The Aztec Theater will launch a new concert series this Friday as Goodnight Steakhouse and Saloon presents The Aztec Sessions.

The series is intended to bring a regular schedule of live music to downtown Albany, using the historic Aztec Theater as its home. Goodnight Steakhouse has long supported live music through its dancehall shows and weekly Pickin’ Party, and organizers say the strong response to those events led to plans for larger concerts at the theater. A cash bar will be available inside the venue with the purchase of an event cup.

More than 100 volunteers of all ages came together Saturday, Dec. 13, at the Albany Cemetery to honor local veterans during the sixth annual National Wreaths Across America Day, placing wreaths on 610 graves and identifying four additional veteran graves during the event.

One of those graves is now the oldest veteran, pre-dating the two Civil War veterans that were previously identified. Greenham Crowder, who died around the time of the Civil War, fought in the Texas Militia and served as a Texas Ranger.

For three decades, fans entering Robert Nail Memorial Stadium have been greeted by a familiar voice. This fall marked the final season for longtime public announcer John Tate, who retired after 30 years behind the microphone at Albany Lions home games.

Hundreds of people lined Main Street on Nov. 29 as the Albany Chamber of Commerce hosted this year’s Lighted Christmas Parade. The Grinch served as grand marshal and led a long line of floats, classic cars, ATVs, and community groups through town. Santa made his appearance near the end of the parade, waving to children gathered along the route.

A new music series is coming to Albany this winter as the Aztec Theater prepares to host The Aztec Sessions, a lineup of concerts sponsored and organized by Goodnight Steakhouse and Saloon. The downtown venue has seen steady activity during the past several years, and the new series is intended to give Albany a consistent schedule of live music during the winter months.

A Moran ISD bus overturned Thursday morning while en route to pick up students in Breckenridge. The incident occurred around 6:00 a.m. at the intersection of FM 576 and CR 292 in Stephens County.

According to Superintendent Dr. John Denson, the bus was heading to Breckenridge when driver Brad Stautzenberger encountered a deer in the roadway while negotiating a sharp curve on wet roads.

“The driver was restrained, and the bus had just received new brakes and tires before school started in August,” Denson said. “He was not injured, and no students were on board.”

The Albany Masonic Lodge held a special ceremony on Saturday, November 15, to honor longtime member Sammy Joe Rippey for 50 years of service in Freemasonry. Family and local lodge members gathered at the Albany Lodge to celebrate the milestone. Rippey’s wife, Barbara, was also in attendance.

Albany Junior High theater students delivered a strong showing at the 2025 UIL district one-act play contest on Nov. 13 with their performance of The Book of Dog by Jiggs Burgess.

The production earned Best Performer for Parker Rose, Honorable Mention All-Star Cast for Patton Smith, and the Tech Award for sound technician Iathan Torres.

Director Nickie Leveridge, in her first year leading the junior high program alongside Kay Leigh Oliver, praised the students for their commitment and rapid growth.

Albany athlete Hunter Waddell brought home a gold medal after competing in the 2025 Special Olympics Area 14 Bowling Competition in San Angelo.

The event, held November 14-15 at Stadium Lanes in San Angelo, featured teams from across the Area 14 region, including delegations from Abilene, Brownwood and San Angelo. Athletes spent two days competing in multiple divisions.

Waddell competed as part of a four-member team called The Goats. In the championship match, he rolled a solid score of 208 to help secure the gold medal for his team.

In Albany, mention of the “Bazaar” means the holidays are near — and this year’s event carries extra significance. Matthews Memorial Presbyterian Church will celebrate the 125th anniversary of its first Bazaar this Saturday, Nov. 15, continuing one of the town’s oldest and most beloved community traditions. What began as a small gathering of church women raising funds for local mission work in 1900 has grown into an annual event that continues to bring together friends, families, and neighbors from across the area.