In the days leading up to Christmas, Albany is normally quiet aside from last-minute shopping and church services. This year, however, the town found itself in the middle of a 10-day kidnapping spree involving an inflatable Christmas cow named Kyle. What began as a lighthearted idea from Molly Cauble and her family, inspired by a TikTok trend, quickly grew into a full-blown crime saga that will be talked about in Albany for years to come.

Construction activity continues to ramp up at the site of the planned Vantage Data Centers “Frontier” campus in Shackelford County, drawing increased attention from local residents as work progresses on one of the largest developments ever announced in the area.

The Aztec Theater will launch a new concert series this Friday as Goodnight Steakhouse and Saloon presents The Aztec Sessions.

The series is intended to bring a regular schedule of live music to downtown Albany, using the historic Aztec Theater as its home. Goodnight Steakhouse has long supported live music through its dancehall shows and weekly Pickin’ Party, and organizers say the strong response to those events led to plans for larger concerts at the theater. A cash bar will be available inside the venue with the purchase of an event cup.

More than 100 volunteers of all ages came together Saturday, Dec. 13, at the Albany Cemetery to honor local veterans during the sixth annual National Wreaths Across America Day, placing wreaths on 610 graves and identifying four additional veteran graves during the event.

One of those graves is now the oldest veteran, pre-dating the two Civil War veterans that were previously identified. Greenham Crowder, who died around the time of the Civil War, fought in the Texas Militia and served as a Texas Ranger.