The annual Albany Chest campaign is in full swing with half of the money requested already donated to the charitable fund, but just a short six weeks left to finish the drive. 

Directors set a goal of $42,000 for the 2018 campaign, and this Tuesday morning, treasurer Paige Adair reported that $21,432 had been raised so far. The committee still needs to receive another $20,568 to hit the targeted amount.

Twenty-six different organizations, including two new applicants, submitted requests for this year’s funding, all of which were considered by the board.

The local prom dress ministry has moved to a new home at First Christian Church and will be directed by Tammy McBee.

“Lori Reames from Closet Angels called and asked me if I would take over this ministry so it could continue to be a blessing for the community, and offer it a new home,” said McBee. “I asked the Church, and they said, ‘Of course!’ And they figured out a room that we could use for the dresses.”

Two Shackelford County 4-H members are competing in the District 7 Food Show today, Nov. 15, in Abilene.

Johnnie Hise of Moran is competing in the Senior Main Dish category, and Riley Reames of Albany has entered the Intermediate Main Dish category, according to County Extension Agent Michaela Bradford.

The contest is being held in the Big Country Hall at the Taylor County Expo Center. 

The City of Moran Volunteer Fire Department is holding a bake sale this Sunday, Nov. 18, from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. at the Moran Community Center.

“If you don’t feel like baking this year, come and get some goodies for your family’s Thanksgiving meal,” said organizer Michelle Taggart. “We will even bring it to you.”

For more information or to request a delivery, contact Taggart by replying to her post on the City of Moran Facebook page. 

Several members of the Albany FFA Chapter competed at the Big Country District’s Leadership Development Events on Monday, Nov. 12 at Cisco College.

Seth Hale made up the Albany entry that placed fourth high team in Job Interview.

The team of Aspen Box, Kamryn Browning, and Susan Cormack placed sixth in Radio Broadcasting.

Alayna Koemel competed in Senior Creed Speaking, earning sixth place for the Albany team.

Albany’s Greenhand Quiz team placed 10th in district. The team members were Aspen Box, Tyler Everitt, Clara Holson, and Luke Ivy.

Stock show swine projects need to validated next week, and the Shackelford County validation committee, which includes ag instructor Chris Beard, county extension agent Michaela Bradford, and two local representatives from the Shackelford County Youth and Livestock Association will be at the Albany High School ag farm on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings, Nov. 13 and 14, and will work as a mobile unit, traveling across the county on the afternoons of Tuesday, Nov. 13 and Wednesday, Nov. 14.

An early deadline has been set for the Nov. 22 edition of The Albany News due to the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday.

All advertising and news copy must be received no later than noon on Monday, Nov. 19. 

The usual deadline for the weekly paper is Tuesday at 12:00 noon. It is being moved up a day in order to adjust the mailing schedule.

The 1980 romantic drama Urban Cowboy will be shown at the Aztec Theater this Saturday, Nov. 10 as the final movie of the 2018 Aztec Reel Deal movie series for season ticket holders, or for $6 per ticket for those that prefer to pick and choose which movies to attend.

Music, shopping, drawings for Albany Bucks, caroling, hot food, and a lighted parade are just part of the plans for the afternoon and evening of Saturday, Nov. 24 in downtown Albany. 

“Special activities will start with live music downtown at 4:00 p.m.,” said Albany Chamber of Commerce office manager Mary Beth Jones. “If you are willing to sing a Christmas song or two, please call me at 325-762-2525. We are hoping to have a variety of singers.”

Matt Stapp will be on stage from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m.

Chili Supper

The city of Albany will receive a sales tax allotment of $56,730 from the state this October. The amount is down 15.54 percent from the $67,174 payment received in October of 2017.

Payments to date for the 2018 year to the city of Albany are $445,471, down by 2.28 percent from the comparable time last year, when payments of $455,873 had been made.

The city of Moran will receive a net payment of $1,411 this period, for a 17.33 percent increase from the $1,203 received in October 2017.