By Sam Waller
The downtown area and a large section of Albany was left without power for several hours early on Oct. 27 because of a thunderstorm that downed a tree.
“All of downtown from the courthouse and the southwest part of town was out from about midnight until about 5:00 a.m.,” Albany police chief Mike House said.
Some blocks were off several more hours.
House said most of the damage was caused by a tree being blown over and falling on power lines.
By Melinda L. Lucas
Less than 200 local voters turned out for this week’s Constitutional Amendment Election, about 8.6 percent of those registered in Shackelford County. About 80 of those voted early or by mail, with the Shackelford County Courthouse the only polling site in the county.
Local voters followed state trend, passing all eight propositions, some by wider margins than others.
By Sam Waller
The Albany NFL Flag Football League began the second half of its season Saturday, Oct. 23 with all three division races still undecided.
Games are played at the high school baseball field.
The league has two more weeks of play remaining before conducting its Super Bowl week Nov. 8-11.
Kindergarten-
First Grade
The Seahawks beat the Titans and the Packers beat the Rams in the youngest category of kindergarten and first graders.
By Sam Waller
Quail hunting season opens Saturday across the state with seasons for white-tailed deer and Turkey to start Nov. 6.
Game Warden Jacob Mort said the outlook for quail is average to slightly below average in Shackelford County.
“There are some birds around,” Mort said. “It’s usually been between six and eight birds in a covey.”
Statewide, the quail forecast is looking up after three years below average, according to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department website, but prospects remain low in the Rolling Plains region.
The Albany News’ 16th annual holiday recipe section will be published in one month, with favorite recipes being solicited from all ages of current and former Albany and Moran chefs and bakers.
“We’ve had really good response since we started publishing the recipe guides, and we’re looking forward to getting this one underway,” said News editor Melinda Lucas. “I’ve already heard from a couple of people.”
All kinds of recipes from appetizers and beverages to desserts are being requested.
By Sam Waller
Big Sexy Smokers claimed titles in three categories, and Lesley Jones won two Saturday at the Albany Chamber of Commerce’s inaugural Home of the Hereford Cookoff and Cornhole Tournament at Webb Park.
The event was organized as a fundraiser for new holiday decorations put up throughout Albany. Chamber manager Mary Beth Jones said sponsorships for the cookoff covered those costs.
“It turned out well,” Jones said. “It was a really nice family event.”
By Donnie A. Lucas
Running Man, which has become an Albany tradition, is set for Saturday night, Oct. 30 starting and ending at The Feed Store.
Billed as the ultimate hide-n-seek game for youth, the event will blanket the streets and alleys of Albany as participants are dropped off in teams to make their way back to the “home base” at The Feed Store without being detected by spotlighters.
By Sam Waller
Neighbors in Need will soon be known as the Local Exchange as the ministry looks to streamline operations.
“For now, the name change is just for Neighbors in Need,” Lori Reames, director of Closet Angels, said. “However, the new phone number we have is also for Closet Angels.”
The new number for both ministries is 325-762-0335.
By Donnie A. Lucas
Local senior citizens might get the “warm and fuzzies” more easily this winter thanks to a blanket drive organized by a local resident and being facilitated by First Baptist Church.
FBC member Stephen Gleitz formulated the plan to “Cover Our Seniors,” collecting new blankets to be handed out throughout the community in time for the onset of winter.
Gleitz, who is a Director of Critical Care Services at Hendrick Medical Center, organized the drive as a community service project needed to complete his Masters in Nursing Administration this fall.
By Donnie A. Lucas
Mixed in with traditional trick or treat youngsters on Sunday evening will be the Albany Jr./Sr. High Student Council members seeking donations to the Albany Chest with their annual Trick-or-Treat For Change Project.
The council will be divided into groups and canvass the town dressed in their Halloween best hoping for donations to assist the Albany Chest raise its goal of $46,000 this year.
In the past, the council has typically has raise from $800 to $1,000 with the event.
The event was cancelled last year due to the COVID pandemic.
