By Sandy Morris

There is one month left in the annual Albany Chest campaign and many more contributions are needed in order to meet the 2020 fundraising goal of $41,000. 

The goal was set by the directors at the start of the campaign after they reviewed the submitted funding requests from 25 organizations. 

Local residents are reminded that everyone is asked to give what they can, even if they cannot contribute large amounts.

By Sandy Morris

Pick-up dates for the December distribution of the commodity food program are Dec. 3 and 4.

On Thursday, Dec. 3, certified eligible families in Moran should pick up their monthly commodity food at the Moran City Hall between 9:00 and 11:00 a.m.

Albany families who have been certified eligible for the December food distribution program can pick up their commodity food Friday, Dec. 4 at the rear door of the JP office (the former county jail) from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. 

Shackelford County residents are reminded to get pecan or pecan food show show entries in to Extension Agent Kloey Painter or the Taylor County Expo Center by 4:00 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 30.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Although numbers from the Texas Department of State Health Services continue to lag with no new Shackelford County cases officially reported as of Monday and only three active, there has been a perceived rise in the local COVID case count over the past couple of weeks.

By Sandy Walker

The holiday season is officially underway under the coordination of the Albany Chamber of Commerce. 

Albany Bucks

Shoppers can start earning tickets for Albany Bucks by shopping at any downtown or locally owned merchant. Every $10 spent in a local, non-chain business earns the shopper one ticket. 

Tickets also can be purchased at the Chamber office for $5 each. 

By Sandy Morris

Regular travelers on Texas Hwy. 6 heading south of Albany toward the Shackelford-Eastland county line have noticed the beginning of road construction.

According to Texas Department of Transportation Public Information Officer Tanya Brown, the contractor recently began the milling and paving operation to the portion of Hwy. 6 that will be repaved.

The section of road being re-worked runs south of Albany to the Eastland county line. 

A Monday, Nov. 23 deadline has been set for the Nov. 26 edition of The Albany News due to the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday.

All news articles and advertising must be received no later than noon on Monday, Nov. 23. 

“The timetable for mailing is actually what is driving our schedule,” said Melinda Lucas, News editor. “Because the post office is going to be closed on Thursday, we need to be able to mail on Wednesday, so we have to back the printing up to Tuesday night.”

By Sandy Morris

Republic Services, trash pickup contractor for the City of Albany, will run on a slightly different schedule for the week of Thanksgiving.

Residential trash containers and business and industrial containers normally picked up on Thursday will change to Friday next week. 

Normal Friday residential service will be on Saturday. Normal Friday business small containers will be picked up on either Friday or Saturday. Industrial containers will be picked up as normal, except on Thanksgiving.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Two incumbent board members, Myra Hise and Chris Beard, along with newcomer John Peterson, were sworn in for terms that will probably end up being about a year and a half because the usual May election was postponed until November due to COVID concerns.

Janna Ledbetter, who was also reelected earlier this month, was unable to attend Monday’s meeting and will be sworn in at a later date.

By Melinda L. Lucas

After canvassing and approving the delayed board election more than a week ago, Albany ISD’s trustees reelected the same slate of officers to serve until the next election, which is expected to be held as usual in May.

Robert Montgomery will continue to serve as president of the board, while Kelly Head was reelected as vice president and Kalico Leech as secretary. 

The board also approved a number of basically routine resolutions and action items, most of them required as part of various audits conducted throughout the year.