By Donnie A. Lucas

Albany students and staff started the Christmas break on Wednesday, gaining a few extra days this year due to some changes in the schedule.

The break started with an early-release on Wednesday, Dec. 22 and will continue until Monday, Jan. 9 for staff members. Students will return for the first day of class on Tuesday, Jan. 10 to start the second semester and the fourth six weeks.

Teachers are going back a day earlier for staff development and to plan for the new semester.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Albany junior Ashley Sanchez earned a seat in the All-Region band for the second time during tryouts held at Mid­land Greenwood High School on Dec. 10.

Sanchez placed 23rd out of 68 clarinet entries, earning 14th chair in the Symphonic All-Region Band, the second of three bands.

Junior Chey’Anne Weaver also auditioned, missing a chair by just a few spots, according to band director William Vaughan.

Sanchez will travel to Big Spring Jan. 13 and 14 for a rehearsal and concert.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Republic Services, trash pickup contractor for the City of Albany, will run its regular schedule for the week of Christmas.

Residential trash containers and business and industrial containers normally picked up on Thursday, Dec. 22 will run as scheduled.

Trash pickup also will remain as scheduled the following week, with residential, business and industrial containers picked up  on the regularly scheduled dates.

By Sam Waller

Christmas Day falling on a Sunday for the first time since 2016 offers local churches a unique opportunity to celebrate the birth of Christ on a regular day of worship.

Several Albany congregations will conduct special services as part of their Christmas celebrations this weekend.

The next time Christmas Day falls on a Sunday will be 2033.

Bethel Assembly

Bethel Assembly will conduct regular Sunday services.

Coffee will be served at 10:00 a.m. with church services starting at 10:30 a.m.

First Baptist

By Donnie A. Lucas

About 100 county families and individuals received food deliveries on Sunday and Monday just in time for the holiday season as part of the annual Christmas Basket program sponsored by the Albany Ministerial Alliance.

Surprisingly, the number of total food basket requests was down this year with 99, compared to 119 last year.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Because Christmas and New Year’s Day both fall on Sunday this year, government offices will close before and after the weekend for holiday observances.

Shackelford County offices will be closed Friday, Dec. 23 and Monday, Dec. 26 for Christmas. The Courthouse will also close Monday, Jan. 2, for the New Year’s holiday.

The Shackelford County Appraisal District and County Library will be closed those same days, as will the City of Albany office.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Chest enters the final week of 2022 still more than $18,000 short of its goal of $47,000.

As of Tuesday, Dec. 20, the fund stood at $28,608, an increase of only $1,185 from last week.

“Large contributions are great, but we also rely on a broad base of smaller donors,” said Chest board vice president Melinda Lucas. “It’s important that Albany citizens realize how far-reaching the Chest is and how many people, from infants to senior adults, are helped by these funds.”

By Melinda L. Lucas

The first 2023 distribution of government commodities is set for Thursday, Jan. 5 at the Moran City Hall, followed by another session on Friday, Jan. 6 for Albany residents behind the justice of the peace office at the Courthouse.

Families that are certified as eligible can pick up the January allotment between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. at both locations.

[This article was written by Albany High School Class of 1974 graduate Mike Parsons for the Albany News Homecoming section in 2019, and it is being reprinted this week in honor of Coach Denney Faith’s fifth trip to the state football championships and his title-winning season with the 2022 team. Although there are a few updates noted within the article, readers should keep in mind that it was written three years ago.]

By Mike Parsons

By Sam Waller

Students at Moran ISD are on holiday break following the end of classes on Wednesday, Dec. 21.

The school district will conduct a staff development day on Monday, Jan. 9, before starting the spring semester on Tuesday, Jan. 10. Classes will be held that Friday, Jan. 13, the last scheduled Friday classes for the school year.