By Sam Waller

Albany’s Cub Scout Pack 255 will hold its annual Pinewood Derby at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 24 at the Scout Hut.

Scouts from Tiger through Webelos are eligible to compete with cars carved from a standard pine block.

“We pick up the kits with the rules inside them from the Abilene Scout office and give them to the kids,” Cubmaster Jacey Shack said. “The kits include instructions on how to build them, what they should weigh and all the other rules. The Cubs show up on race day and have to weigh their cars in.”

By Sam Waller

Project Graduation fundraising hit a bump last week when a planned bake sale was postponed because of illness sweeping through the Albany High School senior class, but other projects are on track, according to organizer Kenzie Fairchild.

Orders for the Valentine’s Sale will be taken through Jan. 31, Fair­child said, while a chicken spaghetti takeout lunch is still planned for Jan. 30. Lunches will be served to go from 11:30 a.m. until sold out at The Feed Store. There is no set charge for the meals, but donations will be accepted.

By Melinda L. Luca

A blood drive is scheduled to take place in Albany next Thursday, Jan. 27.

Hendrick Regional Blood Center will park its bloodmobile at First Baptist Church at the usual time from 1:00 until 6:00 p.m.

The blood center depends on volunteer blood donors to supply 100 percent of the blood that is used for patient care at 17 area hospitals.

Blood center officials said that there is an urgent need of blood donors of all types. In particular, officials said those who have O+ and O- are needed.

By Sam Waller

Girls from eighth grade through high school can attend the FCA’s Weekend of Champions camp Jan. 29-30 at Solid Rock Encampment near Eastland.

A boys’ camp is scheduled there Feb. 18-20.

The girls’ camp is designed to equip young ladies with truth, encouragement, and fellowship, according to Betsy Spraberry, who helps with local FCA events. FCA membership is not a requirement to attend the program.

The Albany Independent School district will be closed on Friday, Jan. 21 to enable students to attend the local stock show.

Teachers and staff will have a comp day on Friday.

Classes will resume at the normal times on Monday, Jan. 24.

The next student holiday at AISD will be on Monday, Feb. 21 with a staff development day scheduled for faculty members.

Classes will dismiss early on Friday, March 11, and Spring Break is set for March 14-18.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Two Albany High Schools students participated in two days of rehearsals for the All-Region Band last week, which culminated in concert performances on Saturday afternoon.

Sophomores Ashley Sanchez and Trinity McBee both earned seats on one of three All-Region bands during tryouts held in December; however, McBee was unable to attend last week due to illness.

Fortunately, another Albany sophomore, Chey’Anne Weaver, was able to move up as second alternate to participate in the event.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The 2022 UIL season for high school will start soon, with a contingent of Albany students entered in a practice meet hosted by Haskell this weekend despite a conflict with the local stock show.

However, because the host school has been closed all week due to COVID cases, the meet could be postponed until Jan. 29, according to UIL director Rick Davis.

Albany will also attend a second practice meet in Stamford on Feb. 26, followed by the district meet on March 24 in Hawley.

By Sam Waller

The Texas Compulsory Attendance Law which mandates that students attend a minimum number of minutes each semester to receive credit for courses taken, and parents and students are reminded of the importance of school attendance.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The newly organized “Albany Live,” a group dedicated to bringing monthly live musical performances to the Aztec Theater in Albany, is currently selling tickets to the second artist in their singer/songwriter series.

Tickets to attend the Chris Knight show on Saturday, Feb. 5 are now available on the group’s website: www.albanylive.org. Prices are $50 for general admission and $75 for reserved seating in the front two rows.

By Melinda L. Lucas

With just a little over a week left before the official deadline, a large percentage of the county-wide tax levies will be collected in the next few days.

Taxes assessed during 2021 are officially due on Monday, Jan. 31.

Taxpayers have the option of mailing in their payment as well as coming inside. However, if anyone is concerned about COVID exposure, they can use the drop box (to the left of the main door), mail, or go to to the SCAD website (shackelfordcad.com) for online payments.