During their meeting on Monday, Dec. 10, Albany city council members voted unanimously to accept the low bid from Z.T. Jackson Construction of Breckenridge to install the water system in the newly annexed Clarke Estates development.

The four bids that were submitted were reviewed by the city’s engineering consultant, Enprotec/Hibbs & Todd, with Jackson recommended as the “lowest responsible, responsive bidder” at $118,135. The other bids ranged as high as $215,125.

This close to the Christmas holidays, with Albany in the midst of a strong run in the 2-A state football playoffs, multiple early dismissals due to holidays and football games, and this week’s playoff game located over three hours away on a Thursday evening, Nancy Smith Elementary School principal Jonathan Scott, has had some calls from parents wondering if AISD will really hold classes this Friday, Dec. 14.

“Yes, classes will be at the normal times on Friday,” said Scott, who is also the incoming Albany Independent School District superintendent.

The junior high and elementary University Interscholastic League district meet originally planned for Thursday, Dec. 13 in Hawley was rescheduled to eliminate a conflict with the state semifinal football game between Albany and Gruver in Plainview that same day.

Several Nancy Smith Elementary School sixth graders and Albany Junior High students placed in the middle school division of the University Interscholastic League speaking events meet held last Thursday, Dec. 6 in Hawley. 

Other schools in District 8-2A are Haskell, Hawley, Roscoe, Cross Plains, and Stamford.

The speaking events portion of the UIL district event will be included with this week’s academic meet to determine overall school points. 

Results for those who placed first through sixth in the middle school speaking events are listed below:

Albany Independent School District will break for the Christmas holidays at noon next Friday, Dec. 21, and early releases on both Wednesday and Thursday, Dec. 19 and 20 should help everyone survive the five-day-long week and make it to the anticipated vacation.

Next week, holiday celebrations are planned at the elementary school while end of semester tests will be given at the secondary campus.

“Semester exams are currently scheduled for Dec. 19, 20, and 21,” said AJSH principal Edward Morales. “High school students will be allowed to eat in the gym foyer during finals.”

Closet Angels will be closed over the Christmas holidays so that volunteers can take a break and spend time with their families, according to director Lori Reames.

“If the school is closed, we close as well, so that volunteers can spend time with their kids and grandkids,” said Reames. 

The local clothing ministry will be open on Monday, Dec. 17, and Wednesday, Dec. 19, before closing for the holidays. They will be closed until Jan. 7.

Updates are posted on the nonprofit’s Facebook page.

The popular annual Mr. Christmas Tree pageant will take place at The Feed Store next Monday evening, Dec. 17, at 7:00 p.m.

“The four contestants will have a chance to put up signs and do a little decorating on Sunday after we deliver the Christmas Baskets,” said Feed Store director Tisha Wilkins.

No one is allowed to compete more than once, so a selection committee helps to determine the candidates. 

Nominated for the honor this year are senior Derek Isbell, junior Gregori Mikeska, sophomore William Webb, and freshman Monte Cauble.

Make-your-own spice sets, fragrant candles, and customized Christmas decorations are among the various choices available for patrons to create at the Old Jail Art Center’s Make & Take holiday gift workshop this year.

The come and go workshops are open daily from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. through Saturday, Dec. 15.

“Make a variety of affordable, creative, and modern handmade gifts you would actually want to receive,” said education director Erin Whitmore. “Everyone is invited to attend. Pay only for the projects you make.”

Because of the busy holiday schedule, the Shackelford County Resource Center does not host a senior luncheon in December. 

The next senior luncheon will be held on Friday, Jan. 18 at the Youth Center beginning at 11:00 a.m.

“The theme for January will be ‘Game Night’,” said RC program assistant Ragan Riley. “Everyone is encouraged to wear their game gear. We will be playing different games from the 50s and 60s.”

The event is held eight times a year, the third Friday of every month from September through May, with the exception of December.

Because Christmas falls on Tuesday this year, Republic Services, trash pickup contractor for the City of Albany, will run on a slightly different schedule for the week of Christmas.

Residential trash containers and business and industrial containers normally picked up on Tuesday, Dec. 25 will change to Wednesday, Dec. 26. Trash service will continue to be one day later than normal through the holiday week for residential and business containers, Dec. 26 - 29. Scheduled large containers will receive service on the normal day from Dec. 26 through the end of the week.