The filing period for local elections to various entities such as the school board, city council, and hospital board will begin Wednesday, Jan. 17.

The Albany Academic Booster Club is continuing to seek contributions for a $125,000 fundraising campaign in order to provide recognition for academic achievement, as well as support the local school district with various projects. Since the group was reorganized four years ago, the ABC has made a total investment in academic programs of almost $133,000,accordingtoABC chair Tamara Trail.

Work has begun on the deteriorating roof of the Nancy Smith Elementary School gym, with repairs expectedtofinishedaround mid-January, according to Albany ISD superintendent Jonathan Scott. Scott andAISD trustees have been discussing the worsening condition of the building, which was built in the 1950s, for more than a year, with roof leaks causing extensive damage to several parts of the structure.

Albany students and staff will head back to the classroom next week, with teachersandstaffreporting on Monday, Jan. 8, and students coming the following day on Tuesday, Jan 9.

During September, on the late Robert Nail’s birth date, and on through the Albany High School homecoming week, support was sought during the annual fundraising drive for “Dollars for Bob’s Scholarships.”

Two Albany FFA students brought home prizes from the Arizona National Livestock Show, held Dec. 27-31 in Phoenix.

Christmas Day meal Approximately 125 meals were served by volunteers from Matthews Memorial Presbyterian Church and the rest of the community as part of the annual MMPC Christmas Feast. The total was a slight increase over the 110 or so meals served the year before.

About 20 Shackelford County 4-H members took part in the club’s annual leaf-raking community service project on Wednesday, Dec. 20, in the final club activity of 2023.

written by local pastors Albany Ministerial Alliance — OFFICERS — President.............. Luke Spraberry V-President............

As scheduled, Albany families can pick up their January food commodities this Friday, Jan. 5, with Moran distribution scheduled the day before.