By Sam Waller

A tractor-trailer carrying concrete conduits overturned and spilled its load on the morning of Thursday, Dec. 16, shutting down at least two lanes and at times all four lanes of U.S. Highway 180 on the east side of Albany for several hours.

Albany Police Chief Mike House said the driver of the westbound truck, registered to Man Transportation of Breckenridge, lost control, and the vehicle turned over as it negotiated the curve where 180 merges with Hill Street near the Allsup’s convenience store. 

News readers and advertisers are asked to be aware that no newspaper will be published, either in print or online, the week after Christmas, and that the office will close early on Dec. 23.

“There will not be an edition on Thursday, Dec. 30,” said News editor Melinda Lucas. “We hope we’ve given everyone ample notice that we’re going to take that week off to spend time with our families.”

By Sam Waller

Five homes in Albany were recognized for their holiday displays by judges of the Albany Chamber of Commerce’s house decorating contest.

The home of Samantha Isbell was awarded first place with a prize of 100 Albany Bucks.

Second place went to Red and Shirley Alexander, who received 75 Albany Bucks.

Third place and 50 Albany Bucks went to Jeff and Gaye Davis.

The Isbell and Alexander homes are repeat winners.

Receiving honorable mention were the homes of Steven and Kathryn Sutton and Cliff and Mary Rose.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Anyone who doesn’t have lunch plans on Christmas Day this Saturday is invited to attend the annual Christmas Feast set from 11:30 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. at the Matthews Memorial Presbyterian Church.

This is the 13th year that the church has provided a meal for the community on Dec. 25.

“It is intended to provide fellowship on Christmas Day for those who may not have family in town for the holidays, or for anyone regardless of the circumstances who would like to come join us,” said Tamara Trail, one of the event organizers.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Some of the props and facilities of the Fort Griffin Fandangle are showing their age, prompting the board of directors to initiate a capital improvements drive to make needed updates.

Originated in 1938 by Albany playwright Robert Nail, the annual show held in June has been performed at its own Prairie Theater since 1964.

While minor improvements have been made to the theater over the years, the directors feel it is time to make more substantial and lasting repairs to safely see the show through its first century of performances.

By Sam Waller

The Chelsey’s Project ministry will continue despite a fire that destroyed its building last week.

A structure in the 500 block of North Sixth Street that Chelsey’s Project director Blanca Sanchez used to store items caught fire on Wednesday night, Dec. 8.

Lt. Casey Kimbrough of the Albany Volunteer Fire Department said the local department received assistance from the Shackelford County Rural VFD and Breckenridge in combatting the blaze.

By Donnie A. Lucas

For the second year, Albany will honor its veterans at the Albany Cemetery with a Christmas wreath laying ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 18.

Volunteers and family members will gather at 11:00 a.m. at the pavilion at the cemetery for a brief ceremony, then fan out across the cemetery to distribute 525 wreaths on the graves of veterans.

The program is held as part of the National Wreaths Across America Day, with Henry and Melinda Musselman donating the wreaths.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The filing period for the March 1 primary elections ended on Monday, with no new candidates signing up for the available offices this election cycle.

Several candidates filed last Tuesday with Republican party chairman Rodney Casey, and two others turned in their paperwork on Monday of this week.

The filing period ended at 6:00 p.m. on Monday.

Officially adding their name to the list of candidates on Monday were Raleigh Breeden for county judge and incumbent Cody Jordan for the Precinct 4 commissioner’s office.

By Melinda L. Lucas

News readers and advertisers are reminded that there will be no paper published Dec. 30 during the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day.

The News office will be open on Monday through Thursday, Dec. 27-30 of that week. The office is always closed on Fridays, so it will be closed all day on New Year’s Eve, Dec. 31.

Because Christmas Day falls on Saturday, there does not have to be an early deadline this year. The normal Tuesday noon deadline will apply for the week of Dec. 27. 

By Donnie A. Lucas

The Albany school board moved to appoint a  new member to fill a vacant seat, accepted one resignation, and approved a one-time payment to all school employees during a meeting held Monday, Dec. 13.

Albany resident Matt Bellah was sworn in to fill the Place 5 seat for the unexpired portion of a three-year term that ends in May 2022 on a motion by Kim Fuentes. The position opened after the resignation of longtime board member Kelly Head earlier in the year.