By Melinda L.

By Sandy Morris After much discussion and research, Albany city officials have finalized plans to use the remaining funds of the CARES Act allocation, with $100 grocery gift cards to be distributed to local residents and city employees on Saturday, Dec. 5.

Republic Services, Albany’s trash pickup contractor, 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.

By Sandy Morris While the days of poring over a catalog of Christmas toys are long gone, children are still making lists for Santa. The Albany News will be printing Santa letters and holiday essays in the Christmas issue to be published on Thursday, Dec. 24.

By Sandy Morris The Chamber of Commerce will not hold a weekly luncheon on Friday, Nov. 27 because of the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, according to Chamber manager Mary Beth Jones. Also, the Shackelford County Library will be closed on Thursday and Friday, Nov. 26-27 due to the holiday.

By Melinda L. Lucas After clarifying a few details with Vince Viaille of Specialized Public Finance Inc. of Dallas, Shackelford County commissioners voted unanimously to begin the process of refunding the bonds for the Shackelford County Law Enforcement Center.

By Sandy Morris Seven local 4-H members competed at the District 7 Food Show on Thursday, Nov. 19 in the Big Country Hall located at the Taylor County Expo Center in Abilene.

By Sandy Morris National Wreaths Across America Day 2020 has been scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 19 and local residents are working to arrange a ceremony to honor service members buried in the Albany Cemetery.

By Sandy Morris Hunters who harvest more venison than they intend to use can donate their excess to Hunters for the Hungry.  Locally field dressed deer can be dropped off at Escalon’s Buck N Hog, along with $35 to help cover the processing fee.

By Sandy Morris The fifth grade class from Nancy Smith Elementary School attended Camp Grady Spruce, an outdoor educational camp on Possum Kingdom Lake, last week.