By Melinda L. Lucas

Most people in this part of Texas associate the first sightings of robins with the coming of spring, but in the past week, there have been multiple comments on social media about the hundreds of American robins seen in and around Albany, even as temperatures dipped into the single digits.

Dozens and dozens of the orange-breasted birds have been observed in yards around the community, strutting around on top of several inches of snow and feasting on berries in neighborhood shrubs and trees.

By Sandy Morris

Project Graduation organizers have announced their next fundraiser for the annual celebration held for Albany’s graduating seniors.

Senior parent and organizer Tisha Wilkins reported this week that the next fundraiser will be a ‘To-Go’ lunch starting at 11:30 a.m. on Sunday, Feb. 28 at The Feed Store. 

The menu will include chicken spaghetti, salad, garlic bread, drink, and homemade dessert. Donations will be accepted as payment.

By Sandy Morris

Students at Nancy Smith Elementary School have been challenged to read about America during the month of February.

Organized by NSES library aide Megan Henry, fifth and sixth grade students have been encouraged to read a book from the ‘Dear America’ collection in exchange for a Dairy Queen coupon for a frozen treat.

The premise of the challenge is based on a quote by Harry S. Truman which states,  “America was not built on fear. America was built on courage, on imagination and an unbeatable determination to do the job at hand.”

By Sandy Morris

The recent winter blast pushed back several events scheduled for last week, including the worship night at The Feed Store. 

Feed Store Executive Director Tisha Wilkins said the worship night, featuring speaker Riley Israel, has been rescheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 24. 

Israel, a native of Americus, Georgia, was seen at church every time there was a service thanks to his upbringing by his parents and grandparents.  

By Sandy Morris

Closet Angels hosted a fundraiser to benefit Albany resident Kristi Brooker on Monday, Feb. 8, raising a total of $252.

Brooker is currently undergoing treatment for stage four breast cancer, and the fundraiser was held to help Brooker keep her health insurance.

Closet Angels director and fundraiser organizer Lori Reames thanked everyone who participated in the event.

By Sandy Morris

Albany UIL students are hoping to get in one more practice meet before the upcoming district UIL meet scheduled in Stamford on Wednesday, March 24.

Holliday High School is hosting a virtual academic meet and has sent out materials to all participating schools including Albany High School participants. 

Originally, the materials were to be received on Friday, Feb. 12 with writing entries due Tuesday, Feb. 16 and the other entries due on Thursday, Feb. 18.

By Sandy Morris

The cast and crew of Albany High School’s One Act Play attended a festival held at Clyde High School on Wednesday, Feb. 10.

OAP director Jenny Scott has announced a public performance of the show at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, March 1 at the Albany High School auditorium. 

Scott said earlier this week that local students did a great job performing at the Feb. 10 festival, while also getting valuable feedback from the judges.

By Sandy Morris

With many roadways still covered by a combination of snow and ice, Albany ISD officials decided late Wednesday morning to cancel all classes for the rest of the week. Students and staff had already been out of school the first three days of the week.

When school dismissed last Friday, AISD administrators knew the weather could possibly be an issue for when classes were originally set to resume on Tuesday, Feb. 16 after the President’s Day holiday on Monday.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Local residents who buy a vehicle or a trailer can help the Shackelford County budget by requesting that the title transfer be done at the Shackelford County Courthouse, thereby sending a portion of the taxes paid on the vehicle or trailer to county coffers.

Car dealers are supposed to ask buyers where they want the transfer to take place, but a lot do not, according to Belinda Perez, Shackelford County Tax Assessor - Collector Chief Deputy.

By Sandy Morris

Despite the weather, the OJAC is offering a free art activity kit again his week, with children ages four to 12 invited to make a dream ladder toy.

Kits are available from the special activity trunk outside of the museum gate through Sunday, Feb. 21. 

Each week, the OJAC has kits for new types of crafts in the trunk. 

The activities combine visual art with STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) with motor-skill development, and social studies or language arts themes.