The annual membership meeting of the Albany Chamber of Commerce is scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 14, at the Icehouse Restaurant, starting at 12:00 noon. Chamber members will vote on a slate of directors whose terms have expired, followed by the election of officers for the next year.

The board will meet to elect officers for the coming year following the directors’ election. All Chamber members are welcome to attend the lunch. The cost of the meal is $15.

Lately, I have been pondering the condition of humankind almost daily. I try to step back and look at humanity and envision how our Great Creator must see His incredible creation. I must admit that I have concluded that we must be breaking His heart more days than not.

The reasons that bring me to this conclusion have nothing to do with events happening on a world level, wars, disease, or agendas. The main reason I surmise The Lord’s heart must be breaking in two is how we treat one another.

Richard Loyd Campbell

Richard Loyd Campbell, 82 of Abilene, passed away on Tuesday, February 4, 2025 in Abilene, Texas.

Visitation was on Monday February 10, 2025 at Oldham Lane Church of Christ 5049 Oldham Lane, Abilene, Texas 79602.

Funeral service was at Oldham Lane Church of Christ with Eddie Dunn and Clay Peterson co-officiating.

Burial with Texas DPS honors followed at Albany Cemetery in Albany, Texas.  Arrangements are with The Hamil Family Funeral Home 6449 Buffalo Gap Rd, Abilene, Texas 79606.

Frank Perry

Frank Perry, 95, died at his home on February 4, 2025. Funeral service was held at 1:00pm on Saturday, February 8, 2025 at the First Baptist Church, Throckmorton, with Rev. Pete Parker officiating. A visitation was held on Saturday, February 8, 2025. Burial followed at the Proffitt Cemetery under the direction of Smith Family Funeral Homes, Throckmorton.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Albany city council members approved an amended budget for the fiscal year 2024-2025 and set a time for a budget workshop on March 4 to look at figures for the start of the upcoming year, which is April 1, 2025.

The council also approved a proposal to build a city website and moved next month’s regular meeting time to Monday, March 17 in order not to conflict with spring break plans.

Amended Budget

By Melinda L. Lucas

With two contested races as of Tuesday, residents only have two more days to toss their hats into the local political ring for several local elections to be decided May 3.

Of the six elections, the Albany school board and Albany city council have contested races, with the Moran school board, Moran city council, and Shackelford County Hospital Board both drawing a full slate of candidates but no contests as of Wednesday morning.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Albany’s Gabby Lopez and Moran’s Ellis Hise were recently notified that they had received the 2025 Good Citizen Awards from the Lee’s Legion Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

The award, which emphasizes the qualities of good citizenship, also seeks high school seniors who show dependability, service, leadership, and patriotism in their homes, schools, and communities. 

This story was submitted by a student in response to last week’s Kids Corner Junior Journalist prompt, which challenged young writers to imagine a news article for the Albany News.

By London Dye

5th Grade

Last week Coach Faith found a secret treasure map from World War 2, while in the library looking for a football magazine.  The map claims there is a secret ice cream shop underground in Albany. Faith would not disclose the location to even his closest friends.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Lions secured their spot in the Class 2A Division II boys basketball playoffs last week with a pair of home victories, building momentum for the postseason.

“It was nice to get those wins because it allows us to move forward with our playoff plans and who we’re going to play,” coach Ryder Peacock said. “If we’d been in a tiebreaker, we’d have to wait until Friday to play that off. That would give us very little time to prepare for the playoffs.”

By Sam Waller

The Albany Lady Lions saw a difficult girls basketball season end on a frustrating note Tuesday, Feb. 4 with a 52-32 loss to Anson.

The Lady Lions finished the season 5-20 overall with a 2-10 mark in District 10-2A.

“I was really proud of the girls this year,” coach Ashlyn Bevel said. “This was my first year as a head coach. It was a fun year for me, and I appreciate all the work the girls did.”

The key point, Bevel said, was several pieces were put in place for the team to build on in the future.