Lynsi's Local Beat: The Prairie Star Pizza Saga
By Lynsi Musselman
Filing opens for local elections
By Melinda L. Lucas
Filing opened last Wednesday, Jan. 15 for the local May 3 elections, with several incumbents and one newcomer signing up as of Tuesday’s press deadline.
Candidates have until Friday, Feb. 14 to file for the local elections, each of which could be cancelled if there are not opposed races.
Albany ISD
Board of Trustees
Community meeting set to revive Moran History Museum
By Melinda L. Lucas
A meeting is planned for Tuesday, Jan. 14 for all those interested in helping preserve and restore the Moran History Museum, which is housed in the former First Christian Church.
The meeting will start at 6:30 p.m. at the Moran Community Center.
Plans finalized for county stock show
By Melinda L. Lucas
With the local stock show just two weeks away, plans are in the final stages for both fundraising and logistics.
The Shackelford Youth and Livestock Association met on Dec. 17 to continue with plans for this year’s county stock show, which is scheduled for Thursday-Saturday, Jan. 16-18, at the county show barn. A total of 132 youth from Albany FFA, Moran FFA and Shackelford County 4-H have entered about 225 livestock projects.
Neece finds role with A&M football program
By Sam Waller
With his personal and family history, it’s not too big of a surprise Albany native Brooks Neece found a way to be involved in college football.
Neece, a 2022 Albany graduate and one of four brothers to play for Lions coach Denney Faith, caught on as a student video assistant with the A&M football program this season, culminating in a trip to the Las Vegas Bowl.
MMPC serves 130 Christmas meals
By Melinda L. Lucas
Approximately 130 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 125 or so meals served the year before.
The meals were only offered on a carry-out basis with everything either delivered or picked up.
As in past years, meals were delivered to Vittles by Vehicles recipients, first responders, and others working on Christmas Day, with 100 deliveries and 30 pickups.
NSES Jingle Run a holiday hit
More than 200 Nancy Smith Elementary School students participated Wednesday, Dec. 11, in the school’s inaugural Jingle Run with dozens of turkeys handed out to families in the community.
“I’d say we had about 95 percent of the school there,” said NSES PE teacher Makinzie Tomascik, who organized the event with fellow PE teacher Ashlyn Bevel.” The kids had a lot of fun doing it and the parents showed up and were supportive. A lot of kids and families got to take a turkey home.”
Albany HS junior earns pilot’s license
While most high school juniors are still getting used to having a driver’s license, Cache Clark has gone one step further.
Clark, a junior at Albany High School, qualified for his pilot’s license on Thursday, Nov. 21 after more than a year of training. But he’s logged much more time in the air.
“I’ve been flying with my grandfather (Tom Clark) and my dad (Cary Clark) since I was 12 or 13,” he said. “My grandfather is an instructor and my dad has his regular license.”
That was more than enough motivation for Clark to pursue his own license.
MMPC to host Christmas feast
Local residents can have a traditional holiday meal on Christmas Day without going to the trouble of preparing and cleaning up.
Or paying for it.
Matthews Memorial Presbyterian Church is offering its 16th annual Christmas Feast from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 25. Meals are free to all comers.
For the second year in a row, meals will be available for carry-out or delivery only.
“Folks can call the church office (at 325-762-2038) and place orders with Sandy Ingalls if they want delivery,” co-organizer James Breeden said.
Zack Waggoner named ‘Firefighter of the Year’
Volunteer Zack Waggoner was named ‘Firefighter of the Year’ during the Albany Volunteer Fire Department’s annual awards presentation and Christmas party.
Fire Chief Joel Viertel explained that to be named ‘Firefighter of the Year,’ a firefighter typically needs to demonstrate a consistent record of dedicated service within their department and community, including acts of heroism, outstanding leadership, dedication to training, significant community involvement, and a positive reputation within the fire service, often going above and beyond expected duties.
