By Sam WallerSeveral Albany churches will conduct special services as part of their Christmas celebrations this weekend.Trinity LutheranTrinity Lutheran Church will have a Christmas Eve Children’s service at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 24.A Christmas Day worship service will be held at 10:30 a.m.

By Sam WallerThe Albany Ministerial Alliance distributed 119 food packages for its Christmas Basket campaign last Sunday afternoon.Ministerial Alliance secretary Tisha Wilkins said there were still three unclaimed baskets at The Feed Store as of Tuesday.

By Donnie A. LucasThe number of positive COVID-19 cases slowed over the last week, with a total of just nine positives out of 23 tests administered, according to a report issued by county judge Bob Skelton.The testing figures are for the week of Dec. 13-17.

By Sam WallerChris Overton of Albany helped a Woodson Junior High School group finish first in One Act Play in the District 21-1A academic meet on. Nov. 29, earning a spot in the all-star cast.

By Donnie A. LucasTwo Albany sophomores earned spots on the All-Region Band during try-outs at Midland Greenwood High School on Dec. 11.Ashley Sanchez was awarded 17th chair clarinet, and Trinity McBee was 26th chair flute, both earning seats in the All-Region Band.

During September, on the late Robert Nail’s birth date, and on through the Albany High School homecoming week, support was sought during the annual fundraising drive for “Dollars for Bob’s Scholarships.

By Donnie A. LucasAlbany students and staff are currently in the midst of a two-week Christmas break, even though a limited number of activities are scheduled next week at the high school level.The break started with an early-release on Friday, Dec. 17 and will continue until Monday, Jan.

We want to thank everyone for all the love and kindness you have shown our family through our tremendous loss. Thank you for all the prayers, food, flowers, plants and kind words. Sarge was loved by many. We appreciate each and every one of you. A special thanks to Clint Chapman.

By Melinda L. LucasRepublic Services, trash pickup contractor for the City of Albany, will run its regular schedule for the week of Christmas.Residential trash containers and business and industrial containers normally picked up on Thursday, Dec. 23 will run as scheduled.

By Sam WallerCity and county offices will close early this week and next for holiday observances,Shackelford County offices will be closed Friday and Monday for Christmas. The Courthouse will also close Friday, Dec. 31, for New Year’s Eve.