The board of trustees at the Old Jail Art Center has asked potential donors to consider contributing now, during the museum’s current ongoing Annual Appeal, to double the effect of their generosity.

“An anonymous donor recognizes the importance and successes of the OJAC and has issued a generous challenge,” said executive director Patrick Kelly. “They will match contributions to the OJAC’s Annual Appeal dollar-for-dollar up to $25,000. Accept this challenge and double the impact of your gift!”

This holiday season, TxDOT is focusing on the issue of impaired driving by encouraging people to save a life by making a plan to get home safely before the holiday festivities begin. 

The Plan While You Can impaired driving campaign encourages drivers statewide to plan for a sober ride before enjoying festivities where drinking may occur. 

The campaign will run through Jan. 1, 2019 and coincides with an enforcement period in which DWI patrols will be at increased capacity looking for drunk drivers on Texas roadways. 

The varsity and JV Lady Lions split games at home last week, both falling to the Goldthwaite Lady Eagles and then both beating the Throckmorton Lady Greyhounds.

The teams have been idle for the Christmas break, but the varsity will resume action at a local tournament on Thursday and Friday. The Lady Lions are hosting several teams for the two-day event, with admission of $4 for adults and $2 for students each day.

The Lion varsity basketball team got off to a late but successful start last week, defeating the visiting Abilene Hawks.

The Lions have had a week-long break for Christmas, returning to the court on Friday at the Windthorst Tournament.

Albany is scheduled to play Vernon at 2:00 p.m. Friday in the first round, followed by a 6:30 p.m. second round game against City View. The Lions will play Iowa Park at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, ending the tourney with a 6:00 p.m. game against Slidell.

Monte McIntire of Gunsight was recognized by the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board for his 30 years of service as a board member for the Lower Clear Fork of the Brazos Soil and Water Conservation District. 

McIntire did not attend the state-wide Soil and Water Conservation District meeting in Fort Worth in October, when the plaque was originally presented, so fellow local board member John Tate picked it up for him, and presented the award to McIntire at the local district monthly meeting on Nov. 30.

Licensed hunters ages 16 years and younger have opportunities this winter and spring to sharpen their skills and bring home some whitetail and turkey trophies, and adult hunters still have time to harvest wild game. 

The regular season for dove continues until Jan. 14, duck season until Jan. 27, goose can be harvested until Feb. 3, and quail season continues until Feb. 24.

The regular season for deer and turkey ends Sunday, Jan. 6, but a special late deer season runs from Jan. 7 to Jan. 20, 2019, and is open to all legal hunters. 

The Lady Bulldogs brought home their second win of the season on Friday, Dec. 14 with a 26-23 victory over the visiting Throckmorton Lady Greyhounds.

The high school girls were off a week for Christmas, but are back on the court at the Dec.27-29 Munday Tournament.

The varsity girls will play Lueders-Avoca in Bulldog Gym on Dec. 31 at 11:00 a.m.

The junior high Lady Bulldogs lost 10-42 in Strawn last Monday, Dec. 17.

June Tait and Emma Hart were both recognized by their respective universities for their achievements during the 2018 fall semester.

June Tait was named to the University of North Texas President’s List. 

A speech pathology major, she is the daughter of Mary and Joey Boland of Albany and Randy and Rachel Tait of Breckenridge.

Emma Hart was named to the Dean’s Honor Roll at Midwestern State University.

She is the daughter of Mary and Joey Boland of Albany and Scott Hart of Abilene, and is a theatre major at MSU.

Patsy Lynn “Peacock” Braddy, passed gracefully on Dec. 18, with her loving husband, Gerald, at her bedside.

Patsy was born Nov. 18, 1945 to Benjamin Franklin Peacock and Clara Mae “Trammell” Peacock in Breckenridge, TX. 

She was preceded in death by her parents and four brothers; Billy Briscoe, Johnny Briscoe, Dean Peacock, George Peacock, and one sister Margaret Reagor.

Jim Martin, age 48 of Midland, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2018. A graveside service was held Saturday, Dec. 22 in the Albany Cemetery with Chuck Sheppard officiating. Interment followed under the direction of Morehart Mortuary. 

James Lynn Martin was born Nov. 11, 1970 to Jackie Martin and Patricia Rogers Martin in Abilene, Texas. 

He attended school in Albany and graduated from Albany High School. After graduation, Jim attended Western Texas College in Snyder for two years.