By Melinda L. Lucas

Usually mailed by the end of October, tax statements for Shackelford County property owners are just now showing up because of a data delay from Callahan County.

According to Shackelford County Appraisal District (SCAD) chief appraiser Clayton Snyder, the local staff waited for about six weeks for the portion of Moran ISD that is in Callahan County.

Once the correct information was received, the statement files were uploaded electronically to a mailing company for processing and distribution.

By Sandy Morris

Albany Chest board members knew that 2020 would provide some fundraising challenges, but with less than one month left in the annual Albany Chest campaign and many more contributions needed in order to meet the 2020 goal of $41,000, they are worried. 

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. 1 was $13,735, which is the same total as last week. 

By Sandy Morris

 Albany ISD Junior High and Nancy Smith Elementary students are scheduled to compete in various UIL academic events on Tuesday, Dec. 8. 

This year, all events will be conducted locally with no outside audiences allowed. 

Junior high UIL coordinator Melanie Anderson said contests will be run the same even though they are being held locally.

“All UIL rules and time limits remain the same,” said Anderson. 

By Sandy Morris

It wouldn’t be Christmas without the annual band concert to get everyone in the holiday spirit.

The sixth grade, seventh grade and high school bands will be performing on Thursday, Dec. 10 in the high school auditorium.

The sixth grade band will perform first at 6:30 p.m. and will be playing Jingle Bells and Jolly Old St. Nick. 

The seventh grade band will follow at 7:15 p.m. and will perform Jingle Bells, The Spirit of St. Nick, and African Noel. 

By Sandy Morris

Activities for 4-H and FFA members increase as the year-end approaches.

 4-H Shooting Sports

The Shackelford County 4 –H Club will be hosting a shooting sports meeting next Tuesday, Dec. 8 at 5:45 p.m. at First Christian Church. 

Shackelford County Extension Agent Kloey Painter said all of the shooting sports options will be discussed at the meeting.

“We will introduce coaches and go over important information for the shooting sports season,” said Painter.

4-H Christmas Party

By Sandy Morris

Members of the AJSH Academic Booster Club’s “Rise and Shine” committee are inviting the public to “adopt” a local teacher.

“The committee has created a teacher/staff Christmas wish list event,” said Rise and Shine Committee member Heather Brown. “This is a great opportunity to encourage the teachers/staff who love, care for, and educate our students each and every day.”

Due to COVID-19 regulations, the methods to get wish lists out to the public have been revised. 

By Sandy Morris

The 2020 Believe Tree for Teens applications have been received and have been disbursed among several local churches.

Ministerial Alliance secretary Tisha Wilkins said the total number of applications submitted was down this year. 

“We had a total of 43 teen applications,” said Wilkins. “Of those 43, 28 were from Albany and 15 were from Moran.”

Ornaments with the teens’ wish lists can be found at First Methodist Church, Friendship Baptist Church, First Baptist Church, First Christian Church, and the Church of Christ. 

By Sandy Morris

The First United Methodist Women are hosting a chili fundraiser this Sunday, Dec. 6 from 12:00 noon to 2:00 p.m.

The chili fundraiser will be take-out orders only with no indoor dining allowed due to COVID-19 concerns.

Offerings of both chili and beans will be frozen when picked up. 

A one-quart bag of chili is $10.50 and a one-quart bag of beans is $1.50. 

Tickets may be purchased from any UMW member.

By Sandy Morris

The deadline to apply for a Christmas basket from the Albany Ministerial Alliance has passed, and now the process of preparing the deliveries begins. 

Applications were due by Dec. 1, but county citizens can still apply. 

“We received a total of 110 applications,” said Ministeral Alliance secretary Tisha Wilkins. “ Of those 110 applications, 67 were from Albany and 43 were from Moran. 

While the deadine has passed, Wilkins said families can still apply, but they are not guaranteed to receive a delivery.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Despite ongoing coronavirus restrictions, blood is still needed, and a blood drive is scheduled to take place in Albany next Thursday afternoon, Dec. 10.

Hendrick Regional Blood Center (formerly Meek Blood Center) will park its bloodmobile at First Baptist Church at the usual time from 1:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m.

Hendrick Regional Blood Center is now offering COVID-19 antibody testing at no charge for donors who successfully donate.