By Sam Waller

The Albany Lions are on the cusp of clinching a spot in the boys basketball playoffs after sweeping their District 10-2A games last week against Haskell and Hamlin.

Entering an open date on Tuesday, Jan. 31, the Lions (10-3 overall, 6-2 district) were one game away from qualifying and could clinch if both Haskell and Stamford lost earlier in the week.

Albany visits Stamford at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 3. A win in that game would also assure the Lions a playoff bid.

By Sam Waller

Project Graduation will offer babysitting services on Saturday, Feb. 11 as a fundraiser for the Albany High School Class of 2023.

Project Graduation organizer Amanda Tabor said care will be provided for children from potty trained to 10 years old from 6:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. at the Youth Center.

“All of our seniors have signed up,” Tabor said. “They will actually be the babysitters for group babysitting, and there will a be  a few of us moms around. Resource Care is donating use of the building.”

By Donnie A. Lucas

The election of board members and officers will be the main items of business at the Friday, Feb. 3 luncheon of the Albany Chamber of Commerce.

All Chamber members are invited to attend the annual meeting to fill four places on the board of directors for a three-year term. The meeting will be held at the Icehouse Restaurant at 12:00 noon. The cost of the meal is $12.

By Sam Waller

Four Shackelford County 4-H teams placed in the District 7 Food Challenge, held Wednesday, Jan. 25 at San Angelo.

“The day went great,” Shackelford County extension agent Kelsey Bell said. “A couple of those teams were all new to this, had never done it before, and they did great.”

The True Grits team of Luke Smith, Ayers Bezner, Truitt Burton, and Gage Burton, coached by Alicia Burton, finished second in side dish.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Even though the Albany Chest fell short of its $47,000 goal by $5,000, the board gave away well over that amount at a brief meeting on Jan. 25.

The 2022 campaign was closed out last week at $42,003, but with reserves in the account, the board ended up allocating just under the goal amount.

When the directors met back in October 2022, they came up with a total of $46,650 for the 25 applicants, with many of the requests trimmed back from the original grand total of $55,078.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Because of winter weather, the pick-up dates for the February distribution of the commodity food program are being pushed back a week to Thursday, Feb. 9 and Friday, Feb. 10, according to Justice of the Peace James Breeden, who coordinates the program.

“The schedule and process will be exactly the same, just a week later,” said Breeden.

Moran families can pick up their food at Moran City Hall between 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 9.

Albany pickup will be Friday, Feb. 10 from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. at the rear door of the JP office.

By Melinda L. Lucas

An Albany blood drive is set for tomorrow, Feb. 3.

Hendrick Regional Blood Center will park the bloodmobile at First Baptist Church at the usual time from 1:00 to 6:00 p.m.

Local donors are reminded that drives will be held on Fridays this year rather Thursdays.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Weather permitting, the staff at the Old Jail Art Center will welcome families into the Stasney Center on Saturday, Feb. 4 for a three-hour celebration of the New Year of the Trees, known as Tu BiShvat.

Starting at 1:00 p.m, participants can enjoy traditional food, art, and games observing the centuries-old Arbor Day tradition from Israel, according to Kirsten Hahn, Family and Public Programs Coordinator at the Old Jail.

“We’ll be celebrating with fun crafts, games, food, music, and more,” said Hahn.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Because of bad weather, the deadline for taxes assessed during 2022 will not be delinquent until Feb. 3.

Instead of Jan. 31, the deadline for payment is now Thursday, Feb. 2, according to Shackelford County chief appraiser Clayton Snyder.

Payments made in person at 132 Hill St. will be accepted through the end of today, as will mailed payments postmarked no later than Feb. 2, 2023.

Anything in the drop box by the start of business of Friday, Feb. 3 will not be considered delinquent.

By Donnie A. Lucas

After a final weekend that well may have broken all records during a 40-year run, the doors on an Albany institution – Fort Griffin General Merchandise Restaurant and Beehive Saloon – swung shut for the final time Saturday.

The local eatery operated by Ali and Patty Esfandiary and family hosted a farewell weekend on Thursday through Saturday as a way to say goodbye to their many customers locally  throughout the Big Country.