By Sandy Morris

Albany High School’s annual Winter Formal, normally held in January, has been moved up to Saturday, Dec. 12 starting at 8:00 p.m. at the Whitney Theatre.

The Winter Formal is sponsored each year by members of the Albany High School student council.

Winter Formal Court

Three boy and three girl nominees will be selected for the Winter Formal Court for each class, with freshmen through juniors being nominated for Winter Formal Prince and Princess for their individual classes.

By Sandy Morris

Friendship Baptist Church members held their fifth annual Harvest Acres on Saturday, Nov. 21. 

“The frozen casseroles were the first thing to fly out the door” said pastor Paul Johnston. “We also quickly sold out of our soups, stew, and pulled pork.”

Johnston said there was a steady stream of people during the day who were purchasing the assorted baked goods, crafts, and homemade jams and jellies. 

More than $4,800 was raised for the account that provides funds for local mission projects and needs.

By Sandy Morris

The First United Methodist Women are hosting a chili fundraiser on 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

A routine traffic stop turned into a high speed, two-county chase on Wednesday, Nov. 18, according to the Shackelford County Sheriff’s Office.

At approximately 5:52 p.m., Shackelford County Deputy Mike Henry attempted to make a traffic stop with a vehicle for driving 98 miles per hour (MPH) in a 75 MPH zone. 

The stop was initiated on US Hwy. 180 East, two miles west of FM 2482. 

The 2017 Chevrolet truck with graphics failed to pull over, but continued to gain in speed.

By Sandy Morris

Matthews Memorial Presbyterian Church will host its fourth annual Cele-bration of Remembrance on Sunday, Dec. 6, at 4:00 p.m.

Because of the pandemic, the service will be held outside in the backyard area of MMPC, where Sunday services are currently being held. 

By Sandy Morris

The traditional playoff drum beating, preceded by a community pep rally at the Bank Park, will kick off the Athletic Booster Club’s special activities this week as the Albany Lions prepare for the regional semifinal match-up with Windthorst.

Albany will travel the short distance to Breckenridge for this week’s game, with kickoff set for 2:00 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 27. 

The -Lions will face the Windthorst Trojans, who defeated Archer City last week at the area level. 

By Sandy Morris

There is one month left in the annual Albany Chest campaign and many more contributions are 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. 

Local residents are reminded that everyone is asked to give what they can, even if they cannot contribute large amounts.

By Sandy Morris

Pick-up dates for the December distribution of the commodity food program are Dec. 3 and 4.

On Thursday, Dec. 3, certified eligible families in Moran should pick up their monthly commodity food at the Moran City Hall between 9:00 and 11:00 a.m.

Albany families who have been certified eligible for the December food distribution program can pick up their commodity food Friday, Dec. 4 at the rear door of the JP office (the former county jail) from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. 

Shackelford County residents are reminded to get pecan or pecan food show show entries in to Extension Agent Kloey Painter or the Taylor County Expo Center by 4:00 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 30.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Although numbers from the Texas Department of State Health Services continue to lag with no new Shackelford County cases officially reported as of Monday and only three active, there has been a perceived rise in the local COVID case count over the past couple of weeks.