By Donnie A. Lucas

Four members of the cast and crew of the junior high One-Act Play, “Once Upon a Clothesline” were recognized at the district contest held last week in Stamford.

The play did not finish in the top three, but the four Albany students were honored individually.

Braeten Street was named to the All-Star Cast for his protrayal of Pinno in the performance, while Tatum Brady received honorable mention All-Star Cast as Pinnette.

Zayne Lefevre also received honorable mention All-Star Cast as Mrs. Spider.

By Sam Waller

Fourth grade students from Nancy Smith Elementary School attended a special performance of “The Nutcracker” put on by Abilene Ballet Theatre on Friday, Nov. 18 at Abilene’s historic Paramount Theater.

Fourth grade teacher Melissa Fields said 40 students traveled to the event for the first time in two years.

“Last year, the performances were only open to families rather than school classes because of COVID,” Fields said.

And the pandemic completedly cancelled the performances for everyone in 2020.

By Sam Waller

Eight students from the Nancy Smith Elementary School gifted and talented program got a view of the world and beyond on Thursday, Nov. 10 during a field trip to the Frontiers of Flight Museum at Dallas Love Field.

Students Trevor Bella, Artie Bell, Kingston Balliew, Tanner Howe, Berkley Davis, Reece Nitschke, Kurt Strauss, and Benjamin Gullett were accompanied by teacher Melissa Fields and principal John Gallagher on the excursion.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Trash collection for the City of Albany will run on a slightly different schedule for the week of Thanksgiving.

Residential trash containers and business and industrial containers normally picked up on Thursday will change to Friday this week.

Other residential and industrial containers will be picked up on their regular days, except on Thanksgiving.

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By Donnie A. Lucas

No new COVID-19 cases were reported last week for the first time in several months, based on information provided by Albany’s two health clinics.

The weekly report by county judge Bob Skelton issued Monday reported eight tests administered at the two local clinics for the period of Nov. 14 through Nov. 18, with no positive results.

There were four positive cases out of nine tests for the week of Nov. 7-11.

Testing continues to be available locally at the Shackelford County Health Clinic and ResourceCare Community Health Center.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Lions faced their first serious challenge of the postseason and responded in an overwhelming manner.

Trailing by three late in the second quarter of their Class 2A Division II area playoff against the Muenster Hornets, the ­Lions quickly regained the lead and rolled to a 56-10 victory on Thursday, Nov. 17, at Graham’s Newton Field.

Albany (10-2) advances to the regional round to take on the fourth-ranked Wink Wildcats at 5:00 p.m. Friday, Nov. 25 at San Angelo Stadium.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Lady Lions dropped a pair of games last week in their first  road outings of the basketball season, and they had two more games this week before the Thanksgiving break.

On Tuesday, Nov. 15, Albany lost 61-12 at Gordon. That was followed Friday, Nov. 18, by a 35-29 loss at Roby in a game that was a late addition to the schedule.

On Monday, Nov. 21, the Lady Lions hosted Seymour, followed Tuesday, Nov. 22 by a road game at Gorman. Because of early deadlines, those results will be reported next week.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Junior High Cubs and Lady Cubs played Cisco on Monday with the girls at home and the boys on the road.

Because of early deadlines, those results will be reported next week.

The junior high teams return from Thanksgiving break Monday, Nov. 28 to take on Hawley. The Lady Cubs will again be at home with the Cubs on the road. Games start at 5:30 p.m. at both locations.

By Sam Waller

Shackelford County 4-H member Gage Burton placed first in Junior Division Main Dish on Thursday, Nov. 17, at the District 7 Food Show held at Taylor County Expo Center in Abilene.

Shackelford County 4-H had five club members qualify from the county level, four of them in the Junior Division. Maggie Spraberry was fifth in Appetizer, with Kimberly Howe fifth in Healthy Dessert. Also competing were Artie Bell in Side Dish and James Hise in Intermediate Healthy Dessert.

By Sam Waller

The Moran Lady Bulldogs split their two outings last week, while the Bulldogs boys team tipped off its basketball season.

On Tuesday, Nov. 15, the Lady Bulldogs dropped a 30-24 decision to Blanket, but bounced back to beat Mullin 43-13 on Friday, Nov. 18, for their first win of the season.

Also on Friday, the boys lost to Mullin 37-27.

All games were played at Moran.