By Donnie A. Lucas

A group of registered nurses from Lubbock will present a pair of programs next Thursday, Jan. 13 both for secondary school students and the public on the dangers of using illegal and synthetic drugs, including the use of vaping products.

Students in grades 7-12 will participate in the program, which is conducted by the University Medical Center’s Nurses Educating on Illegal Drugs and Synthetics (NEIDS),  at 11:00 a.m. in the high school auditorium.

By Sam Waller

Approximately two dozen junior high and high school students, along with adult leaders, had to deal with a last-minute change of plans but were able to enjoy their ski trip over the Christmas holiday.

Matthews Memorial Presbyterian Church pastor Anthony Ceder said the annual trip wound up at a different resort in a different state.

By Sam Waller

Volunteers from Matthews Memorial Presbyterian Church and the rest of the community served approximately 120 meals as part of the annual MMPC Christmas Feast.

Event organizer Tamara Trail said recipients of the meals were fairly evenly split between those who came to the church on Christmas Day and those who had food delivered, covering a broad spectrum of the community.

By Sam Waller

Voter registration cards for Shackelford County were mailed out on Tuesday, Jan. 4, in time for the March 1 primary elections.

“We have to have them postmarked by Jan. 12, so we got them out in plenty of time for that deadline,” said Belinda Perez in the county voter registration office.

Anyone wishing to register to vote in one of the primaries has until Jan. 31 to do so. State law requires voters to be registered 30 days before voting in an election.

By Melinda L. Lucas

The City of Albany will test the emergency warning siren at 12:00 noon on Wednesday, Jan. 12, as it does the second Wednesday of every month, depending on the weather.

The tests keep citizens familiar with the three warning sounds, and they are also used to make sure that the siren, computer, software, and radios are working correctly.

The siren should sound one of the three emergency tones at noon on that day, but the siren is not tested if the weather is questionable, according to local fire chief Travis Gardenhire. 

By Melinda L. Lucas

The first Chamber luncheon of 2022 is scheduled for Friday, Jan. 7 at the Beehive.

Chamber luncheons are held each Friday from 12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m. and are open to anyone who would like to get involved and help with the various Chamber projects throughout the year.

For more information on any current or future Chamber events, contact Jones at the Chamber office at 325-762-2525. 

By Sam Waller

Registration for Little Dribblers basketball got underway this week for the upcoming season.

“Registration forms went out (Tuesday) morning, and I hope to get those back by Friday,” league organizer Joe Tidwell said. “Hopefully, we can get players drafted the week after that, and everybody will have a couple of weeks to practice before the season starts in February.”

Tidwell said games start Feb. 5 and will continue each Saturday through the end of the month.

Hunters still have a chance to bag a trophy during special seasons on the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department calender.

Youth-Only (16 and younger) and Special Late white-tailed deer seasons run through Jan. 16. A Youth-Only fall turkey season also is open through Jan. 16.

Regular duck season concludes Jan. 30.

Quail season continues through Feb. 27.

The youth-only license costs $7 and may be purchased online or at several Albany retailers.

By Sam Waller

Harmony Slaughter and Arren Hawley were crowned queen of the Winter Formal as Moran High School students celebrated the end of the fall semester.

The event, which was sponsored by Moran’s senior class, was held Dec. 18 at the Moran Community Center.

Moran principal Jo Hise said the formal  event was open to all high school students and drew about 35 attendees, including a number of out-of-town guests.

“We had a good number show up, and they had a good time,” she said.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Some of the props and facilities of the Fort Griffin Fandangle are showing their age, prompting the board of directors to initiate a capital improvements drive to make needed updates.

Originated in 1938 by Albany playwright Robert Nail, the annual show held in June has been performed at its own Prairie Theater since 1964.

While minor improvements have been made to the theater over the years, the directors feel it is time to make more substantial and lasting repairs to safely see the show through its first century of performances.