Table-top Christmas trees sporting bright ornaments greeted parishioners in seven local churches this past Sunday, and between them, the seven trees included the anonymous wish lists of each of the 36 teens enrolled in the Ministerial Alliance’s new “Believe Trees” program.

The local Toys for Tots program is still accepting donations of new, unwrapped toys and monetary donations at various donations sites around Albany, but according to ResourceCare case worker Makenzie Marshall right now the greater need is for people to adopt the seniors in the Vittles by Vehicle...

The fifth grade class from Nancy Smith Elementary School attended Camp Grady Spruce, an outdoor educational camp on Possum Kingdom Lake, immediately after the Thanksgiving holidays.

Twenty-six of the 29 Albany High seniors qualified to attend the upcoming annual College Pie Party that counselor Dee Dee Waggoner arranges every year to reward students that submit a college application early in their graduating year.

Twenty-one sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students from the Albany Independent School District are competing at a UIL contest in Stamford on Thursday, Dec. 6, along with youth from Haskell, Hawley, Cross Plains, and Roscoe.

The youth of Beltway East Student Ministry hosted its annual Legacy Dinner on Dec. 5 at the Beltway East Student Ministry building.  The invited guests were treated to a full holiday spread including turkey, ham, and the works, according to sponsor Lorna Ayers.

A group of local youth is planning a ski trip to Crested Butte, Colorado and participants are hoping to raise some funds with a Christmas Fiesta dinner. The meal will be served at The Feed Store this Sunday, Dec. 9, at 6:30 p.m.

The adult choir for the Albany Nativity can still use a few more voices, according to choir director Sandy Abel. “We could use some more people,” Abel. “It is not too late! There are not that many pieces to learn, and some of them are carols that most people are familiar with.

The Albany Volunteer Fire Department honored member Joel Viertel with the 2018 Firefighter of the Year merit award at the annual Christmas party and meeting on Monday, Dec. 3.

Only three weeks remain before the end of the annual Albany Chest campaign and the amount raised as of Monday, Dec. 3 was $25,107, according to treasurer Paige Adair, leaving the drive still $16,893 short of the $42,000 goal set by the directors for the 2018 campaign.