By Kathy Thomson The 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 revelry are handled safely and legally.

By Melinda L. Lucas The filing period for the March primary elections ended Monday evening with one local contested race after Bobby Williams submitted an application and petition on Monday morning for the office of Precinct 1 commissioner.

By Melinda L. Lucas Everyone is invited to join in traditional Italian Christmas activities at the Natale family festival at the Old Jail Art Center on Saturday, Dec. 14, from 12:00 noon to 3:00 p.m. “Buon Natale means ‘Merry Christmas’ in Italian,” explained educational coordinator Molly Merck.

By Kathy Thomson The annual Albany Chest campaign is in its final days, and the drive is still $15,880 short of the 2019 goal of $42,000 set by the directors.  According to Chest treasurer Paige Adair, $26,120 had been deposited as of Tuesday, Dec. 10.

News readers and advertisers are asked to be aware that no newspaper will be published, either in print or online, during the week of Christmas. “There will not be an edition on Thursday, Dec. 26,” said News editor Melinda Lucas.

By Kathy Thomson Shackelford County senior adults (60 and up) are invited to attend the Shackelford County Resource Center’s December senior luncheon to be held on Friday, Dec. 13 at the Youth Center beginning at 11:15 a.m.

By Melinda L. Lucas After a lengthy discussion, Albany volunteer firemen were given permission to spend $30,000 in designated funds for an auxiliary vehicle. The action came during a regular monthly session on Monday night, Dec. 9 at City Hall.

By Melinda L. Lucas Shackelford County commissioners approved a bid to repair a bridge on County Road 179 in Precinct 2 during a regular meeting on Monday morning, Dec. 9.

By Kathy Thomson This year the Albany Chamber of Commerce sponsored a children’s coloring contest for first through sixth grade students at Nancy Smith Elementary School. Students colored a Christmas scene selected by their teacher from among the options submitted by the Chamber.

By Melinda L. Lucas The public is invited to the Fort Griffin State Historical Site this Saturday to go fishing for rainbow trout in what is expected to be sunny weather, tour the fort, and then stay to view the night sky through the high powered telescopes of several astronomers.