By Melinda L. Lucas

The cultural traditions of el Día de los Muertos will be celebrated at the Old Jail Art Center for the 15th year with a free family festival for all ages, featuring an Ofrenda honoring people who have been important to the museum.

The event is set for Saturday, Oct. 29 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.

“This colorful and joyous event is an opportunity for local families to remember and celebrate the lives of their loved ones and ancestors,” said Erin Whitmore, director of education at the Old Jail.

By Melinda L. Lucas

All parents, teachers, and administrators of Albany students are being asked to attend an important session of the Albany PTO on Monday, Nov. 7, starting at 6:30 p.m. in the elementary cafeteria.

The meeting has been set during the evening hours so that hopefully more people will be able to attend, according to local PTO officer Ragan Riley.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Pick-up dates for the November distribution of the commodity food program will be Thursday, Nov. 3 and Friday, Nov. 4.

Moran families should pick up their monthly commodity food at the Moran City Hall between 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. on Nov. 3.

Albany families eligible for the November food distribution program can pick up their food on Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the the JP office. If the Courthouse parking lot is still closed due to construction, the distribution will be beside the JP office on Walnut Street.

By Melinda L. Lucas

During Monday’s meeting of the Shackelford County commissioners, elected officials eliminated an option of applying for a low-interest HVAC loan program and talked about the unsecured internet access at the county library.

Observing the session were 11 local 4-H officers, along with county extension agent Kelsey Bell.

Bell explained that the 4-Hers were attending in order to learn more about parliamentary procedure.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Only two new ­COVID-19 cases were reported last week, as the number of local cases continues to decline based on information provided by Albany’s two health clinics.

The weekly report by county judge Bob Skelton issued on Tuesday showed two positive test results out of 12 tests administered at the two local clinics for the period of Oct. 17-21.

There were two positive cases out of six tests for the week of Oct. 10-14.

By Melinda L. Lucas

About 25,000 tax statements were mailed last week, as local property owners find out what they will owe in taxes for this year.

Chief appraiser Clayton Snyder at the Shackelford County Appraisal District (CAD) office stated that tax rates for all eight county taxing entities were entered earlier this month, and statements from the  mailing service started going out Oct. 17.

Statement Details

For the eighth year, statement files were uploaded electronically to a mailing company for processing and distribution.

By Donnie A. Lucas

After a four-year absence, the “Albany Nativity” will be presented for two performances on Dec. 10 and 11.

The show depicts the birth of Christ and was written by Albany playwright Robert Nail, who also wrote and directed the Fort Griffin Fandangle.

Normally produced on even years, it has been four years since the production was presented due to the ­COVID-19 pandemic.

By Donnie A. Lucas

For the second year in a row, the Albany Ragin’ Red Band will compete in the Area UIL Marching Contest on Saturday after earning a trio of Division I ratings on Oct. 17 at the regional contest.

The band will get a send-off at 4:45 p.m. Friday on their way to perform at the Albany vs. Hamlin football game in Hamlin.

Band members will present their contest show at 6:45 p.m. as a pre-game performance.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The Albany Jr./Sr. High Student Council was busy collecting for a community-wide cause on Sunday, breaking a record with the amount they raised.

About 20 members of the council gathered to go trick or treating, but instead of traditional treats, they were collecting donations for the Albany Chest.

The group raised a record amount of $1,702 going door to door dressed in their Halloween finery.

By Sam Waller

The Feed Store will once again conduct “the ultimate hide-n-seek game” with the 26th Running Man event for youth.

The activities begin at 9:00 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29 at The Feed Store with teams of runners expected to start the competition by 10:00 p.m.

“There will be a speaker, and then we’ll go over all the rules,” Feed Store director Tisha Wilkins said.

Jamey Calvary of Abilene will address the participants before they are taken to their starting points.