By Sam WallerThe Old Jail Art Center is going straight from its holiday programs into planning its next big event, the Jewel of the Prairie gala fundraiser in February.Current exhibits will close Jan. 29, the Lunar New Year Family Festival will be Feb. 5, and new exhibits will open Feb.

By Sam WallerA Shackelford County landmark was damaged and a well-traveled road in the county cut off just before Thanksgiving.The Landreth Dam bridge has been closed to traffic since Nov.

By Melinda L. LucasThe start of a new year is a time for celebrating, and local emergency responders remind county residents to make sure that any fireworks used in the festivities are handled safely and legally.

By Sam WallerShackelford County FFA and 4-H members are in the final month of getting animals ready for the county stock show, and members of the Shackelford County Youth and Livestock Association are doing their parts to make the event a success.Members of the association met Dec. 7.

Moran ISD offices and schools are closed for the holiday break.Teachers and staff will return to work on Monday, Jan. 3, with a staff development day.Classes resume on Tuesday, Jan. 4.School holidays are scheduled for Monday, Jan, 17, and Friday, Jan. 21. The end of the six weeks is Friday, Feb. 11.

By Sam WallerAfter a slow fall dove season, the outlook for the winter season is also disappointing for outdoorsmen, according to game warden Jacob Mort.The winter season opened Dec. 17 and runs through Jan. 2.“Everything as far as hunting migratory birds is below average this year,” Mort said.

By Donnie A. LucasOver 525 Christmas wreaths were placed on the graves of local veterans at the Albany Cemetery last Saturday during the second annual observance of Wreaths Across America Day.

By Sam WallerCub Scout Pack 255 of Albany made a contribution of winter clothing items Monday to the Closet Angels ministry.Closet Angels director Lori Reames said the Pack has made an annual donation for several years.“It couldn’t hit at a better time,” Reames said.

By Sam WallerThe annual Albany Chest campaign is in its final days, and the drive is still almost $12,000 short of the 2021 goal of $46,000 set by the directors.

The Feed Store will be closed through the rest of the year, reopening when school resumes on Tuesday, Jan. 4, according to executive director Tisha Wilkins.“We usually don’t have many activities during school breaks,” she said.