By Donnie A. LucasEarly voting started on Monday for the March 1 primary elections, with about 24 voters showing up at the Courthouse first floor lobby on the first day alone to mark their ballots.In-person early voting will continue at the Courthouse through Friday, Feb. 25.

By Donnie A. LucasAfter being postponed for a couple of years due to the pandemic, the Old Jail Art Center will finally get to celebrate 40 years of collecting with a gala that will also mark the opening of three new exhibitions for the spring.

By Sam WallerThe final day of Albany’s youth basketball season and the opening of the Little Dribblers season, both scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 5, were postponed a week because of last week’s winter storm.The fifth and sixth grade boys and girls teams will now wrap up their schedules Saturday, Feb.

Registration for Albany Little League has been extended two weeks to Feb. 25, according to league organizer Paul Hamilton.Sign-up for Minor, Major, Intermediate, and Junior leagues is being conducted online at www.albanytxll.com.

By Donnie A. LucasThe Chris Knight concert set for last Saturday at the Aztec Theater was postponed by the artist due to weather conditions.

By Melinda L. LucasDespite last Saturday’s weather-triggered cancellation of a family festival, the Old Jail Art Center has a lot going on this month and on into March.

The Big Country Fellowship of Christian Athletes’ Weekend of Champions for area boys is set for Feb. 18-20 at Eastland’s Solid Rock Encampment.FCA organizer Paul Johnston of Albany invites all boys from eighth grade through high school to attend the event.

By Sam WallerFirst Baptist Church has scheduled two events focusing on youth in the coming month.The church will conduct a youth revival Friday-Saturday, Feb. 18-19, and a volleyball tournament on Saturday, March 12, according to youth minister Eduardo San Lucas.

By Sam WallerFirst Baptist Church has scheduled two events focusing on youth in the coming month.The church will conduct a youth revival Friday-Saturday, Feb. 18-19, and a volleyball tournament on Saturday, March 12, according to youth minister Eduardo San Lucas.

By Donnie A. LucasRehearsals for Albany high’s one-act play started this week in preparation for the district contest set for March 9.Tryouts were held last week by Chanel Hayner, who is serving as the director after transferring as a teacher at the secondary campus.