By Donnie A. Lucas

Mixed in with traditional trick or treat youngsters on Sunday evening will be the Albany Jr./Sr. High Student Council members seeking donations to the Albany Chest with their annual Trick-or-Treat For Change Project.

The council will be divided into groups and canvass the town dressed in their Halloween best hoping for donations to assist the Albany Chest raise its goal of $46,000 this year.

In the past, the council has typically has raise from $800 to $1,000 with the event.

The event was cancelled last year due to the COVID pandemic.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Local senior citizens might get the “warm and fuzzies” more easily this winter thanks to a blanket drive organized by a local resident and being facilitated by First Baptist Church.

FBC member Stephen Gleitz formulated the plan to “Cover Our Seniors,” collecting new blankets to be handed out throughout the community in time for the onset of winter.

Gleitz, who is a Director of Critical Care Services at Hendrick Medical Center, organized the drive as a community service project needed to complete his Masters in Nursing Administration this fall.

By Sam Waller

Neighbors in Need will soon be known as the Local Exchange as the ministry looks to streamline operations.

“For now, the name change is just for Neighbors in Need,” Lori Reames, director of Closet Angels, said. “However, the new phone number we have is also for Closet Angels.”

The new number for both ministries is 325-762-0335.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Running Man, which has become an Albany tradition, is set for Saturday night, Oct. 30 starting and ending at The Feed Store.

Billed as the ultimate hide-n-seek game for youth, the event will blanket the streets and alleys of Albany as participants are dropped off in teams to make their way back to the “home base” at The Feed Store without being detected by spotlighters.

By Sam Waller

Big Sexy Smokers claimed titles in three categories, and Lesley Jones won two Saturday at the Albany Chamber of Commerce’s inaugural Home of the Hereford Cookoff and Cornhole Tournament at Webb Park.

The event was organized as a fundraiser for new holiday decorations put up throughout Albany. Chamber manager Mary Beth Jones said sponsorships for the cookoff covered those costs.

“It turned out well,” Jones said. “It was a really nice family event.”

The Albany News’ 16th annual holiday recipe section will be published in one month, with favorite recipes being solicited from all ages of current and former Albany and Moran chefs and bakers.

“We’ve had really good response since we started publishing the recipe guides, and we’re looking forward to getting this one underway,” said News editor Melinda Lucas. “I’ve already heard from a couple of people.”

All kinds of recipes from appetizers and beverages to desserts are being requested.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Lady Lions made the most of a home court advantage last week, clinching the District 6-2A volleyball championship  on Oct. 19 by sweeping Hawley for the second time this season. They then began preparing for the playoffs by beating Hico on Saturday.

“We are excited to be district champions,” Lady Lions coach M.J. Reneau said. “Now we are looking forward to our playoff run.”

By Sam Waller

Albany’s Jonathan Coody finished 60th in a field of 111 runners Monday at the Region II-2A cross country meet at Grand Prairie.

Coody, a freshman, covered the course at Lynn Creek Park in 21 minutes, 2.93 seconds. The time was about 47 seconds off what he ran at the District 10-2A meet on Oct. 13, but Albany coach Tate Thompson said the regional course was slightly longer.

By Sam Waller

After a week off, the Albany Lions face their biggest test of the season Friday when the Santo Wildcats visit Robert Nail Memorial Stadium in a showdown for first place in District 8-2A Division II.

Kickoff is 7:00 p.m.

Albany (7-0 overall, 2-0 district) and Santo (8-0, 2-0) share the district lead after the Wildcats defeated Hico 34-14 last week.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Junior High volleyball teams split a pair of matches against Hawley Oct. 18 with the seventh grade Lady Cubs wrapping up their season.

The eighth graders played their final match on Tuesday against Strawn. Results will be reported next week.

Against Hawley, the eighth grade won 26-24, 25-21 to improve to 9-2 overall and remain undefeated in district.