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TheAlbanyJuniorHigh theater class presented the comedy “Happily Ever After” during a public performance on Tuesday, Nov. 14 at the high school auditorium in preparation for the UIL competition later this week.

Students and community members have only a couple of days to vote for the staff member who will wear the “Turkey Teacher” costumenextTuesday,Nov. 21 prior to the release for theThanksgivingholidays.

After a long search, a new staff member is joining the Old Jail Art Center’s Education Department as Family & Public Programs Coordinator. Stephanie Swaim of Abilene, a studio artist focused on printmaking and photography, officially began her duties alongside OJAC director of educator Erin Whitmore.

Students at Nancy Smith Elementary have had to use a make-shift computerlabastheschool’s library this semester while damage to the actual library has been repaired. Hopefully, the renovated space will be ready in thenexttwotothreeweeks for classes to use again, but they may not recognize the facility when they return.

City officials met for a brief session on Monday, Nov. 13, splitting the city’s 411 votes for the Shackelford County Appraisal District’s board of directors between Bruce Bailey and John Tate, current board members who also reside within the city limits.

The News will be printing Santa letters and holiday essays in the Christmas issue to be published on Thursday, Dec. 21.

♦ The Albany Lions took the first step forward on the Class 2A Division II football playoffs Thursday, Nov. 9 with a 60-0 bi-district victory over the Eldorado Eagles at Colorado City’s Wolf Stadium.

With the Albany Lions headed to the second round of the Class 2A Division II footballplayoffs,theAlbany Athletic Booster Club will hold a downtown pep rally at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 16 (tonight) at Bank Park.

Albany’s Kiana Roberson was named Most Valuable Player on the All-District 8-2A team as nine Lady Lions received spots on the team. The all-district team, selected by vote of the district coaches, was released after all district teams were eliminated from the playoffs.