Closet Angels Ministry, a longtime Albany outreach effort that has quietly met some of the community’s most basic needs for the past 15 years, is beginning a new chapter as leaders seek a temporary home and launch a campaign to purchase a permanent facility.

Shackelford County Commissioners Court met Monday, Jan. 12, approving new traffic restrictions in the Hamby area and continuing discussion on safety concerns at a busy highway intersection.

When Gary and Emily Hughes lost their son Kolby in October, they began looking for a way to honor his memory in a meaningful way. The local couple decided that effort should focus on supporting the Albany Volunteer Fire Department, where Gary Hughes now serves as a volunteer.

The Albany Lions boys basketball team worked through a pair of difficult shooting nights last week but still came away with two district wins, defeating Haskell 62-50 on the road on Jan. 6 and Abilene TLCA 65-45 at home on Jan. 9.

The Albany Lady Lions split district games last week, losing to Haskell and defeating TLCA.They lost to Cisco on Tuesday night 21-88, with details to be published next week.The girls will continue district play this week, hosting Anson on Friday, Jan. 16. The JV girls will tip off at 4 p.m.

Albany senior Tristan Howe was named the 2025 Big Country Blitz Class 2A Division II Defensive MVP after a dominant season in the trenches for the Lions.

MARY’S PRECIOUS OINTMENT

Dennis Ray Hawley, age 74, of Moran, Texas, passed away on Saturday, December 27, 2025. A celebration of Life will be held at Moran Community Center.Dennis was born in Knox City, TX, to 0.C. and Joyce Caldwell Hawley on November 11, 1951.

Jack Hopkins, 73 of Albany, passed away Tuesday, January 6, 2026. A memorial service was held at 11am, Saturday, January 10th at the Albany Cemetery Pavilion. Cremation arrangements have been entrusted to Morehart Mortuary.

The 2025-2026 general deer season officially closed Sunday, January 4, and local game warden Jake Mort says Shackelford County hunters wrapped up an above-average year in both numbers and quality.“Across the board, I think it was an above-average season,” Mort said.