By Melinda L. Lucas

After canvassing and approving the delayed board election more than a week ago, Albany ISD’s trustees reelected the same slate of officers to serve until the next election, which is expected to be held as usual in May.

Robert Montgomery will continue to serve as president of the board, while Kelly Head was reelected as vice president and Kalico Leech as secretary. 

The board also approved a number of basically routine resolutions and action items, most of them required as part of various audits conducted throughout the year.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Shackelford County elected officials met in a special session on Monday morning, Nov. 16 to canvass the votes from the Nov. 3 General Election and go over a couple of proposals to refinance the county’s bond for the Law Enforcement Center (LEC), as well as add two grant recipients to the list of county-owned small businesses.

The election numbers that were reported earlier this month were validated without any changes.

Bond Proposals

By Sandy Morris

Local 4-H and FFA members are in the middle of competitions and validations as they move closer to stock show season. 

4-H Shooting Sports

The Shackelford County 4 –H Club will be hosting a shooting sports meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 8 at 5:45 p.m. at the First Christian Church. 

Shackelford County Extension Agent Kloey Painter said all of the shooting sports options will be discussed at the meeting.

“We will introduce coaches and go over important information for the shooting sports season,” said Painter.

Photo packages of local flag football teams and individuals have been printed and are now available.

Parents who paid in advance or who have valid accounts can pick up their packages at The Albany News office.

Others can be ordered when they are paid.

For more information, call 325-762-2201.

By Sandy Morris

Albany school students will be dismissed early for the Thanksgiving holidays on Tuesday, Nov. 24 with a noon release time.

On Tuesday, Nov. 24, all Nancy Smith Elementary School students will be dismissed at 12:00 noon. Parents will need to pick up their students or make other arrangements. 

All other grades will be released at 12:30 p.m., including junior high and high school students. 

The Thanksgiving holidays include Wednesday, Nov. 25 through Friday, Nov. 27.

By Sandy Morris

Friendship Baptist Church members are inviting everyone to attend the church’s fifth annual “Harvest Acres” this Saturday, Nov. 21, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Attendees will have the opportunity to buy homemade baked goods, purchase handcrafted gifts and participate in the silent auction for larger prizes. 

The silent auction will be open all day and people can place bids on items until 2:30 p.m. 

No dinner meal will be served this year, but soup and chili will be available for take-out starting at 11:00 a.m. 

By Sandy Morris

The traditional community-wide Thanksgiving service will be held this Sunday, Nov. 22 at First Christian Church. 

The event is open to the entire community. 

The program will begin at 6:00 p.m. with Brad McBee, pastor of First Christian Church, leading the attendees in song. 

Jeff Turner, pastor of First Baptist Church, will deliver the message. 

The community service is sponsored annually by the Albany Ministerial Alliance. 

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By Sandy Morris

The Albany Ministerial Alliance is accepting applications for Christmas baskets from Shackelford County residents who wish to be included in the annual drive. 

The annual event provides Christmas baskets to families in need and include various food items for a healthy traditional holiday meal. 

Baskets offer a choice of a whole uncooked turkey, a pre-cooked turkey breast or a pre-cooked ham, in addition to vegetables and other holiday side dishes. 

By Sandy Morris

Christmas shoebox season is here and several local congregations are participating in Operation Christmas Child as part of the Samaritan’s Purse Ministries.  

Local churches participating in the program this year include First Baptist Church, First Christian Church,  and First  United Methodist Church.

The purpose of the mission is to pick up a shoebox from a local participating church and fill the box with various gifts such as fun toys, school supplies, and hygiene items.  

By Sandy Morris

Local residents can help the Abilene Salvation Army with Thanksgiving meals by bringing homemade or purchased pies to the First United Methodist fellowship hall beginning Thursday, Nov. 19 through 10:00 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 23. 

FUMC member Lance Thomas said this week that the Salvation Army serves 4,000 to 6,000 meals a month and is especially busy at Thanksgiving.