By Sam Waller

Five homes in Albany were recognized for their holiday displays by judges of the Albany Chamber of Commerce’s house decorating contest.

The home of Samantha Isbell was awarded first place with a prize of 100 Albany Bucks.

Second place went to Red and Shirley Alexander, who received 75 Albany Bucks.

Third place and 50 Albany Bucks went to Jeff and Gaye Davis.

The Isbell and Alexander homes are repeat winners.

Receiving honorable mention were the homes of Steven and Kathryn Sutton and Cliff and Mary Rose.

News readers and advertisers are asked to be aware that no newspaper will be published, either in print or online, the week after Christmas, and that the office will close early on Dec. 23.

“There will not be an edition on Thursday, Dec. 30,” said News editor Melinda Lucas. “We hope we’ve given everyone ample notice that we’re going to take that week off to spend time with our families.”

By Sam Waller

A tractor-trailer carrying concrete conduits overturned and spilled its load on the morning of Thursday, Dec. 16, shutting down at least two lanes and at times all four lanes of U.S. Highway 180 on the east side of Albany for several hours.

Albany Police Chief Mike House said the driver of the westbound truck, registered to Man Transportation of Breckenridge, lost control, and the vehicle turned over as it negotiated the curve where 180 merges with Hill Street near the Allsup’s convenience store. 

By Melinda L. Lucas

Members of the Shackelford County Hospital District’s board of directors heard the 2020 audit report and also took action to temporarily replace EMS supervisor Tina Ulbrich because of an upcoming medical leave during the regular December meeting on Monday night.

The directors delayed a decision on creating a new nurse manager position at the clinic and made plans to move forward with interviews for the district’s administrator job, which has been vacant since last June.

Audit Report

By Sam Waller

City and county offices will close early this week and next for holiday observances,

Shackelford County offices will be closed Friday and Monday for Christmas. The Courthouse will also close Friday, Dec. 31, for New Year’s Eve.

City of Albany offices will close at noon Thursday (today) for Christmas and reopen Monday. City offices will also be closed Friday, Dec. 31, for New Year’s Eve.

The Shackelford County Library will be closed Friday through the end of the year. The library will resume its regular schedule on Monday, Jan. 3.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Republic Services, trash pickup contractor for the City of Albany, will run its regular schedule for the week of Christmas.

Residential trash containers and business and industrial containers normally picked up on Thursday, Dec. 23 will run as scheduled.

Trash pickup also will remain as scheduled the following week, with residential, business and industrial containers picked up  on the regular date.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The first 2022 distribution of government commodities is set for Thursday, Jan. 6 at the Moran City Hall, followed by another session on Friday, Jan. 7 for Albany residents behind the justice of the peace office at the Courthouse.

Families that are certified as eligible can pick up the January allotment between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. at both locations.

We want to thank everyone for all the love and kindness you have shown our family through our tremendous loss. Thank you for all the prayers, food, flowers, plants and kind words. Sarge was loved by many. We appreciate each and every one of you. 

A special thanks to Clint Chapman. It feels great to be in a town that makes you feel so loved in such a difficult time. Thank you all, 

Sargent family 

By Donnie A. Lucas

Albany students and staff are currently in the midst of a two-week Christmas break, even though a limited number of activities are scheduled next week at the high school level.

The break started with an early-release on Friday, Dec. 17 and will continue until Monday, Jan. 3 for staff members. Students will return for the first day of class on Tuesday, Jan. 4 to start the second semester and the fourth six weeks.

Teachers are going back a day earlier for staff development and to plan for the new semester.

During September, on the late Robert Nail’s birth date, and on through the Albany High School homecoming week, support was sought during the annual fundraising drive for “Dollars for Bob’s Scholarships.” 

However, the fundraising effort continues all through the year, and members of the Albany Ex-Students Association are asking Albany graduates and others to rememeber the fund in their end-of-year giving.