By Sam Waller

Judging for the Albany Chamber of Commerce’s house decorating contest will be held this weekend, but Chamber manager Mary Beth Jones said there is still time to enter.

“If someone wants to enter a house, they can text that name and address to me at 325-669-1831,” Jones said.

Judging will be held Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Winners will be announced Monday.

First place will receive 100 Albany Bucks, with 75 for second place and 50 for third. Residents must be entered to be judged for the contest.

By Donnie A. Lucas

A number of students in grades two through eight competed in the district UIL Academic Meet over the last few weeks, with the second through fifth grade elementary students earning third place overall and the grade six through eighth competitors taking fourth place.

The meets, which were hosted by Albany schools, were conducted virtually for the most part again this year due to concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic.

By Sam Waller

Eduardo San Lucas has worked with children from age 3 through high school. As the new youth minister at First Baptist Church of Albany, he will minister to about 40 youth in junior high and high school.

San Lucas, who began his duties on Dec. 1, said he wasn’t pursuing the job when it was offered.

“I think the Lord opened this door for me without me even asking for the position,” he said. “It was a blessing from God.”

By Sam Waller

Albany churches are will conduct special services in addition to holding more social activities as part of their Christmas celebrations in the coming week.

Friendship Baptist

Friendship Baptist Church will hold candlelight services at 10:30 a.m. this Sunday, Dec. 19.

Pastor Paul Johnston said Sunday School classes will not be held this week.

Trinity Lutheran

Trinity Lutheran Church will have a Christmas Eve Children’s service at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 24.

By Sam Waller

The Old Jail Art Center continues its tradition of celebrating Christmas around the world with a family festival on Saturday, Dec. 18.

“Las Posadas” will highlight Christmas celebrations in Mexico. Last year, the OJAC featured Italian holiday celebrations, and other nations have been spotlighted in past years.

The event, scheduled for 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Saturday, is the last of several special family festivals held during the year.

By Sam Waller

Pickup for Toys for Tots concludes Thursday (today) with ResourceCare distributing gifts to Shackelford County children.

ResourceCare project coordinator Mindy Ary said gifts may be picked up at the Youth Center from 8:00 a.m. to noon today. Gifts were also picked up Wednesday.

Gifts were purchased for 90 children in the county.

Marine SSgt. Doug Beaty coordinates the local drive, which provides toys for children in need from infants to 11 years old.

Adopt-a-Senior

Winford (Sarge) Sargent, age 67 of Albany, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2021. Graveside funeral services with full military honors were held Monday, Dec. 13 at Albany Cemetery with Clint Chapman officiating. Interment followed under the direction of Morehart Mortuary.

Winford Dennis Sargent was born June 24, 1954 in Albany, Texas to Walter Dennis “WD” Sargent and Margie Sue Moore Sargent. He married Tracey Dover on Jan. 9, 1988 in Abilene. 

By Sam Waller

The semifinals are called the cruelest round of the state football playoffs.

The Albany Lions learned that the hard way last Thursday, falling one step short of a shot at the Class 2A Division II title with a 35-14 loss to the Stratford Elks at Lubbock’s Lowrey Field.

“Our kids gave us everything that we asked of them and played as hard as they could,” Lions head coach Denney Faith said. “It just wasn’t meant to be.”

By Sam Waller

The Albany Lions dominated District 8-2A Division II during the season and were rewarded with 20 players earning places on the all-district team.

The Lions collected 24 spots, including five of six superlative awards, and had three players honored for both offense and defense.

The all-district team was selected by vote of district coaches after the regular season.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Junior High Cubs and Lady Cubs basketball teams made a clean sweep of their games against Anson on Monday.

Playing at home, the seventh grade boys won 25-15 with the eighth grade boys winning 55-18.

In games played at Anson, the girls White team won 31-6 while the girls Red team won 25-17.

The games were the last before the holiday break. Albany will resume play on Thursday, Jan. 6, against Abilene Christian. The girls will be at home with the boys on the road.

8th Grade Boys