By Kathy Thomson The Christmas season is underway, and local churches are hosting numerous activities to spread Christmas spirit throughout the community.

Albany News publisher Donnie Lucas announced this week that there will not be an edition published during the week of Christmas on Thursday, Dec. 26. “We’ve decided to take that week off and be able to enjoy our family more during the holidays,” said Lucas.

By Melinda L. Lucas The Christmas season is in full swing at the Old Jail Art Center, and special activities for December include the free holiday marionette shows that were offered earlier this week, as well as an upcoming family festival on Saturday, Dec. 14.

By Donnie A. Lucas The Lady Lion basketball team split games last week, suffering the first loss of the season against Ballinger but rebounding for a victory over Hamlin. Albany traveled to Munday on Dec. 3, picking up an easy 55-25 win to improve to 5-1 for the season.

By Donnie A. Lucas The varsity Lion basketball team opened their season in Munday this week, dropping their first outing 52-44 on the road. The varsity will be open this weekend after being bumped from the Winters Tournament, but the JV and JV II Lions will host a local tournament.

By Donnie A. Lucas The junior high basketball girls played both Haskell and Stamford over the last 10 days with mixed results. Both teams are scheduled to play in the Breckenridge Tournament on Thursday through Saturday, Dec. 5-7. Game times had not been been announced at press time.

By Donnie A. Lucas The 8A Cubs continue to rack up victories to remain undefeated, while the 7A team split the last two games to post a 2-1 record. The boys will host Hawley on Monday, Dec. 9, starting at 5:30 p.m. with a combined B team game. The 7A game will follow at about 6:30 p.m.

By Kathy Thomson Moran’s high school teams fell in Bryson on Tuesday, Nov. 26. The Bryson Cowgirls handed the Lady Bulldogs a 39-15 loss. “We were short handed, due to injuries and players being out for Thanksgiving,” said coach John Hughes.