The Albany Ministerial Alliance spent almost $12,000 in support of various local needs by the end of 2018.

“We believe that all these expenditures help make Albany a better place for everyone in the community,” said Alliance treasurer Carolyn Waller. “And we would like to thank all whose generous contributions make these things possible.”

The annual total of $11,095.47 is very similar to the amount spent the previous year.

Total donations for 2018 were $12,272, said Waller.

Closet Angels continues to be closed this week so that volunteers can take a break and spend time with their families during the Christmas and New Year’s seasons, according to director Lori Reames.

The facility will open again for regular hours next Monday, Jan. 7 – 5:00 to 6:00 for local students and their families, then 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. for the general public.

Saturday hours are still “on hold” for now, said Reames.

“We will try to let everyone know when the hours change,” said Reames.

— —

Albany recipients of Shackelford County food commodities should plan to pick up their allotments on Friday morning, Jan. 4 at the back door of the JP office at the Shackelford County Courthouse.

Pickup time has been set for 9:00 to 11:00 a.m.

New applications for beneficiaries of the program are due this month, with forms placed in the January food bags, according to the JP office staff.

With a much earlier sunset than during warm weather star gazing events, the staff at Fort Griffin State Historic Site will host its annual Winter Star Party this Saturday, Jan. 5 at 6:30 p.m.

The program will be held in the astronomy area behind the visitor center, which is on the west side of Hwy. 283 near the fort. In the past, the star parties have been held mostly in the campground area. 

In addition to the night time observation of the skies, hot cocoa will be available, according to program specialist Eric Abercrombie.

The City of Albany will test the emergency warning siren at 12:00 noon next Wednesday, Jan. 9, as it does the second Wednesday of every month, depending on the weather.

The tests keep citizens familiar with the three warning sounds, and they are also used to make sure that the siren, computer, software, and radios are working correctly.

The siren should sound one of the three emergency tones at noon on that day, but the siren is not tested if the weather is questionable, according to local fire chief Kyle Tischler. 

Local fifth and sixth graders who signed up for local youth basketball teams have started practicing in preparation for the first tournament of the season on Jan. 12.

According to coach and league coordinator Clint Chapman, 36 students signed up for the four teams designated for fifth and sixth grade boys and girls.

“The teams have already started practicing, so we will not be able to take any late registrations since those kids would already be too far behind,” Chapman said. “There are a total of eight area towns participating over five Saturdays.”

Contributions are needed for the Shackelford County Youth Livestock show, with the annual show set to be held over a three-day period Jan. 31-Feb. 2, less than one month away. 

Donations of $12,600 were deposited in the bank as of Wednesday morning, according to Molly Cauble. A bare minimum of $18,000 to $20,000 is required to fund the show. 

Donations to the association are used for ribbons, belt buckles, show supplies, premium monies, and other expenses associated with hosting the annual event.

With several donations coming in on the final day of 2018, including one large $5,000 contribution and $1,000 on Wednesday, the Albany Chest is just under its $42,000 goal.

According to Chest treasurer Paige Adair, Monday afternoon’s total was $41,828, just $122 shy of the amount set by board members back in early October.

Last week, the 2018 campaign was still more than $9,000 short of the goal.

Texas Rangers are continuing to investigate the death of a Moran man, Jack Tabor, who was killed at his girlfriend’s apartment in Cisco by her estranged husband, who then shot and killed himself.

Doyle Seabourn, 50, went to the home of his wife, from whom he had reportedly been separated for a number of months, about 1:45 a.m. last Thursday, Dec. 27.

An argument between Seabourn and Tabor resulted in Seabourn shooting Tabor, then himself, according to the preliminary investigation. 

As is typical, property tax payments at the Shackelford County Appraisal District accelerated just before the end of the year, according to chief appraiser Clayton Snyder.

“We are still busy processing and posting the many payments that were mailed in to us at the end of 2018, as well as the electronic transactions through the district’s website,” said Snyder on Monday night. “Unfortunately, there is not an accurate way to estimate the collection rate until we finish processing December payments, and close out the month in our collection system.”