By Sam Waller

Applications for the Albany Ministerial Alliance’s Christmas Basket program are down slightly this year, according to Alliance secretary Tisha Wilkins.

Wilkins said the Alliance received 92 applications this year, the first time since 2018 the number has been below 100. In 2021, 119 baskets were delivered, the most ever.

The annual food drive strives to provide boxes filled with the ingredients needed for a traditional holiday meal to families in need of assistance.

By Sam Waller

Shackelford County 4-H is gearing up for a busy December with practice, clinics, and a Christmas party on the schedule

Up first is a mock Food Challenge at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3 at The Feed Store. The event is to help 4-Hers prepare for the District 7 Food Challenge on Wednesday, Jan. 25, in San Angelo.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Athletic Booster Club is gearing up for another round of playoff activities as the Albany Lions continue to advance in the Class 2A Division II bracket.

The Lions face the Collinsville Pirates at 7:00 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2 in a state quarterfinal game at Ram Stadium in Mineral Wells.

The weekly community pep rally will be held at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 1 (tonight) at the Bank Park.

Spirit Drum

Beating of the spirit drum will begin tonight about 8:00 p.m. following the pep rally in advance of the Lions’ playoff game.

By Sam Waller

Deadline for registering to play for the Albany Little Dribblers fifth and sixth grade basketball teams is Thursday, Dec. 1 (today).

A $35 per-child fee includes a team shirt.

Registration forms are available at Nancy Smith Elementary School. Completed forms  and the fee should be returned to the school or delivered to Clint Chapman by the deadline.

Practices will start after the registration process is complete.

By Sam Waller

Moran ISD resumed classes this week after taking last week off for Thanksgiving break.

“We just had to hit the ground running because we’ve got so much stuff going on,” principal Jo Hise said.

By Sam Waller

Producers needing to accrue Continuing Education Units can do so Thursday, Dec. 8 at the Big Country CEU Conference in Abilene.

The day-long program will consist of six one-hour classes covering different topics. Five Agriculture CEUs and up to six Structural CEUs will be offered.

“It’s an opportunity for people to get CEUs at the end of the year if anyone needs them,” said Shackelford County Extension agent Kelsey Bell, who will help with the event. “This is an opportunity to get several.”

By Melinda L. Lucas

Pick-up dates for the November distribution of the commodity food program are Thursday, Dec. 8 and Friday, Dec. 9.

In addition to the regular foods, families who pick up next week will receive an extra “Christmas Bag” to make up for the “Thanksgiving Bags” that were scheduled to go out last month.

County justice of the peace James Breeden, who oversees the program, said that products were not available for the usual holiday bags in early November, so he is giving Christmas foods to make up for it.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The annual Lighted Christmas Parade will cap a full day of seasonal activities and shopping on Saturday as it rolls through downtown starting immediately following the last of three Christmas drawings starting at 6:00 p.m.

“We have about 20 official entries so far, but I have received several more verbal commitments,” parade organizer Megaen Birdwell said earlier this week. “We really want to get as many people involved as possible.”

She added that several of the entries are new to the parade this year.

By Sam Waller

The local Toys for Tots campaign will again offer barbecue sandwiches during Small Town Saturday on Nov. 26.

Marine SSgt. Doug Beaty, who coordinates the toy drive in Shackelford County, will be assisted by members of the Moran National Honor Society. Beaty said serving will begin at 4:00 p.m. at the Bank Park before the start of the Lighted Christmas Parade. In case of inclement weather, the serving line will be set up at The Albany News’ covered parking area.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Directors for the Shackelford County Hospital District awarded Christmas bonuses during a very short meeting on Monday, Nov. 21.

After a closed session, Jason Price made the motion, with a second by Mary Beth Jones, to approve the bonuses for all district employees.

Specific amounts were not included in the motion, but hospital district administrator Brandi Green said that they were similar to those given last year.