By Donnie A. Lucas

There is still a little time remaining to help a teacher or staff member at Albany Jr./Sr. High strut their stuff next Tuesday with votes by donation in the Turkey Teacher contest.

Donations which turn into votes will be accepted until the end of the school day this Friday, Nov. 18.

Proceeds from the second annual ­FCCLA project will go to provide Christmas gifts for youth identified by Resource Care who are in need of some help during the holiday season.

More than 20 AISD teachers and staff members are participating.

By Melinda L. Lucas

A “Christmas Bag” will be available Dec. 8-9 to Shackelford County families who normally get monthly commodity food, according to county justice of the peace James Breeden, who oversees the program.

Breeden said last week that Albany and Moran recipients were supposed to have gotten a bag of Thanksgiving foods on Nov. 3-4, but he was not able to distribute the products because they were not available.

By Sam Waller

Members of the Albany FFA chapter competed in the Big Country District Leadership Development Event on Monday, Nov. 14 at Cisco.

“The students did a great job representing Albany FFA,” chapter adviser Chris Beard said.

In the Senior Division, Leddie Leech, Robyn Trail, and Gracie Price competed in Radio, while Kenzie Neve, Kolton Koemel, Abi Hale, and Madelynn Daugherty competed in Quiz. Lainey Cash competed in Senior Creed Reading.

By Sam Waller

Having a Thursday game has moved up the schedule for both the Albany Lions and the Albany Athletic Booster Club.

The Lions will take on the Muenster Hornets at 7:00 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 17 (tonight) at Graham’s Newton Field in the area round of the Class 2A Division II playoffs.

Because of that, the community pep rally was held Wednesday, Nov. 16 at Bank Park.

Spirit Drum

Beating of the spirit drum began Wednesday following the pep rally.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Photo packages of flag football players that were ordered last month are now available for pickup at The Albany News, open Monday through Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Packages that weren’t paid or couldn’t be charged to an existing account can still be purchased and ordered.

The cost of the packages for elementary age sports leagues is $20 plus tax.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Chest is continuing to accept donations toward its fundraising goal of $47,000 for the 2022 campaign.

As of Tuesday, Nov. 15, the drive had raised $15,648, up more than $1,900 from the previous week.

The Albany Chest helps meet the needs of two dozen local organizations. Applicants for funds range from local service agencies to programs aimed at youth.

Here is a look at some of the 24 applicants.

Albany Softball

By Donnie A. Lucas

Four new COVID-19 cases were reported last week, as the number of local cases rose slightly but continues to remain low based on information provided by Albany’s two health clinics.

The weekly report by county judge Bob Skelton issued Tuesday reported four positive test results out of nine tests administered at the two local clinics for the period of Nov. 7 through Nov. 11.

There was one positive case out of nine tests for the week of Oct. 31 through Nov. 4.

The News will be printing Santa letters and holiday essays in the Christmas issue to be published on Thursday, Dec. 22.

Students at Albany and Moran schools will be writing letters at school, which will be submitted to the News office by their teachers.

Children at several other local facilities, such as First Love Day Care,  will also be assisted by their instructors in writing letters to Santa.

However, parents of any other preschool or home schooled students who would like to submit letters may bring them to the newspaper office by Friday, Dec. 2.

By Sam Waller

Moran ISD will be on Thanksgiving break all next week.

The break begins with the end of classes on Thursday, Nov. 17. Classes will resume Monday, Nov. 28.

Moran held its annual Thanksgiving meal Wednesday, Nov. 16, with parents invited to have lunch with their students.

District Contest

Moran FFA students competed at the Big Country District Leadership Development Event on Monday, Nov. 14 at Cisco.

“It was a great contest,” Moran FFA adviser Minnie Denson said. “I’m extremely proud of these kids.”

Members of the Moran meat judging team stay focused during their first contest of the year. They finished fourth in the team standings, with an individual in the top 10.