to the meeting in the lobby of the main gym.

Coach Tate Thompson will hand out the required forms for runners to have signed by a parent in order to participate.

Tate will set up a workout schedule for runners, as well as announce the meets that the squads will compete in this fall.

By Kathy Thomson

Everyone is invited to come out to the Bank Park at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 12 and meet the players, coaches, and cheerleaders that will represent Albany High during the fall sports season, and for a few dollars they can also enjoy a freshly cooked hamburger meal and dessert.

By Troy Reinke

District Conservationist

Natural Resources Conservation Service Shackelford County

Despite being one of the most popular and most-studied species of wildlife, the northern bobwhite quail population has been in a downward spiral for the past 30 years. 

Experts say it comes down to habitat and changing land use patterns. Knowing their habitat basics can help turn quail numbers around. 

Food preferences

By Kathy Thomson

Three local youth showed project animals at the Battle for the Cattle steer prospect show in Kerrville last weekend, and the Shackelford County entries placed among the top animals in their respective breed.

J.T. Holland showed the Breed Champion Brahman.

Kenzie Neve hauled two steers and placed with both. 

She took second place in lightweight Shorthorns and then won third place “Bronze” banner in the breed overall with “Troy.”

Neve showed “Coop” to third place in the middle weight class of Shorthorns.

By Kathy Thomson

A September 2019 “let date” for road repairs on State Highway 6 has been scheduled by the Texas Department of Transportation.

Repairs are definitely needed as testified by the “Rough Road” signs posted on the road by TxDOT. 

Although no information about the Highway 6 project was available from the local or Abilene offices, the TxDOT website said that the “surfacing/roadway restoration” would extend from Pecan Street in Albany south to the Callahan County line.

By Kathy Thomson

Five members of the Albany Volunteer Fire Department attended the 90th Annual Municipal Fire Training School held at Brayton Training Field in College Station last week, July 21-26.

Clay and Mel Deatherage completed their seventh year as invited guest instructors.

They taught Building Construction for the Fire Service in the Phase II part of the program.

By Kathy Thomson

Will LeMay and his horse “Alf” won four saddles at the American Junior Rodeo Association 67th National Finals Rodeo in Sweetwater, Texas last week, July 23-27 and also claimed several belt buckles, three hat certificates, cash, and other prizes in the 9-12 Boys division.

Will LeMay entered all four of the roping events, but he did not compete in steer riding, the only other class for boys his age. 

School’s

Coming!

If you ask the question, “Are you excited about school starting,” you may get some different answers. The answers range from “I can’t wait” to “I hate school.” 

That second one bothers me.

I remember elementary as being really great. I moved here in my fourth grade year. The elementary school was practically brand new and very modern. The beginning of a school year was always exciting.

You usually got maybe a couple of new dresses and a new pair of school shoes (that had to last the entire year).

By Kathy Thomson

Jo Hise, who earned her principal certificate in May of this year, was recently named the new principal at Moran.

“We are actually splitting the principal duties (between us) as Mrs. Hise will also have several classroom and girls coaching responsibilities,” said superintendent Danny Freeman, who has been serving as both principal and superintendent at MISD.

Cheer Camp 

Moran cheerleaders are having their annual cheer camp this week.