A new music series is coming to Albany this winter as the Aztec Theater prepares to host The Aztec Sessions, a lineup of concerts sponsored and organized by Goodnight Steakhouse and Saloon. The downtown venue has seen steady activity during the past several years, and the new series is intended to give Albany a consistent schedule of live music during the winter months.
A Moran ISD bus overturned Thursday morning while en route to pick up students in Breckenridge. The incident occurred around 6:00 a.m. at the intersection of FM 576 and CR 292 in Stephens County.
According to Superintendent Dr. John Denson, the bus was heading to Breckenridge when driver Brad Stautzenberger encountered a deer in the roadway while negotiating a sharp curve on wet roads.
“The driver was restrained, and the bus had just received new brakes and tires before school started in August,” Denson said. “He was not injured, and no students were on board.”
The Albany Lions battled through a slow first half and a ball-control strategy from Quanah before surging in the second half to earn a 35 to 15 win Friday night in Holliday. The playoff victory sends Albany into a highly anticipated regional matchup against defending state champion Muenster.
“Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; and he fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving him thanks.” (Luke 17:15-16)
The other day I went to the courthouse to renew the registration on my car. The whole thing, from the time I left my house until I returned with the registration, took less than 15 minutes. If I was still living in a big city, it might have taken hours. It’s a small thing, but I appreciate that convenience.
The Albany Masonic Lodge held a special ceremony on Saturday, November 15, to honor longtime member Sammy Joe Rippey for 50 years of service in Freemasonry. Family and local lodge members gathered at the Albany Lodge to celebrate the milestone. Rippey’s wife, Barbara, was also in attendance.
Love the Lord with all your heart! Jesus tells us in John 13:34, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.” Jesus also tells us in John 15:13, “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.”
Jesus and His love always forgives, and is patient, thoughtful, never gets angry and is kind even to one’s enemies. That is why Jesus laid His life down for you and me!
Albany Junior High theater students delivered a strong showing at the 2025 UIL district one-act play contest on Nov. 13 with their performance of The Book of Dog by Jiggs Burgess.
The production earned Best Performer for Parker Rose, Honorable Mention All-Star Cast for Patton Smith, and the Tech Award for sound technician Iathan Torres.
Director Nickie Leveridge, in her first year leading the junior high program alongside Kay Leigh Oliver, praised the students for their commitment and rapid growth.
Albany athlete Hunter Waddell brought home a gold medal after competing in the 2025 Special Olympics Area 14 Bowling Competition in San Angelo.
The event, held November 14-15 at Stadium Lanes in San Angelo, featured teams from across the Area 14 region, including delegations from Abilene, Brownwood and San Angelo. Athletes spent two days competing in multiple divisions.
Waddell competed as part of a four-member team called The Goats. In the championship match, he rolled a solid score of 208 to help secure the gold medal for his team.
The Albany Lions opened the playoffs with a strong showing Thursday night in Graham, powering past Santo 34–18 to secure the Bi-District championship and extend their postseason run.
Albany controlled the pace from the start, stacking up 429 yards of total offense and moving the chains 24 times. The Lions leaned on a balanced attack that kept Santo guessing—154 yards rushing paired with 275 yards through the air.
In Albany, mention of the “Bazaar” means the holidays are near — and this year’s event carries extra significance. Matthews Memorial Presbyterian Church will celebrate the 125th anniversary of its first Bazaar this Saturday, Nov. 15, continuing one of the town’s oldest and most beloved community traditions. What began as a small gathering of church women raising funds for local mission work in 1900 has grown into an annual event that continues to bring together friends, families, and neighbors from across the area.
