By Melinda L. Lucas
An Albany blood drive is set for today, Dec. 2, coinciding with an announcement that there is a critical need for blood in the Big Country.
According to Kelsey Caprio with the blood center, the holidays have led to a critical shortage of blood A and O blood types, but all types are needed.
By Melinda L. Lucas
In addition to looking for people to purchase hamburgers this next Sunday, the Ministerial Alliance is also looking for volunteers from each church to help sack and serve the meals.
The event benefitting the Lee Hail family, will be held at Friendship Baptist Church at noon on Sunday, Dec. 5, with hamburgers, chips, cookie, and a drink available for donations.
Hail, who pastored the United Pentecostal Church, died recently after contracting COVID.
By Sam Waller
The Albany Ministerial Alliance’s Christmas Basket food drive is moving forward with the food order being placed earlier this week.
“Brookshire’s has always been very gracious in helping us get food ordered in the past,” Ministerial Alliance secretary Tisha Wilkins said.
The annual program strives to provide a box filled with ingredients needed for a traditional holiday meal to families in need of assistance.
The drive received 101 applicants this year with 41 in Albany, 35 in Moran and 25 through Vittles by Vehicles.
By Sam Waller
Among its other qualities, Shackelford County has become something of a magnet for law enforcement.
In addition to local agencies, Albany has attracted a number of state troopers who either live or work in the county.
There are currently nine active or former Department of Public Safety officers living or working in the county.
Former troopers are Shackelford County Judge Robert Skelton, Constable Xavier Perez, and Brian Waggoner of the Fort Griffin Special Utility District.
By Sam Waller
The next step in the Albany Ministerial Alliance’s Believe Tree for Teens program begins Saturday with trees distributed to local churches.
Six participating congregations – Mathews Memorial Presbyterian, First United Methodist, Maranatha Fellowship, First Baptist, First Christian, and Friendsahip Christian – will have trees with ornaments containing details for applicants.
By Donnie A. Lucas
Despite the shortened holiday work schedule last week, the number of COVID-19 tests administered continued to rise, according to a report issued by Shackelford County judge Bob Skelton.
A total of 45 tests were administered at the three testing locations in Albany, with a combined total of 16 positive results during Nov. 22-24.
The Shackelford County Health Clinic also reported giving an additional 14 tests on Monday with 10 positive results.
By Sam Waller
Facing a higher-ranked opponent for the first time this season, the Albany Lions knew they’d have to raise their level of play last Friday against the Muenster Hornets in their Class 2A Division II regional final.
The fourth-ranked Lions did just that, using a dominating defensive performance and offensive diversity in manhandling the second-ranked Hornets 34-21 at Springtown’s Porcupine Stadium.
By Sam Waller
The Albany Lady Lions basketball team dropped its second outing of the season on Tuesday, Nov. 23, losing 54-26 at Comanche before taking off for Thanksgiving.
Albany (0-2) played Tuesday at Ballinger. Details will be reported next week.
The Lady Lion will make their first tournament appearance of the season Thursday through Saturday at Breckenridge.
Against Comanche, Kiana Roberson scored 12 points to lead the local girls, who played less than 24 hours after opening their season against Ballinger.
By Sam Waller
The Albany Junior High basketball teams split four games Monday against Hawley, winning one girls and one boys contest.
At home, the Lady Cubs Red team won 44-17, while the White team lost 30-12.
In boys action at Hawley, the eighth grade Cubs won 38-15, while the seventh graders lost 35-23. The boys Combo game was cancelled.
The junior high teams return to action Monday, Dec. 6, against Hamlin. The girls teams will again play at home with the boys on the road for the third consecutive week.
Girls Red Team
By Melinda L. Lucas
Tickets for Friday’s state quarterfinal football playoff against Windthorst, to be played at 7:00 p.m. in Graham’s Newton Field, must be purchased online by going to grahamisd.org and clicking on “Tickets” or by following the link on the Albany Athletic Booster Club’s Facebook page.
Passes will be accepted, but no tickets will be sold at the gate, according to Graham officials.
