By Kathy Thomson

Several members of the Albany FFA Chapter competed at the Big Country District’s Leadership Development Events on Monday, Nov. 18 at Cisco College.

Seth Hale made up the Albany entry that placed second high team in Job Interview. Hale will advance to the Area IV contest.

Alayna Koemel competed in Senior Creed Speaking, earning ninth place for the Albany team. 

The local chapter’s Senior Quiz team placed sixth. Members of the team were Addison Asher, Madelyn Connally, Alayna Koemel, and Taylor Scott.

The Texas Tech University Meat Judging Team, housed within the Department of Animal & Food Sciences in the College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources, capped the 2019 competitive season by capturing the program’s 14th national championship last week at the American Meat Science Association International Meat Judging Contest in Dakota City, Nebraska.

Newt Koemel of Albany was a member of the Meat Judging Team. He placed fifth high individual in the alternate division with a score of 836.

By Kathy Thomson

Each December, the organization Wreaths Across America coordinates wreath-laying ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery and at veterans graves at more than 1,600 additional locations in all 50 U.S. states, at sea, and abroad.

Part-time Albany resident Melinda Musselman would like help in bringing this display of respect and honor to the local cemetery.

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.

By Kathy Thomson

November is Diabetic Awareness Month, and one Moran student is personally aware of dangers and hardships caused by this life-long disease.

According to the 2017 National Diabetes Statistics Report, there are 30.3 million people in the United States living with diabetes, and of those, 90 to 95 percent have type two diabetes, where their bodies do not respond correctly to insulin.

Baylee Orsak has the less common type one, where the pancreas does not make an adequate amount of insulin.

By Kathy Thomson

Moran Independent School District will host its annual Thanksgiving Meal on Friday, Nov. 22 in the school cafeteria from 11:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.

Parents and other family members are invited to eat with their students.

Moran has a staff comp day and a student holiday on Monday, Nov. 25. The school will be closed the rest of the week, Nov. 26-29, for Thanksgiving.

Classes will resume on Monday, Dec. 2.

Local residents can help the Abilene Salvation Army with Thanksgiving meals by bringing homemade or purchased pies to the First United Methodist fellowship hall by 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 26.

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

“We collected lots of pies a couple of years ago, and they were very grateful,” said Thomas. “I think pies came from every church and many individuals.”

By Kathy Thomson

Members of the Albany Chamber of Commerce are getting organized for the upcoming Christmas season with plans that include decorating the downtown area and hosting special events including prize drawings and a lighted parade on the Saturday following Thanksgiving.

“We are decorating downtown on Saturday, Nov. 23,” said Chamber manager Mary Beth Jones. “Our annual kick-off to Christmas and lighted Christmas parade will be on Saturday, Nov. 30. We’ll also have prize drawings, music, wine, entertainment, and shopping.”

By Kathy Thomson

The Moran Independent School District’s annual Veterans Day hamburger luncheon was held at the MISD Event Center at noon on Monday, Nov. 11.

Several members of the student body helped put on the event, including Andrew Farner and J.T. Holland, who cooked the meat, and Emily Murk and Chloe Hendricks, who served as greeters.

All local veterans and their families were invited to attend the Veterans Day meal as guests of honor.

3rd Six Weeks Starts

By Melinda L. Lucas

After reviewing options presented by West Central Texas Municipal Water District, Albany’s city council voted to enter into a 26-year contract to  purchase 130 acre feet of water rights annually from Possum Kingdom Lake through WCTMWD, beginning August 2020.

The cost of the guaranteed raw water supply is $20,540 per year regardless of whether or not it is drawn, explained city manager Billy Holson, who also said that WCTMWD wanted the contract decision by Dec. 1.