By Sandy Morris With the help of local volunteers, members of the Albany Ministerial Alliance distributed almost all of the requested Christmas baskets on Sunday, Dec. 13.

By Sandy Morris Local citizens still have time to “adopt” a local teacher from a Christmas tree sponsored by the AJHS Academic Booster Club as the deadline has been extended.

By Sandy Morris Several students and teams from Nancy Smith Elementary School and Albany Junior High placed at the district A+ Academics University Interscholastic League meets held during November and December.  Due to COVID concerns, the competetion looked a little different this year.

By Donnie A. Lucas Albany school board members got their first look on Monday at the required financial rating, along with briefly discussing extending leave for employees that test positive for COVID-19, and hearing an update on the elementary school’s dyslexia and reading comprehension program.

By Melinda L. Lucas Shackelford County elected officials and others honored outgoing district attorney Colton Johnson at a special retirement reception Monday afternoon following the regular meeting earlier that day.

By Melinda L. Lucas The Shackelford County Hospital District’s board of directors met with clinic providers Travis Wilburn and Claire Ware during a regular monthly meeting, which was moved to 4:00 p.m. Tuesday so that it would be easier for the nurse practitioners (NPs) to attend.

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.

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.

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.

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...