By Jillian Lucas Reminder for community members that local ministries Closet Angels and Neighbors in Need are currently closed. Closet Angels is set to re-open on July 19 with Neighbors in Need having an indefinite opening date.

By Sandy Morris Albany High School graduates Brady Karl and Riley Green recently earned American Welding Society D1.1 certifications.

By Jillian Lucas The Old Jail Art Center children’s summer workshop registration is happening now with a deadline date set for Friday, July 9. Workshops will be offered virtually this year beginning each week of August for students in first through sixth grade.

By Jillian Lucas Many local youth are taking part in various opportunities provided by 4-H this summer, including a variety of camps. Two camps are coming up in the next few weeks that several Albany 4-H members will be attending.

By Sandy Morris In additional to traditional fundraisers and membership drives, the Old Jail Art Center now has ways for people to support the museum through online shopping and social media.

By Jillian Lucas As Independence Day quickly approaches, community members are urged to use adequate safety precautions when celebrating and using fireworks. “Our main concern and focus is personal safety,” said Albany Volunteer Fire Department chief Travis Gardenhire.

By Jillian Lucas Well over 200 people, including 155 campers, 40 high school workers, 22 junior high volunteers, and a slew of ResourceCare employees, are set to begin ResourceCare’s 23rd year of Summer Day Camp on July 12.

Albany News readers and advertisers are asked to be aware that no newspaper will be published, either in print or online, during the week of July 12. “There will not be an edition on Thursday, July 15,” said News editor Melinda Lucas.

By Jillian Lucas There will be no Chamber of Commerce lunch on Friday, July 2 in observance of Independence Day weekend.  According to Chamber manager Mary Beth Jones, Chamber lunches will begin again on July 9 at the Icehouse.

By Sidney Bartee Pick-up dates for the July distribution of the commodity food program  provided by Shackelford County are July 1 and 2. According to Justice of the Peace James Breeden, dates will remain the same even with the July 4 holiday.