By Donnie A. Lucas

A group of registered nurses from Lubbock will present a pair of programs next Thursday, Jan. 13 both for secondary school students and the public on the dangers of using illegal and synthetic drugs, including the use of vaping products.

Students in grades 7-12 will participate in the program, which is conducted by the University Medical Center’s Nurses Educating on Illegal Drugs and Synthetics (NEIDS),  at 11:00 a.m. in the high school auditorium.

By Sam Waller

Approximately two dozen junior high and high school students, along with adult leaders, had to deal with a last-minute change of plans but were able to enjoy their ski trip over the Christmas holiday.

Matthews Memorial Presbyterian Church pastor Anthony Ceder said the annual trip wound up at a different resort in a different state.

By Sam Waller

Volunteers from Matthews Memorial Presbyterian Church and the rest of the community served approximately 120 meals as part of the annual MMPC Christmas Feast.

Event organizer Tamara Trail said recipients of the meals were fairly evenly split between those who came to the church on Christmas Day and those who had food delivered, covering a broad spectrum of the community.

By Sam Waller

Voter registration cards for Shackelford County were mailed out on Tuesday, Jan. 4, in time for the March 1 primary elections.

“We have to have them postmarked by Jan. 12, so we got them out in plenty of time for that deadline,” said Belinda Perez in the county voter registration office.

Anyone wishing to register to vote in one of the primaries has until Jan. 31 to do so. State law requires voters to be registered 30 days before voting in an election.

By Melinda L. Lucas

The City of Albany will test the emergency warning siren at 12:00 noon on Wednesday, Jan. 12, as it does the second Wednesday of every month, depending on the weather.

The tests keep citizens familiar with the three warning sounds, and they are also used to make sure that the siren, computer, software, and radios are working correctly.

The siren should sound one of the three emergency tones at noon on that day, but the siren is not tested if the weather is questionable, according to local fire chief Travis Gardenhire. 

By Melinda L. Lucas

The first Chamber luncheon of 2022 is scheduled for Friday, Jan. 7 at the Beehive.

Chamber luncheons are held each Friday from 12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m. and are open to anyone who would like to get involved and help with the various Chamber projects throughout the year.

For more information on any current or future Chamber events, contact Jones at the Chamber office at 325-762-2525. 

By Sam Waller

The Albany Lions boys varsity basketball team stumbled in its first District 10-2A outing before taking its holiday break and using the time to practice for the remainder of district play.

Albany (4-2 overall, 1-1 district) lost to Hawley before Christmas, then resumed competition on Tuesday, Jan. 4, with a district game at Hamlin. The Lions won easily 52-12, with details to be reported next week.

By Sam Waller

Albany’s Sarah Cotter was named to the Texas Girls Coaches Association Class 2A all-state volleyball team and was one of three Lady Lions to earn academic all-state honors.

Cotter, a senior middle blocker, led the Lady Lions with 541 kills and 64 blocks as Albany won the District 8-2A championship and advanced to the Region II-2A tournament. She also recorded 103 aces on 414 service attempts and had 216 digs.

By Sam Waller

Local fifth and sixth grade basketball players will tip off their season Saturday, Jan. 8, with four teams competing against opponents from other area towns.

“We’ve been practicing for about a week now,” league coordinator and coach Clint Chapman said.

Chapman said Albany’s boys team will play at Eula with the girls teams at Hawley. Albany will have four teams in the league with boys and girls teams for both fifth and sixth graders.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Junior High Cubs and Lady Cubs basketball teams resume play tonight (Thursday) following the holiday break.

The Lady Cubs will host Abilene Christian, while the boys teams visit Abilene Christian. Games start at 5:30 p.m. at both locations.

The games start the second round of the junior high schedule. Competition will revert to Mondays starting next week (Jan. 10) with the boys hosting Cisco and the girls playing at Cisco.