By Sam Waller

The Albany Junior High Lady Cubs Red team won the eighth grade division of the Albany Junior High Girls Tournament on Saturday, Jan. 8, during a busy stretch for the local teams.

The junior high teams played Abilene Christian on Thursday, Jan. 6, and Cisco on Monday, Jan. 11. The boys seventh and eighth grade teams will play in the Olney tournament on Saturday, Jan. 15, before the regular schedule resumes against Hawley on Monday, Jan. 17.

Red Girls

By Sam Waller

The Albany Lady Lions got an unexpected rest during the holiday break when it was forced to pull out of the Eula tournament.

Coach Tate Thompson said the task now is to make the situation work to the team’s advantage.

“From a positive standpoint, we got a little rest and got rejuvenated,” Thompson said. “We played a lot of games trying to get in shape. Not playing those games probably hurt us a little bit because we need more experience, but maybe we’ll come back a little refreshed and be ready to go.”

By Melinda L. Lucas

Just a couple of days before Christmas, almost $12,000 was still needed to reach the Albany Community Chest’s 2021 record goal of $46,000.

Then, with last-minute reminder cards in the mail and local residents winding up their year-end giving, the campaign surged, and a report earlier this week showed that contributions had moved well over the 100 percent mark. 

By Donnie A. Lucas

After a week of fewer positive test results just before Christmas, the number of COVID-19 cases rose again last week, according to a report issued by Shackelford County judge Robert Skelton on Monday.

For the week of Dec. 27-31, a total of 52 ­COVID-19 tests were administered at the local testing sites, with 18 positive cases reported.

Only five positive cases were reported for the week of Dec. 20-24 out of the 25 tests administered.

By Melinda L. Lucas

At a Dec. 27 meeting, Shackelford County commissioners heard an update from 259th Judicial District chief probation officer Jon Cooke about the possible need for additional funding to pay housing of a local juvenile placed in Hayes County.

Cooke reported that a $25,000 grant had been approved from his region for the juvenile’s continued care, which should be enough support until April 2022. 

Additional funding from Shackelford County may be required later in the year, but the item was tabled for now.

Redistricting Plan

By Sam Waller

Planning continues for the Shackelford County livestock show with fundraisers underway and a work day at the county show barn scheduled.

The show will be held Jan 20-22.

Bronco Askew, president of the Shackelford Youth and Livestock Association, said a finance committee meeting on Monday, Jan. 10, is the next step.

“We’re going to try to finalize getting the monies appropriated,” he said. “We’ve sent out fundraising letters, and now everybody’s noses are to the grindstone getting ready.”

By Donnie A. Lucas

Pick-up dates for the January distribution of the commodity food program are set for today (Thursday) in Moran and tomorrow for Albany recipients.

The monthly food program will be held from 9:00 until 11:00 a.m. at the Moran City Hall today, and again Friday from 9:00 until 11:00 a.m. in Albany at the Justice of the Peace office on the courthouse square.

All current participants were sent an application form for the 2022 program that must be completed and returned in order to be certified as qualifying for the program during the coming year.

By Sam Waller

The Old Jail Art Center has received a pledge from the Charles E. Jacobs Foundation to match up to $100,000 for the museum’s Annual Appeal fundraising effort.

The pledge is quadruple  that made by the foundation the last two years.

“Everything is going really well with the Annual Appeal and we appreciate all the people giving,” Susan Montgomery, OJAC’s membership and development coordinator, said. “And there’s still time to give.”

By Sam Waller

Commencement may be more than four months away, but fundraising for Albany’s 2022 Project Graduation is moving into high gear.

Kenzie Fairchild, one of the parents organizing the event, said the first of three fundraisers scheduled for January started this week.

“On Wednesday, all students elementary through high school received order forms for our Project Graduation Valentine sale,” Fairchild said. “We’ll have Oreo truffles and little gifts like stuffed animals. Those forms will be due Jan. 31 and items will be delivered on Feb. 14.”

By Donnie A. Lucas

Albany High School’s annual Winter Formal is set for Saturday, Jan. 8 starting at 8:00 p.m. at the Whitney Theatre, with the presentation of the court at 9:00 p.m.

Each of the four high school classes have nominated a senior boy and girl for the honor of Mr. and Miss AHS, with the crowning serving as the highlight of the evening.

The three lower classes have also selected nominees for Winter Formal Prince and Princess for each class.