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.

Founded in the fall of 2010 after director Lori Reames posted a simple Facebook message about a coat and clothing drive, Closet Angels quickly grew beyond its original mission and began operating from the Allen House building, where it has served families since its earliest days.

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.

No-thru-traffic signs approved

Following discussion of increased traffic in the Hamby area, the court unanimously approved the installation of “No Thru Traffic” signage on County Roads 150 and 151.

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 result is the Kolby Hughes Memorial benefit drive, a fundraiser created to help provide equipment and materials for a new training and physical fitness room at the Albany fire station.

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.

At Haskell, Albany struggled to find any rhythm early, managing little offense through much of the first half before closing strong to pull within three at the break. The Lions then used a big third-quarter run to take control.

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., with the varsity girls scheduled to play following the JV boys at approximately 6:15 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.

Howe anchored Albany’s defense throughout the fall, consistently disrupting opposing offenses and setting the tone up front in what was another deep playoff run for the Lions.

Senior Calhan Fairchild was also recognized by the publication as one of the area’s offensive standouts, earning a spot on the Big Country Blitz offensive stars list.

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. He was an OTR truck driver and worked for Bob Green as a Dozer operator for 15 years.

Dennis was preceded in death by both parents, brothers, Cecil, Geronimo, and Chub, and sisters, Madelene and Esta Rae, son, Dennis Ray “Piney” Hawley Jr.

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. “The quality of whitetails that were taken across the county were up. Not like we saw three or four years ago, but still much better than average.”