By Sandy Morris

Two Albany seniors, Sidney Bartee and Hannah Trail, have been identified as College Board National Recognition Program Scholars in the National Rural and Small Town Recognition Program. 

The College Board National Recognition Programs create pathways to college for students from underrepresented communities by awarding them academic honors and connecting them with universities across the country.

By Sandy Morris

National Wreaths Across America Day 2020 has been scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 19, and local residents have arranged a ceremony to honor service members buried in the Albany Cemetery. 

A brief observance is set to begin at 11:00 a.m. at the pavilion in the Albany Cemetery before fresh wreaths are placed on almost 500 graves. 

By Donnie A. Lucas

The Lion basketball teams finally were able to get on the court last weekend, with the JV beating the visiting Ballinger Bearcats while the varsity came up short.

The boys teams were open on Tuesday but will be in action again in Roby on Friday. The JV boys will follow the JV girls at 5:00 p.m., with the varsity boys taking the court at about 7:30 p.m.

The Lions will be on the road Saturday, traveling to Perrin-Whitt, starting at 2:00 p.m. with the JV. The varsity will follow at about 3:15 p.m.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The Lady Lions dropped all three games last week as they continued to prepare for the opening of district competition next week against Haskell.

Albany hosted Richland Springs on Tuesday, getting back in the win column 41-26. Details will be reported next week.

The varsity is currently 3-4 for the season. 

Both the JV and varsity teams will travel to Roby on Friday for games beginning at 4:00 p.m. with the JV girls. The varsity girls should take the floor at 6:30 p.m.

J.E. Mikeska, Jr., M.D., age 93 of Albany, passed away Monday, Nov. 30, 2020. Graveside services were held Tuesday, Dec. 8 in the Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Abilene under the direction of Morehart Mortuary. 

Joe Edward Mikeska, Jr. was born to Joe and Lillie (Malechek) Mikeska on Oct. 30, 1927 in Concho County, Texas. His soul departed from this planet on Monday, Nov. 30, 2020 at 9:00 p.m.

Judy Ann Davis, 73, of Pearland Texas, went to be with the Lord on Dec. 1, 2020. 

A virtual celebration of life will be held at 6:00 pm on Dec. 11, 2020 . You can contact the family for information. An interment will follow later at the Albany Cemetery. 

She was born Judy Ann Brown on the 4th of April 1947 in Seminole, Oklahoma to Ralph Eugene Brown and Marie Edwards Brown. She graduated from Albany High School in 1965. 

Dear Editor:

I am past-president of the medical staff for Houston Methodist Hospital (best hospital in Texas and in the top 20 in the USA out of 4600 hospitals according to US News).  

Several months ago we had 750 patients in our hospitals with Covid, then it dropped to 150, now it is back up to 350.  

I voted for Trump and don’t like the government telling me what to do, but if you love your neighbor – please wear a mask!

By Sandy Morris

While nasty weather and COVID cancelled the Albany Chamber of Commerce’s annual Parade of Lights, shoppers were still able to knock out some holiday shopping and earn tickets to win Albany Bucks.

Originally, the drawing for Albany Bucks was set for Saturday afternoon starting at 3:30 p.m.

After the parade was cancelled, Chamber director Mary Beth Jones announced that shoppers would have a few more days to earn tickets with boxes picked up on Tuesday morning at 10:00 a.m. 

By Sandy Morris

Last week, the Albany Chamber of Commerce made the difficult decision to cancel the annual Lighted Christmas Parade, along with all of the associated festivities, due to concerns over the increase in area COVID-19 cases. 

However, local resident Mackenzie Viertel is organizing an independent, totally volunteer-based community Christmas parade in order to carry on a favorite holiday tradition. 

By Melinda L. Lucas

With 10 positive COVID tests reported by the Shackelford County Health Clinic during the first two days of this week and more symtomatic patients on site at press time Wednesday morning, Albany and Moran seem to be mirroring the national surge of coronavirus cases.

Jera Fairley at the clinic said that 15 rapid  tests were administered Monday, Nov. 30, with eight positive, while of the nine tests given to local patients on Tuesday, two were positive.