By Sam Waller

Fourth grade students from Nancy Smith Elementary School attended a special performance of “The Nutcracker” put on by Abilene Ballet Theatre on Friday, Nov. 18 at Abilene’s historic Paramount Theater.

Fourth grade teacher Melissa Fields said 40 students traveled to the event for the first time in two years.

“Last year, the performances were only open to families rather than school classes because of COVID,” Fields said.

And the pandemic completedly cancelled the performances for everyone in 2020.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Trash collection 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 this week.

Other residential and industrial containers will be picked up on their regular days, except on Thanksgiving.

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By Donnie A. Lucas

No new COVID-19 cases were reported last week for the first time in several months, based on information provided by Albany’s two health clinics.

The weekly report by county judge Bob Skelton issued Monday reported eight tests administered at the two local clinics for the period of Nov. 14 through Nov. 18, with no positive results.

There were four positive cases out of nine tests for the week of Nov. 7-11.

Testing continues to be available locally at the Shackelford County Health Clinic and ResourceCare Community Health Center.

By Sam Waller

Shackelford County 4-H member Gage Burton placed first in Junior Division Main Dish on Thursday, Nov. 17, at the District 7 Food Show held at Taylor County Expo Center in Abilene.

Shackelford County 4-H had five club members qualify from the county level, four of them in the Junior Division. Maggie Spraberry was fifth in Appetizer, with Kimberly Howe fifth in Healthy Dessert. Also competing were Artie Bell in Side Dish and James Hise in Intermediate Healthy Dessert.

By Sam Waller

Albany Lions fans will want to avoid loading up on too much Thanksgiving turkey in order to attend this week’s community pep rally.

The event is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 24 (tonight) at the Bank Park.

The Lions will play Wink at 5:00 p.m. Friday in a Class 2A Division II regional playoff at San Angelo Stadium.

Booster Club member Amanda Tabor said attendance has been good for the first two rounds of the playoffs, which saw Albany defeat Eldorado and Muenster.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Albany city council members approved a petition from the city’s Economic Development Corporation (EDC) to purchase just under 14 acres of property on the east side of the community during an hour-long monthly session on Monday, Nov. 14.

The council also agreed to lease the last existing space for a hangar at the airport and set new speed limit restrictions for the Clarke Estates and the east end of South First Street.

Property Purchase

By Donnie A. Lucas

The Aztec Theater is hosting a night of music performed by local residents entitled “Seasons of Love” on Saturday, Nov. 19, with all proceeds benefiting the venue.

Tickets will only be available at the door for $15, payable by cash or check. Credit cards will not be accepted.

The show will start at 7:30 p.m. with Pam Davis narrating.

Organizer Sandy Abel said about a dozen local singers – most of whom have participated in previous fundraising events – will sing a variety of songs with a love theme.

By Melinda L. Lucas

A Monday, Nov. 21 deadline has been set for the Nov. 24 edition of The Albany News due to the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday.

All news articles and advertising, including classi­fied ads, must be received no later than 10:00 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 21.

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

Republic Services, the garbage collection contractor for Albany, will alter its schedule next week for the Thanksgiving holiday.

Residential trash containers and industrial containers normally picked up on Thursday, Nov. 24 will change to Friday, Nov. 25.

Tuesday collection will run as normal for the week of Thanksgiving.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The Christmas shopping season started this week in Albany with participating merchants handing out entry tickets for drawings to be held on Saturday, Nov. 26.

Sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce, the drawings for a total of $2,500 in Albany Bucks will be held during a series of three drawings set for 4:00 p.m., 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. on Nov. 26.