Vacation Bible School in Albany concludes today with a family night program following a full week of Bible lessons, music, and community fellowship. The event, held at First Baptist Church, has brought in nearly 200 participants, including around 150 children and 50 volunteers from churches across the area.

Organizers said the turnout this year has remained strong, matching last year’s numbers.

Each day focused on a different Bible lesson tied to the overall theme, “Magnigied! Discovering the bigness of God in the Smallest of Things.” 

In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, LORD, make me dwell in safety. -Psalm 4:8 (NIV)

Sometime back, I walked into the living room and my son, Simon, was watching the 1960 movie “The Time Machine,” based on the H.G. Wells book by the same name.  I told him that when I was a child that movie gave me nightmares.

Albany’s annual cheer camp brought excitement and energy to the high school gym this week, as 62 young girls from ages 3 through sixth grade participated in three days of cheer, chants, and themed dress-up fun.

Held Monday through Wednesday, the camp introduced girls to the fundamentals of cheerleading while giving them the opportunity to work alongside Albany junior high and high school cheerleaders. This year’s camp was coordinated by cheer sponsor Lauren Peacock, who previously served in the role from 2014 to 2017, along with co-coordinator Ashlyn Bevel.

Shackelford County Commissioners gave unanimous approval Monday to a proposal that could bring one of the most significant economic development projects in county history to life: a large-scale data center campus developed by Vantage Data Centers.

Following a public hearing held during a special meeting of Commissioners Court, the county approved three key items: the creation of the Shackelford County Reinvestment Zone 2025-1, the acceptance of Vantage’s application for tax abatement, and the county’s intent to enter into a formal agreement with the company once land is purchased.