Olivia Reames, age 85 of Albany, passed away Monday, Dec. 5, 2022. Graveside services were held Wednesday, Dec. 7 at the Albany Cemetery pavilion with Jeff Pleasant officiating. Interment followed under the direction of Morehart Mortuary.

Olivia Mae Salters was born July 19, 1937 in Olney, Texas to Gordon Salters and Nancy Catherine Sides Salters. She graduated in May of 1955 from Albany High School. She met John Douglas Reames in October of 1954 on a blind date. They were soon married on June 14, 1955.

Melanie Dawn Mitchell, 54, of Albany, TX passed away on Nov. 30, 2022.

Melanie was born on Jan. 28, 1968, to Eugene Edward Mitchell and Sharon Midkiff Mitchell in Gorman, TX. Melanie was baptized at Moran First Baptist Church.

She attended Moran School and graduated from Albany Jr./Sr. High School. She went on to study at Texas A&M University where she majored in pre-veterinary science and minored in “social studies” also known as “partying.”

By Melinda L. Lucas

Pick-up dates for the November distribution of the commodity food program are Thursday, Dec. 8 and Friday, Dec. 9.

In addition to the regular foods, families who pick up next week will receive an extra “Christmas Bag” to make up for the “Thanksgiving Bags” that were scheduled to go out last month.

County justice of the peace James Breeden, who oversees the program, said that products were not available for the usual holiday bags in early November, so he is giving Christmas foods to make up for it.

By Sam Waller

Producers needing to accrue Continuing Education Units can do so Thursday, Dec. 8 at the Big Country CEU Conference in Abilene.

The day-long program will consist of six one-hour classes covering different topics. Five Agriculture CEUs and up to six Structural CEUs will be offered.

“It’s an opportunity for people to get CEUs at the end of the year if anyone needs them,” said Shackelford County Extension agent Kelsey Bell, who will help with the event. “This is an opportunity to get several.”

By Sam Waller

The Moran Bulldogs and Lady Bulldogs get to spend a weekend at home as they host the Moran Holiday Tournament Thursday-Saturday, Dec. 1-3.

After taking last week off for Thanksgiving break, Moran resumed play Tuesday, Nov. 29, with boys and girls games at Paint Rock. Results will be reported next week.

Both teams will face Trent on Thursday in the first round of the tournament. The girls will start at 6:00 p.m. and the boys at 7:30 p.m.

Local families in need had a sweeter Thanksgiving, thanks to a project organized by Boy Scout Troop 255’s Wolf and Bear Dens.

The troop members and their families packed up Thanksgiving meal baskets as part of what will be an annual campaign to help out families in need in Shackelford County, according to Den Leader Tiffany Waddell.

“This year’s meal baskets benefited nine families,” said Waddell. “Their Thanksgiving dinners were completed with turkey and all the fixings.”

By Sam Waller

Moran ISD resumed classes this week after taking last week off for Thanksgiving break.

“We just had to hit the ground running because we’ve got so much stuff going on,” principal Jo Hise said.

By Sam Waller

Deadline for registering to play for the Albany Little Dribblers fifth and sixth grade basketball teams is Thursday, Dec. 1 (today).

A $35 per-child fee includes a team shirt.

Registration forms are available at Nancy Smith Elementary School. Completed forms  and the fee should be returned to the school or delivered to Clint Chapman by the deadline.

Practices will start after the registration process is complete.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Junior High Cubs and Lady Cubs basketball teams took on opponents from Cisco and Hawley the last two weeks, squeezing in their Thanksgiving break between games.

The local teams resume action Monday, Dec. 5 against Hamlin with the girls at home and the boys on the road. Games start at 5:30 p.m. at both locations.

On Monday, Nov. 21 against Cisco at home, the Lady Cubs Red team lost 48-12, and the White team lost 35-6. In Cisco, the seventh grade boys won 31-19, the eighth grade lost 37-15, and the combo team lost 23-14.

By Sam Waller

The Albany JV Basketball Tournament will see teams from eight schools play 24 games over the weekend at the Albany gyms.

Albany will have freshman and JV teams competing, as will Breckenridge, Jim Ned, Graham, and Sweetwater. Cross Plains, Stamford, and Woodson JV teams are also entered.

Albany JV will play Breckenridge JV at 10:10 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 1 in the main gym. The Albany and Breckenridge freshmen will follow at 11:20 a.m.