By Sam WallerA group of about 35 youth and adult volunteers began the new year with the Albany Youth Ministry Winter Ski Trip and Christian Adventure.The Jan. 2-6 trip to Crested Butte, Colorado, included three days of skiing as well as morning and evening activities.

By Donnie A. LucasAn Albany junior will travel to Big Spring on Friday to prepare for the All-Region Band Concert on Saturday.Ashley Sanchez earned a seat on the All-Region Band during tryouts held in December at Midland Greenwood High School.

By Donnie A. LucasAlbany students and staff were back in the classroom this week after a longer than usual Christmas break and will be off two days next week.The next scheduled school holiday is set for Monday, Jan.

By Melinda L. LucasEven though the $47,000 Albany Chest goal has still not been reached, board members plan to meet in the next two weeks to distribute funding to 25 different organizations.As of Tuesday, Jan.

By Sam WallerTwo Albany FFA students are readying ag mechanics projects for entry in contests at the Fort Worth and San Angelo stock shows in the coming weeks.Junior Ayden Balliew has constructed a high rack for hunting, while sophomore Jacob Hale built a deer blind on a trailer.

By Sam WallerThe Albany Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual business meeting at noon Friday, Feb. 3 at the Beehive.Chamber officer Lisa Barton said board elections will be held in addition to discussing other business.

By Melinda L. LucasA quorum of Albany city council members met with mayor Susan Montgomery in a very short regular meeting on Monday night, Jan. 9, taking care of a couple of routine agenda items in less than 15 minutes.

By Melinda L. LucasShackelford County commissioners gave the go-ahead for installation of fiber-optic cabling to the Courthouse and Shackelford County Law Enforcement Center during a meeting on Monday morning, Jan. 9.

By Melinda L. LucasWith the filing period for local elections opening next Wednesday, Jan. 18 and those elections coming up on May 6, county clerk Cheri Hawkins reminds local voters that they can apply for an “annual ballot” for 2023 if they are eligible.

By Melinda L. LucasAs is typical, property tax payments at the Shackelford County Appraisal District accelerated just before the end of the year and have continued to come in steadily, according to chief appraiser Clayton Snyder.