It’s time to break out the recipe cards and family secrets — The Albany News is cooking up this year’s Holiday Recipe section and we need your help to make it delicious. From cherished family desserts passed down through generations to new dishes you’ve perfected for the holiday table, every recipe tells a story. We want to celebrate those stories and the cooks behind them.

This year’s recipes will appear in the regular newspaper instead of in a separate section.

The Shackelford County Commissioners Court approved a new set of regulations Monday morning establishing minimum standards for recreational vehicle parks throughout the county. The decision comes less than two weeks after the City of Albany adopted its own RV park ordinance on October 13, signaling a coordinated effort to manage fast-moving growth tied to regional construction and workforce housing.

When rain threatened to wash out Friday night football last week, Albany and Cross Plains coaches scrambled to reschedule. What started as a simple forecast adjustment quickly turned into a community effort—complete with makeshift referees, borrowed shirts, and a few laughs along the way.

On Wednesday morning, Albany head coach Denney Faith and Cross Plains coach Jared Sanderson agreed to move the varsity game to Thursday night and the junior high and JV games to Wednesday to beat the approaching storms. The only hitch: no officials were available for the Wednesday matchups.

A Baird man who led law enforcement on a high-speed chase and sparked a large-scale manhunt through Albany in January has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison, while other charges related to the incident remain pending in Shackelford County.

Micheal Z. Haley, 38, of Baird, received the sentence after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm. The charge stems from a January 30 pursuit that began east of Abilene and ended with Haley’s arrest north of Albany following several hours of searching by law enforcement.

Early on the morning of Oct. 16, two Venezuelan nationals were arrested in Albany after an attempted theft from the Clear Fork Bank drive-through ATM. Deputies from the Shackelford County Sheriff’s Office responded within minutes after several concerned citizens called 911 to report suspicious activity at the bank.

Albany took center stage this past weekend when The Daytripper—the popular PBS travel series hosted by Chet Garner—featured the community in its latest episode. Filmed during the Fort Griffin Fandangle in June, the show premiered statewide on PBS over the weekend and debuted on YouTube Monday evening.

In the heart of Albany once stood a beacon of hospitality and modernity—the McLemore Hotel. Erected in 1926 by Ada McLemore, wife of Shackelford County pioneer ranchman Wade McLemore, this establishment was more than just a place to rest one’s head; it was a testament to ambition and progress in a burgeoning oil community.

The Albany Ragin’ Red Band received an overall Division II rating Monday, Oct. 20, at the UIL Region 6 Marching Contest at Shotwell Stadium in Abilene. 

The 40-member band, directed by Jessica Watkins with assistance from Riley Lusk, performed its 2025 show titled Ancient World, composed by Carol Brittin Chambers. The production explores the culture and music of the Byzantine Empire, featuring props that help bring the theme to life on the field.

Early on the morning of Oct. 16, multiple suspects attempted to rob the Clear Fork Bank drive-through ATM in Albany. According to local authorities, several individuals and vehicles were involved in the incident, which occurred before daylight hours.

Multiple concerned citizens contacted 911 after noticing suspicious activity at the bank, alerting law enforcement to the situation. Deputies from the Shackelford County Sheriff’s Office arrived within minutes and arrested two Venezuelan nationals. Additional individuals believed to be involved fled the area before officers arrived.

The Albany City Council approved a new ordinance Monday night establishing strict regulations for recreational vehicle parks within city limits, a move aimed at managing rapid growth and maintaining local standards as nearby development accelerates.