The city of Albany will receive a sales tax allotment of $56,730 from the state this October. The amount is down 15.54 percent from the $67,174 payment received in October of 2017.

Payments to date for the 2018 year to the city of Albany are $445,471, down by 2.28 percent from the comparable time last year, when payments of $455,873 had been made.

The city of Moran will receive a net payment of $1,411 this period, for a 17.33 percent increase from the $1,203 received in October 2017.

Friends of Fort Griffin, a local non-profit whose primary purpose is to help preserve and restore the original buildings at Fort Griffin State Historical Site, was recently selected as the recipient of the Friends of the Texas Historical Commission 2019 Friends Alliance Award for Stewardship. 

“It was a big surprise to me, and a great honor,” said member Steve Waller. “It is very gratifying to be recognized by the Historical Commission for all that we do.”

Art enthusiasts are invited to the Old Jail Art Center this Saturday evening for a chance to purchase paintings, porcelains, sculptures, stoneware, pottery, etchings, and photographs from among the 69 lots contributed to the museum’s 14th biennial auction. 

Funds raised will benefit the Old Jail’s Acquisitions Fund and the conservation of the permanent collection, according to executive director Patrick Kelly.

Christmas gift ideas are quickly filling store shelves, and ResourceCare employees are hoping that donations will allow them to share holiday presents with all of the local children, teens, and seniors that request their assistance this yuletide season.

Toys for Tots

Marine SSgt. Doug Beaty coordinates the local Toys for Tots campaign, which provides gifts for Albany children ages zero to 11, working through the Resource Center. 

The annual Albany Chest campaign is underway, and donations totalling $13,782 had been deposited into the account by Monday, Nov. 5, leaving $28,218 still needed to reach this year’s goal of $42,000. 

Local residents are reminded that everyone is not expected to give large amounts. 

Albany ISD trustees spent a long day on Saturday, Nov. 3 interviewing six candidates for the post of AISD superintendent, bringing the total list of interviews so far to nine, according to interim superintendent Doyleen Terrell.

Two other candidates withdrew before their interviews were held.

A total of 41 educators from around the state applied for the position by the Oct. 4 deadline.

The trustees will meet again on Wednesday, Nov. 14 to review the interviews held so far, and they plan to call some of the applicants back for a second interview starting Nov. 17.

General hunting season for white-tailed deer opened Saturday, Nov. 3, and hunters that harvest more venison than they intend to use are encouraged to donate their extra bounty to Hunters for the Hungry.

Locally, field-dressed deer can be dropped off at Rocker B Taxidermy, along with the required $40 to $50 processing fee, during regular business hours.

“Donated deer can be dropped off from 8:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m., seven days a week,” said business owner Russell Braly. “But you must leave money for the processing charges.”

Recipes are still being accepted for the upcoming holiday recipe section, according to Albany News editor Melinda Lucas, although today is the last opportunity to get something in.

“I know there are lots of great cooks in Albany and Moran, and I’d love to hear from them,” said Lucas, “but I’ve got to get started on Friday, so this is your last chance.”

Several individuals have sent contributions for the Nov. 15 tab, but many more are needed.

Recipes can be brought to the News office, faxed to 325-762-3201, or emailed to news@thealbanynews.net.

A large turnout of Shackelford County voters, believed to be a record for a midterm election and representing more than 56 percent of registered voters, overwhelming supported Republican candidates in state and national offices.

There was a huge gap in all races, with Republicans earning as much as 90 to 93 percent of the local vote in many areas.

Statewide percentages were much closer in most races, but Republican incumbents managed to fend off their Democratic challengers.

An event often called the official start of the Albany holiday season is set to start at 10:00 a.m. this Saturday, Nov. 10, with a new silent auction starring a “promising” German shorthair puppy.

Members of the Matthews Memorial Presbyterian Church have been decorating and cooking for weeks in preparation for this weekend’s annual church bazaar, which traditionally features home cooking, crafts, and a classic Thanksgiving meal.