Early deadline set for Dec. 21

By Melinda L. Lucas

News readers and advertisers are reminded that there is an early deadline for next week’s edition, with all copy due by noon on Monday, Dec. 21.

The Dec. 24 issue will be published and on stands, as well as in local post office boxes, by Wednesday morning, a day earlier than usual.

The News office will be closed on Thursday, Dec. 24 and Friday, Dec. 25.

There will not be a paper published during the last week of the year, on Dec. 31.

The office will be closed on New Year’s Eve, Dec. 31, and as usual on Friday.

Albany News

City to apply for block grant

By Melinda L. Lucas

Lynsi Musselman was appointed to the Albany city council at their regular December meeting on Monday, Dec. 14.

Musselman will fill the remaining months of Carolyn Waller’s term, serving under the appointment until May 2021.

Waller, whose resignation was accepted in November, died last week after a brief illness. She had been a city council member for nine years.

Albany mayor Susan Montgomery expressed condolences to Waller’s family, as well as for the family of city employee David Thompson, who also died last week.

Albany News

City faced with first COVID death

By Melinda L. Lucas

Although the official report from the Texas Department of State Health Services does not yet reflect it, Albany experienced its first COVID-related death last week, a man in his 60s, reportedly with no underlying health conditions.

“Any death of a citizen is tragic, but this forces us to see firsthand the severe threat of this virus,” said Albany mayor Susan Montgomery. “We are so saddened by this death of an Albany resident. Once again, please be a good citizen and neighbor and do everything to protect to yourself and others.”  

Albany News

500 wreaths to be placed

By Sandy Morris

Each December on National Wreaths Across America Day, wreath-laying ceremonies are coordinated across the United States, at sea and abroad, to coincide with the main ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery, and arrangements have been made for a local ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 19 at 11:00 a.m.

The brief ceremony will be held at the pavilion at the Albany Cemetery before the wreaths are placed on the graves. 

Traffic stop ends in trafficking arrest

By Sandy Morris

What began as a call for erratic driving turned into the detention of 20 undocumented immigrants on Sunday afternoon, Dec. 13.

According to Albany Chief of Police Mike House, the local dispatch received a call of a possible intoxicated driver. 

APD officer Mark Purpura was in the area and according to House, observed the reported truck almost strike another vehicle from behind. 

Purpura initiated a traffic stop for following too close to another vehicle and pulled the truck over in the Prairie Star parking lot. 

Photo packages available

Photo packages of local flag football teams and individuals have been printed and are now available for those who haven’t already claimed them.

Parents who paid in advance or who have valid accounts can pick up their packages at The Albany News office.

Others can be ordered when they are paid.

In addition, photos of all junior high and high school basketball teams are being finished up this week, and most will be ready by the first part of next week. The high school boys’ packets will be available before the Christmas break.

Chest collections edge up to $15,835

By Sandy Morris

There are three weeks  left in the annual Albany Chest campaign and contributions are badly  needed in order to meet the 2020 fundraising goal of $41,000. 

The goal was set by the directors at the start of the campaign after they reviewed the submitted funding requests from 25 organizations. 

The total donated as of Tuesday, Dec. 8 was $15,835. 

Albany News

Plans made for upcoming stock show Jan. 21-23

By Sandy Morris

Both the local 4-H and FFA clubs are staying busy as they approach the end of the year. 

 Shackelford County Livestock Association

Members of the Shackelford County Youth and Livestock Association held a planning meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 9.

Plans were discussed for the upcoming local stock show scheduled for Jan. 21-23.

The annual clean-up day has been scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 16, starting at 8:00 a.m.

Albany News

Photo packages available

Photo packages of local flag football teams and individuals have been printed and are now available for those who haven’t already claimed them.

Parents who paid in advance or who have valid accounts can pick up their packages at The Albany News office.

Others can be ordered when they are paid.

In addition, photos of all junior high and high school basketball teams are being finished up this week, and most will be ready by the first part of next week. The high school boys’ packets will be available before the Christmas break.

Albany News

More Albany Bucks to be given

By Sandy Morris

Local shoppers didn’t let the weather or COVID prevent them from shopping local during the recent “Albany Bucks” promotion sponsored by the Albany Chamber of Commerce, and since that time, funding has become available for even more Bucks. 

The next drawing for Albany Bucks will be today, Dec. 10 at 11:00 a.m. and will be announced live on the Albany Chamber Facebook page. 

Previous Albany Bucks winners are not eligible to win, and only one certificate per person will be allowed.