By Melinda L. Lucas

Shackelford County commissioners, after a lengthy discussion at their Monday, Dec. 12 session, rejected a $12,000 bid for internet security at the county library and approved an ordinance to prohibit after-hours parking at the library.

The question of internet security at the library has been brought up at the last several meetings, but county judge Robert Skelton did not receive the estimated cost from the county’s IT consultant, CTSI, until last week.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Albany city council members heard presentations from two of three bidders for the city’s solid waste business and reviewed all three documents before deciding to stay with Republic Services.

Two representatives from County Waste Service (CWS) were present to go over their prices, along with Joe Spano from Republic Services.

There was also a bid from AEL Green Logistics of Abilene.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Because Christmas Day falls on Sunday, there does not have to be an early deadline this year for the Dec. 22 edition.

However, News readers and advertisers are reminded that there will be no paper published the following week on Dec. 29 during the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day.

The News office will be open on Monday through Thursday, Dec. 26-27 of that week, but there will not be a paper.

The office is always closed on Fridays, so it will be closed all day on both Dec. 23 and Dec. 30.

By Donnie A. Lucas

A number of students in grades two through eight competed in the District UIL Academic Meet last week, with students in sixth through traveling to Hamlin and the second through fifth graders competing in Cisco.

The elementary team racked up 270.84 points for fourth place ahead of Anson, Hamlin and Hawley. Cisco and Haskell tied for first place with 397.33 points each, while Stamford was third with 323.83 points. Anson finished in fifth place, Hamlin was sixth with 94 points and Hawley earned 93 points for seventh place.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Local residents still have a few days to select items from a Christmas wish list provided by  local teachers and school staff members.

The Academic Booster Club is once again inviting the community to “adopt” a member of the school staff by fulfilling one or more entries on the wish lists to help provide requested supplies or items for classrooms.

The link to the wish list for Albany teachers and staff is now available on the Facebook page for the AJHS Academic Booster Club.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Albany ISD has declared a holiday for Thursday, Dec. 15 (today) in conjunction with the UIL State Football Championship game played yesterday between the Albany Lions and Mart Panthers in Arlington.

Classes will resume tomorrow, following a typical Friday schedule with school ending at 3:00 p.m.

The school district will release for the Christmas holidays on Wednesday, Dec. 21 at 12:30 p.m.

By Sam Waller

Shackelford County residents can enjoy a Christmas dinner and fellowship at Matthews Memorial Presbyterian Church’s 14th annual Christmas Feast.

The meal will be held Sunday, Dec. 25, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the church’s fellowship hall.

There is no charge, and anyone is welcome to receive a meal.

Matthews Memorial will conduct a brief Christmas morning service at 10:30 a.m.

This year’s menu will include ham, turkey, green beans, mashed potatoes, rolls, gravy, and homemade desserts.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Ministerial Alliance will distribute proceeds of its Christmas Basket program at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 18.

Moran recipients can pick up their baskets at 3:00 p.m. that day at First Baptist Church of Moran.

Baskets for Vittles by Vehicles recipients  will be delivered Monday, Dec. 19 with their meals.

Alliance secretary Tisha Wilkins said that while the number of applicants is down somewhat this year, volunteers are still needed to help distribute baskets.

By Sam Waller

With Christmas Day on a Sunday for the first time in six years, local churches are getting ready for special Christmas services.

Plans for many traditional events had not been finalized at press time.

Matthews Memorial
Presbyterian Church will conduct Christmas Eve services at 6:00 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 24.

A brief Christmas morning service will start at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 25.

Trinity Lutheran will hold a Christmas Eve children’s program at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 24.

By Sam Waller

Marine SSgt. Doug Beaty made his final delivery of toys for the Toys for Tots drive to the Youth Center on Tuesday, Dec. 13 in advance of toy distribution by ResourceCare.

“I’ve taken eight boxes, and I’m bringing eight more full boxes, with maybe a little bit of extra stuff,” Beaty said.

Beaty coordinates the annual campaign in Shackelford County and the surrounding area. He said more than $4,000 was spent on toys for this year.

ResourceCare provides Beaty with the ages and genders of children registered for the program.