By Donnie A. Lucas With the annual Fall Fest becoming a casualty of the COVID-19 pandemic, local merchants and the Chamber of Commerce are banding together to offer an afternoon of fun and food on Saturday, Oct. 31 in the downtown area.

By Donnie A. Lucas The 2020 Red Ribbon Campaign to educate students and the general public about drug and alcohol abuse is set for next week, Oct. 26-30, with events at both local school campuses.

By Lynsi Musselman The Albany High School student council will sponsor a Hendrick Regional Blood Center blood drive at the secondary campus on Monday, Oct. 26 from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. The AHS student council plans to sponsor two blood drives this year, one in the fall and one in the spring.

The annual Trick or Treat for Change sponsored by the Albany student council has been cancelled due to concerns over the coronavirus, according to secondary principal Glen Hill.

By Donnie A. Lucas Like several other local events such as the Fall Fest and homecoming parade, the 23rd annual Running Man event sponsored by the Feed Store has been cancelled for this year due COVID-19 concerns.

By Lynsi Musselman The Old Jail Art Center is now offering a monthly arts and crafts workshop series through a subscription box format. OJAC education director Erin Whitmore said that each month, subscribers will receive a supply kit and coordinating video that is password protected.

The Albany News’ 15th annual holiday recipe section will be published in one month, with favorite recipes being solicited from all ages of current and former Albany and Moran chefs and bakers. “We’re looking forward to getting this underway,” said News editor Melinda Lucas.

By Lynsi Musselman Albany Flag Football and 7-on-7 teams have made it halfway through their seven-week season. League organizer Anthony Ceder explained that all teams have played three games each.

By Lynsi Musselman Early voting for the Nov. 3 election began in Texas and Shackelford County, on Tuesday, Oct. 13.

By Lynsi Musselman The mums are getting made, and the streets are painted in preparation for Albany Homecoming 2020, an event that some felt might never get to happen.