By Sam Waller
Neighbors in Need will soon be known as the Local Exchange as the ministry looks to streamline operations.
“For now, the name change is just for Neighbors in Need,” Lori Reames, director of Closet Angels, said. “However, the new phone number we have is also for Closet Angels.”
The new number for both ministries is 325-762-0335.
By Donnie A. Lucas
Local senior citizens might get the “warm and fuzzies” more easily this winter thanks to a blanket drive organized by a local resident and being facilitated by First Baptist Church.
FBC member Stephen Gleitz formulated the plan to “Cover Our Seniors,” collecting new blankets to be handed out throughout the community in time for the onset of winter.
Gleitz, who is a Director of Critical Care Services at Hendrick Medical Center, organized the drive as a community service project needed to complete his Masters in Nursing Administration this fall.
By Donnie A. Lucas
Mixed in with traditional trick or treat youngsters on Sunday evening will be the Albany Jr./Sr. High Student Council members seeking donations to the Albany Chest with their annual Trick-or-Treat For Change Project.
The council will be divided into groups and canvass the town dressed in their Halloween best hoping for donations to assist the Albany Chest raise its goal of $46,000 this year.
In the past, the council has typically has raise from $800 to $1,000 with the event.
The event was cancelled last year due to the COVID pandemic.
By Donnie A. Lucas
The final Fifth Quarter after-game fellowship will be hosted by First Baptist Church on Friday following the Albany vs. Santo football game, but where it will be held depends on the wind.
If winds are calm enough, the gathering for all junior high and high school students will be at the home of Ricky and DeVona Davis on Highway 6.
By Melinda L. Lucas
With the 2021 “Red Ribbon Week” campaign winding down, organizers still have quite a bit more planned for local students on Thursday and Friday.
Red Ribbon Week in Albany this year began on Monday, Oct. 25. The annual campaign is recognized not only locally but across the nation.
This is the 33rd straight year that the event has been conducted in Albany. The campaign is designed to draw as much attention as possible to the problems of drug and alcohol abuse, some of the leading causes of drug abuse, and its prevention.
By Sam Waller
Albany FFA member Kenzie Neve placed third with her Class 2 Market Steer earlier this month at the American Royal Livestock Show in Kansas City, Missouri.
“This show has grown to become one of the most prestigious livestock shows in the nation while striving to impact the future of agriculture by providing educational experiences and scholarships,” said Albany FFA sponsor and high school ag teacher Chris Beard.
Neve was the only Shackelford County student who made the long trip to the national show.
By Donnie A. Lucas
While traditional trick-or-treating will be held on Sunday evening, Oct. 31, local merchants and businesses will once again be handing out candy to local youth on Saturday afternoon, Oct. 30.
Participating businesses will be set up mostly in the main block of downtown from 2:30 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. on Saturday to hand out candy and treats to local students and preschoolers donning their spooky or cute Halloween attire.
By Melinda L. Lucas
About 25,000 tax statements are being mailed this week, as local property owners find out what they will owe in taxes for this year.
Chief appraiser Clayton Snyder at the Shackelford County Appraisal District (CAD) office stated that tax rates for all eight taxing entities have been entered and calculations completed.
Snyder reminded local taxpayers that if they receive multiple statements, the documents may arrive on different days.
By Melinda L. Lucas
Early voting for the Nov. 5 amendment election will end tomorrow, and registered voters who have not already cast their ballots are encouraged to participate in early voting this week or to vote on Election Day next Tuesday, Nov. 2.
At deadline time on Tuesday afternoon, there had been only 38 ballots cast compared with 660 at the same time last year during a presidential election.
By Sam Waller
Twenty-eight organizations have applied for funding from the Albany Chest.
Groups ranging from pre-school to senior citizens have submitted requests totaling more than $56,000. The goal, however, has been set at $46,000, with a little over $10,000 contributed so far.
In each issue during the next few weeks, a brief look at two or three benefitting organizations will give prospective donors an idea of their activities.
First Love Day Care
First Love Day Care is a self-contained organization located at First Baptist Church.
