Frances Wheeler, age 68 of Albany, passed away Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2019. Graveside funeral services were held Sunday, October 6 at the Albany Cemetery Pavilion with Pastor Paul Johnston officiating. Interment followed under the direction of Morehart Mortuary.

Frances Gazelle Alexander was born June 20, 1951 in Gorman, Texas to Hiram Franklin “Frank” Alexander and Juanita Gazelle Beck Alexander. She graduated from Breckenridge High School in 1969. On June 6, 1969, she married Jimmie Wheeler. 

Bobby Key, age 84 of Albany, passed away Sunday, Oct. 6, 2019. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, Oct. 10 at Bethel Assembly with Pastor Paul Johnston officiating. Interment will follow in the Albany Ceme-tery under the direction of Morehart Mortuary. 

Bobby Linn Key was born Feb. 16, 1935 in Throckmorton, Texas to Delmon Wortham Key and Letha Bell Robinson Key. 

Following graduation from Throckmorton High School, Bobby started his own tile business. He owned and operated Key Tile for 37 years. 

Lifelong Albany resident, Priscilla Gates, age 84, entered her Heavenly Home on Oct. 4, 2019.  Services were held at the First Christian Church on the morning of Tuesday, Oct, 8 with Pastor Brad McBee officiating. Interment followed in the Albany Cemetery under the direction of Morehart Mortuary.

Born in the Stamford Hospital on March 21, 1935, to George Robert Howsley and Lucy Duncan Howsley, Priscilla Ann was a member of a longtime Shackelford County pioneering family. 

By Kathy Thomson

The fifth annual Fort Griffin BBQ Cook-off “Battle for the Blade & World Championship Dove Competition” took place last weekend, and winners were declared in several categories, as well as the overall champion. 

Tommy Smith, who headed up the team known as Bent Nail BBQ, was declared the overall winner and was presented the 2019 fifth generation “Blade of Fort Griffin” on Saturday afternoon after all the judging was completed.

By Kathy Thomson

Several participants of Hall of Fame Road Tours 2019 drove through Albany on the way from California to Fort Worth last Thursday, filling the downtown area with an assortment of vintage hot rods.

The group was met by several members of the Albany Shifters Car Club, who opened the Flying A Car Museum for a special downtown tour.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Local residents who buy a vehicle or a trailer can help the Shackelford County budget by requesting that the title transfer be done at the Shackelford County Courthouse, thereby sending a portion of the taxes paid on the vehicle or trailer to the local county coffers.

Car dealers are supposed to ask buyers where they want the transfer to take place, but a lot do not, according to Belinda Perez, Shackelford County Tax Assessor - Collector Chief Deputy.

Governor Greg Abbott has appointed Cory Brown D.P.M. of Albany to the Podiatric Medical Examiners Advisory Board for a term set to expire Feb. 1, 2023. 

The advisory board provides advice and recommendations to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation on technical matters relevant to the regulation of the practice of podiatry.

Brown, who has lived in Albany with his family for the past nine years, is a podiatrist and partner at Abilene Diagnostic Clinic. 

By Donnie A. Lucas

A homecoming crowd at Robert Nail Stadium was on hand to watch the Lions hand the visiting Peaster Greyhounds a 41-0 loss last Friday along with the crowning of the Homecoming King and Queen.

Albany (3-2) will be at home again this Friday for the third straight game, hosting the Menard Yellowjackets (1-3) in the final pre-district game of the season. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. at the newly dubbed Faith Field.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The Lady Lion volleyball team added two more victories last week with a non-district match in Coleman, returning home Saturday to host Moran.

Albany also played Woodson here on Tuesday, picking up another district win 25-29, 25-12, 25-7. Details were not available at press time but will be printed next week.

The first round of district games will wrap up on Saturday with Albany playing in Ranger. The varsity game is now set for 4:00 p.m. because of an SAT exam that morning. There will be no JV game.

By Kathy Thomson

Area churches are again taking turns hosting the popular after-game fellowships following each of the Albany Lions’ home football games this year.

The fourth “Fifth Quarter” event of the season will be held this Friday, Oct. 4 at The Feed Store after the game with Menard.

This Friday’s Fifth Quarter will be sponsored by Friendship Baptist and United Methodist Church . 

Sausage wraps, chips, water, and cookies will be served at tomorrow’s event, according to Methodist representative Annette Harris.