By Sam WallerThe Albany Volunteer Fire Department presented Chief Travis Gardenhire with the 2021 Firefighter of the Year merit award at its annual Christmas party and meeting on Monday, Dec. 6.

By Donnie A. LucasOver 525 Christmas wreaths were placed on the graves of local veterans at the Albany Cemetery last Saturday during the second annual observance of Wreaths Across America Day.

By Sam WallerThe Albany Lions varsity basketball team went 3-1 last week at the Hermleigh tournament in its first action of the season.The Lions, who didn’t start practice until after the football team completed its season, got started on Thursday, Dec.

By Sam WallerThe slow starts that have beleaguered the Albany girls basketball team basketball team continued as the Lady Lions dropped their District 10-2A opener on Tuesday, Dec. 14, 89-21 at Haskell.

By Sam WallerAfter a slow fall dove season, the outlook for the winter season is also disappointing for outdoorsmen, according to game warden Jacob Mort.The winter season opened Dec. 17 and runs through Jan. 2.“Everything as far as hunting migratory birds is below average this year,” Mort said.

Moran ISD offices and schools are closed for the holiday break.Teachers and staff will return to work on Monday, Jan. 3, with a staff development day.Classes resume on Tuesday, Jan. 4.School holidays are scheduled for Monday, Jan, 17, and Friday, Jan. 21. The end of the six weeks is Friday, Feb. 11.

By Sam WallerThe Moran Lady Bulldogs split a pair of home games last week, winning in their final outing before the holiday break, while the varsity boys teams suffered a pair of losses.On Tuesday, Dec.

By Sam WallerShackelford County FFA and 4-H members are in the final month of getting animals ready for the county stock show, and members of the Shackelford County Youth and Livestock Association are doing their parts to make the event a success.Members of the association met Dec. 7.

By Melinda L. LucasThe start of a new year is a time for celebrating, and local emergency responders remind county residents to make sure that any fireworks used in the festivities are handled safely and legally.

By Sam WallerA Shackelford County landmark was damaged and a well-traveled road in the county cut off just before Thanksgiving.The Landreth Dam bridge has been closed to traffic since Nov.