By Donnie A. Lucas

Albany merchants and others will set up in the downtown block to hand out candy on Saturday, Oct. 30, continuing a tradition of hosting a community trick-or-treat event.

The fun will start at 2:30 p.m. and continue until 4:30 p.m., allowing participants to then go to the annual Fall Fest, which begins at 5:00 p.m.

Organizations or individuals are welcome to join retail merchants in handing out candy.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Albany ISD trustees spent most of Monday night’s regular meeting going over the district’s various required improvement plans, as well as approving the final version of the 2020-2021 financial audit.

CPA Cameron Gulley presented the audit at the September meeting, but no motion was made at that time to approve it, because figures were not yet available from the Community Foundation of Abilene regarding Albany ISD’s investments.

By Sam Waller

Nine members of the Shackelford County 4-H Club qualified for district competition Saturday with their efforts at the county food show held at Friendship Baptist Church.

The 4-Hers competed in appetizer, main dish, side dish and healthy dessert categories. The District 7 food show is scheduled for Nov. 13 in Abilene.

By Sam Waller

Nearly 30 Albany FFA students participated in the Greenhand Camp on Oct. 13 at the Taylor County Expo Center in Abilene with local chapter president Leddie Leech helping lead part of the program.

Leech assisted with a presentation entitled “What Can FFA Do For You.”

“It was about what FFA can do through leadership qualities and friendship, and how being part of the organization can help you grow as a person,” Leech said. “I was helping the state president (Ember Reyes) who came up with the presentation.”

By Donnie A. Lucas

The Albany Ragin’ Red Band earned a Division I rating from judges at the Region 6 UIL Marching Contest held Monday at Wylie High School.

The band was one of two 2A groups in the East Zone to advance to the Area Marching Contest set for Saturday, Oct. 30 in Amarillo.

The band was awarded Division I ratings by two of the three judges, and a Division II by the third.

“The kids are ecstatic,” band director William Vaughan said. “That was our goal for this year, and they worked really hard to get to this point.”

By Donnie A. Lucas

The Exploring Careers Class of eighth graders at Albany Jr./Sr. High recently completed the Texas Friendly Hospitality Program, earning certificates of achievement from Texas A&M and the AgriLife Extension Service.

The class is part of the curriculum taught by Jennifer Marshall, who took the position in August, has half of the eighth grades enrollment currently. The semester course will end in December, with the other half of the class taking the class in the spring.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Members of the Albany Volunteer Fire Department will be presenting fire safety information to local school children this Friday, Oct. 22 as part of it annual fire safety and prevention initiative.

Several AVFD volunteers  plan to be at Nancy Smith Elementary School at 9:00 a.m. Friday morning for a general assembly, then allow students by grade level to “tour” two or three of the department’s vehicles.

Last week was National Fire Safety Week, with a theme of “Learn the Sounds of Fire Safety!”

By Sam Waller

Twenty-four students from Albany Junior/Senior High School, four from each grade level, have been selected to serve as student council and senior ambassadors for the Feed Store.

By Sam Waller

Neighbors in Need will conduct a garage sale starting at 8:00 a.m. Saturday.

Lori Reames said the sale is to raise funds to purchase needed items.

“The proceeds will mainly go toward heaters at this time of the year for people who need them,” Reames said. “Everything’s going to be a quarter unless we have it marked at a different price.”

Reames announced a new contact number for Neighbors in Need and Closet Angels. To contact either ministry, call 325-762-0335.

By Sam Waller

First United Methodist Church will “step out of camp” Sunday as it holds Family Day at the Stasney Ranch cookshack.

Starting at 10:00 a.m., the day will be one of singing, testimonies, preaching, and fellowship, Rev. Tim Trimble said.

“The whole church family is invited to be out there,” Trimble said. “It’s just a day for us to sort of get out of the camp, which means to get out of the routine and do something different.”

Trimble said the idea comes from the Book of Exodus and fits in with the church’s 40 Days of Prayer event.