News readers and advertisers are asked to be aware that no newspaper will be published, either in print or online, during the week of Christmas.
“There will not be an edition on Thursday, Dec. 26,” said News editor Melinda Lucas. “We hope we’ve given everyone ample notice that we’re going to take that week off to spend time with our families.”
This is only the second time in 43 years of Lucas ownership that there hasn’t been a weekly paper.
By Kathy Thomson
Shackelford County senior adults (60 and up) are invited to attend the Shackelford County Resource Center’s December senior luncheon to be held on Friday, Dec. 13 at the Youth Center beginning at 11:15 a.m.
The Albany Church of Christ will be hosting the meal this month, according to program assistant Ragan Riley.
The menu for the December luncheon is baked ham, mashed potatoes, pea salad, and cranberries, with a Christmas theme.
Bingo, with prizes for the winners, will be played after the meal.
By Melinda L. Lucas
After a lengthy discussion, Albany volunteer firemen were given permission to spend $30,000 in designated funds for an auxiliary vehicle. The action came during a regular monthly session on Monday night, Dec. 9 at City Hall.
Fire chief Kyle Tischler and assistant chief Travis Gardenhire presented five bids for pre-owned vehicles – four Suburbans and one crew cab pickup with a camper cover – to replace a 1987 Suburban that is no longer reliable.
By Melinda L. Lucas
Shackelford County commissioners approved a bid to repair a bridge on County Road 179 in Precinct 2 during a regular meeting on Monday morning, Dec. 9.
Shahan Concrete of Breckenridge agreed to replace the “cracked skirting” on the Caldwell Lane bridge for a total cost of $12,000. Owner Randy Shahan expects to finish the job by mid-February.
By Kathy Thomson
This year the Albany Chamber of Commerce sponsored a children’s coloring contest for first through sixth grade students at Nancy Smith Elementary School.
Students colored a Christmas scene selected by their teacher from among the options submitted by the Chamber.
“We awarded one $10 gift certificate to the winner from each of the participating grades at the elementary school,” said Chamber manager Mary Beth Jones.
Winners are listed below:
FIRST GRADE
Lori Warren’s class – Anna Alexander
By Melinda L. Lucas
The public is invited to the Fort Griffin State Historical Site this Saturday to go fishing for rainbow trout in what is expected to be sunny weather, tour the fort, and then stay to view the night sky through the high powered telescopes of several astronomers.
By Kathy Thomson
Members of the AJSH Academic Booster Club have formed a “Rise and Shine” committee to bless, encourage, and uplift the faculty and staff of the Albany Independent School District, and this holiday season they are inviting everyone to assist them in their efforts by “adopting” a local teacher.
“The committee has created a teacher/staff Christmas wish list event,” said co-chair Heather Brown. “This is a great opportunity to encourage the teachers/staff who love, care for, and educate our students each and every day.”
By Kathy Thomson
Albany Junior High seventh grader Will LeMay competed in the Tuf Cooper Jr. World Finals in Las Vegas on Wednesday, Dec. 11.
He qualified in the 12-and-under tie down event by accumulating points throughout the year at events in Texas and Oklahoma.
Along the way, LeMay won four saddles and five buckles at the American Junior Rodeo Association’s National Finals where he earned the year-end championships in tie-down roping, ribbon roping, optional roping, and all-around.
By Kathy Thomson
Albany Independent School District will break for the Christmas holidays at noon next Friday, Dec. 20, and student early releases on both Wednesday and Thursday, Dec. 18 and 19 should help everyone survive the five-day-long week and make it to the anticipated vacation.
Students on both campuses will be released at 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday, Dec. 18 and 19, and at 12:00 noon on Friday, Dec. 20.
By Kathy Thomson
Members of the Albany Ministerial Alliance make a special effort each year to insure that every family in the local community has enough food to prepare a special meal over the holiday season, and the annual delivery of the Christmas food baskets will take place on Sunday, Dec. 22.
Sixth grade leadership students from Nancy Smith Elementary School will help pack the non-perishable items, picking up the canned goods and other staples at Brookshire’s and then sorting the items into the Christmas food boxes at The Feed Store.
