By Sam WallerAlbany’s chapter of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes will participate in the annual Fields of Faith program Wednesday, Oct. 12, at Graham’s Newton Field.The event is one of seven put on by the Big Country FCA.

First Christian Church will celebrate a Blessing of the Animals service on Saturday, Oct. 8 at 10:00 a.m. on the south side lawn of the church.“Everyone is welcome to bring their furry friends for a word of blessing at this short and meaningful service,” said pastor Brad McBee.

By Sam WallerThe Albany NFL Flag Football League will have 102 players when the season kicks off Saturday, Oct. 1.The league will have 12 teams, four in each age division.

By Melinda L. LucasPick-up dates for the October distribution of the commodity food program will be Thursday, Oct. 6 and Friday, Oct. 7, with no restrictions.

By Melinda L. LucasThe Culpepper & Merriweather Circus, sponsored by the Albany Lions Club, will be in Albany in a little over a week, with two shows on Friday, Oct. 7.

By Sam WallerSue Breeden likes to bead, and judges at the West Texas Fair and Rodeo seem to like her work.For the fourth year in a row, Breeden earned a blue ribbon for winning her class in the Pinterest Division at the fair.“I enjoy doing it and probably will continue,” she said this week.

By Sam WallerMore than 20 people gathered in Shackelford County earlier this month for the Women of the Land  dove hunt sponsored by the Texas Wildlife Association.The event was held Friday, Sept. 16 through Sunday, Sept. 18, with attendees staying at the missile silo south of Albany.

By Melinda L. LucasIn addition to a school safety report from Albany ISD superintendent Jonathan Scott, AISD trustees also heard the 2021-2022 financial review during a meeting on Monday, Sept. 19, but approval of the audit is delayed until the October session at the earliest.

By Melinda L. LucasAfter about 90 minutes of further work on the 2023 budget during a Sept. 19 meeting, Shackelford County Hospital District board members approved combined expenditures of $3,994,467 for the district administration, EMS, health clinic, and pharmacy.

By Melinda L. LucasEntire families are invited to celebrate the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival this Saturday, Sept. 24 at the Old Jail Art Center.Starting at 1:00 p.m.