By Donnie A. Lucas

The Albany Jr./Sr. High Student Council was busy collecting for a community-wide cause on Sunday, breaking a record with the amount they raised.

About 20 members of the council gathered to go trick or treating, but instead of traditional treats, they were collecting donations for the Albany Chest.

The group raised a record amount of $1,702 going door to door dressed in their Halloween finery.

By Sam Waller

The Feed Store will once again conduct “the ultimate hide-n-seek game” with the 26th Running Man event for youth.

The activities begin at 9:00 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29 at The Feed Store with teams of runners expected to start the competition by 10:00 p.m.

“There will be a speaker, and then we’ll go over all the rules,” Feed Store director Tisha Wilkins said.

Jamey Calvary of Abilene will address the participants before they are taken to their starting points.

A fund has been established in memory of Boone Askew, a former Albany resident, who died in a vehicle crash early Sunday morning, Oct. 23.

Boone, 17, went to school in Albany until his parents moved to Comanche several years ago. He graduated from Comanche High School in May.

His paternal grandparents, Gayala and Bronco Askew, are longtime Shackelford County residents.

The Boone Askew Memorial Fund has been set up at Texas Bank, 200 W. Central, Comanche TX 76442.

Checks can be made payable to Shawn or Angela Askew with the memo “Benefit for Boone Askew.”

The Williams Family of Callahan County was recognized during the the annual Callahan-Shackelford Farm Bureau County convention on Oct. 4 in Clyde.

The last time a Cal-Shack farm family was honored was in 2019 when Gerald and Ruby Petree of Shackelford County were presented the award.

Kelly Head of Albany was also honored during the meeting. Head, who has served three terms, is retiring from the Cal-Shack board of directors

I am amazed at your hospitality, love, care, and kindness. You have made me feel so welcome in your gracious communities. I will sincerely miss every one of you.

I am pleased and saddened at the same moment as I announce my retirement. It has been my greatest pleasure to serve you as your UPS delivery man for 17 and a half years. My last day to deliver to you will be Thursday, October 27.

By Sam Waller

The division races of the Albany NFL Flag Football League are heating up as the season enters its final two weeks.

Week 5 games start at 9:00 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Albany High School track infield.

The Cowboys in the Kindergarten-First Grade division and Broncos in the Fourth-Sixth Grade division remained perfect, improving to 4-0 to lead their respective groups.

The Titans moved into sole possession of first place in the Second-Third Grade division.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Chest has a fundraising goal of $47,000 for 2022 to help meet the needs of two dozen local organizations.

Applicants for funds range from youth sports leagues to senior citizens groups.

Here are a look at some of the applicants.

Albany 7-on-7

Albany 7-on-7 prepares teens from sixth grade through high school for competitive football, according to organizer Anthony Ceder.

The group is seeking $1,000 to help cover its operating budget for the coming year.

By Melinda L. Lucas

A new playground for the youngest students at Nancy Smith Elementary School was unveiled last week, with parents of this year’s Head Start class invited to a special opening party.

The three and four year olds got to play on the new equipment, which includes a four-piece slide with a rock climbing wall, for the first time on Oct. 20.

Also added to the playground was a stationary play fire truck and a new swing set.  A sidewalk now extends from the covered pavilion to the gate. The rest of the ground is covered in a soft rubber mulch.

The Albany News’ 17th annual holiday recipe section will be published in one month, with favorite recipes being solicited from all ages of current and former Albany and Moran chefs and bakers.

“We’ve had good response since we started publishing the recipe guides, and we’re looking forward to getting this one underway,” said News editor Melinda Lucas. “I’ve already heard from a couple of people.”

All kinds of recipes from appetizers and beverages to desserts are being requested.

By Sam Waller

Albany High School senior Briley Tabor has been selected to serve as Albany Lions Club Sweetheart for 2022-23, while Samantha Hinkle was chosen as her counterpoint from Moran High School.

“Sweethearts meet with us on Thursday every chance that they get, if their school schedules will permit,” ­Lions Club president Bob Skelton said. “They’re invited to assist us with fundraising or service projects, and if they’re available, they often participate.”