By Sam WallerThe Albany Lions are on the cusp of clinching a spot in the boys basketball playoffs after sweeping their District 10-2A games last week against Haskell and Hamlin.Entering an open date on Tuesday, Jan.

By Sam WallerProject Graduation will offer babysitting services on Saturday, Feb. 11 as a fundraiser for the Albany High School Class of 2023.Project Graduation organizer Amanda Tabor said care will be provided for children from potty trained to 10 years old from 6:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

By Donnie A. LucasThe election of board members and officers will be the main items of business at the Friday, Feb. 3 luncheon of the Albany Chamber of Commerce.All Chamber members are invited to attend the annual meeting to fill four places on the board of directors for a three-year term.

By Sam WallerFour Shackelford County 4-H teams placed in the District 7 Food Challenge, held Wednesday, Jan. 25 at San Angelo.“The day went great,” Shackelford County extension agent Kelsey Bell said. “A couple of those teams were all new to this, had never done it before, and they did great.

By Melinda L. LucasEven though the Albany Chest fell short of its $47,000 goal by $5,000, the board gave away well over that amount at a brief meeting on Jan. 25.

By Melinda L. LucasBecause of winter weather, the pick-up dates for the February distribution of the commodity food program are being pushed back a week to Thursday, Feb. 9 and Friday, Feb. 10, according to Justice of the Peace James Breeden, who coordinates the program.

By Melinda L. LucasAn Albany blood drive is set for tomorrow, Feb. 3.Hendrick Regional Blood Center will park the bloodmobile at First Baptist Church at the usual time from 1:00 to 6:00 p.m.Local donors are reminded that drives will be held on Fridays this year rather Thursdays.

By Melinda L. LucasWeather permitting, the staff at the Old Jail Art Center will welcome families into the Stasney Center on Saturday, Feb. 4 for a three-hour celebration of the New Year of the Trees, known as Tu BiShvat.Starting at 1:00 p.

By Melinda L. LucasBecause of bad weather, the deadline for taxes assessed during 2022 will not be delinquent until Feb. 3.Instead of Jan. 31, the deadline for payment is now Thursday, Feb. 2, according to Shackelford County chief appraiser Clayton Snyder.Payments made in person at 132 Hill St.

By Donnie A. LucasAfter a final weekend that well may have broken all records during a 40-year run, the doors on an Albany institution – Fort Griffin General Merchandise Restaurant and Beehive Saloon – swung shut for the final time Saturday.