Longtime Albany resident and businessman Jim Robertson, now living in Plano with his wife Josie, was recognized by theAlbany Masonic Lodge last week with a 60-year service award. The ceremony was held on Wednesday, Dec.

Christmas Eve falls on Sunday this year, and several local churches are celebrating the birth of Christ with special observances, some during their morning services and others that evening. Schedules for other churchesinthecommunity were not available.

written by local pastors Several years ago a disc jockey in Davenport, Iowa, with the interesting name, Jack Daniels, decided to give a Christmas gift to his listeners. In a three hour period Jack played one Christmas song 27 times in succession.

Albany Ministerial Alliance organizers were pleased with the first year of a big change in the way their Christmas gifts are distributed. The Alliance transitioned from the traditional food basket given in years past to a more personal approach, asking that applicants attend services in participating churches the first Sunday in December, then return the next week to pick up their gifts.

TheAlbanyPTOofficers held a reveal reception at the Nancy Smith Elementary library Monday to show school board members, administrators, and other guests the murals that were commissioned to cover the walls inside the newly renovated facility. The paintings of the 18 murals are of scenes or title art from classic children’s books spanning a variety of age groups.

Albany students and staffstartedtheChristmas break on Wednesday at noon with an early release. The holiday break will continue until Monday Jan.

Albany students at both AlbanyISDcampuseswere placed on a lockdown for about 15 minutes last Wednesday, Dec. 13 as a result of a possible threat neartheelementaryschool.

Students receive certificates at meeting Trustees for the Albany Independent School District heard updates on issues ranging from last week’s school lockdown and legislative concerns to the elementary library reveal and student success in a number of areas. At the beginning of Monday night’s regular session, 10 Nancy Smith Elementary School students were presented with certificates and introduced to the school board in recognition of their recent first place finishes in UIL academic competition.

With a newly added football field and Albany Lion players and spectators, a large lighted Christmas village will be open to the public for viewing all day Thursday and Friday throughout the workday and also from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

The start of a new year is a time for celebrating, and local emergency responders remind county residents to make sure that any fireworks used in the festivities are handled safely and legally. More favorable conditions sparked the county commissioners to discontinue the county burn ban in November, and fortunately, therehavebeenfew fires over the last several months.