By Sandy Morris Matthews Memorial Presbyterian Church will present “La Posada” this Sunday, Dec. 13 at 6:00 p.m. starting at the Courthouse gazebo. La Posada is the re-enactment of the census pilgrimage to Bethlehem made by Mary and Joseph while in search of a room for the birth of Jesus.

By Sandy Morris The Christmas season is underway, and local churches are making adjustments to their traditional Christmas activities typically spread throughout the community.

By Sandy Morris The 12th annual Christmas Feast will be held Wednesday, Dec. 25 beginning at 11:30 a.m. at the Matthews Memorial Presbyterian Church fellowship hall and ending at 1:00 p.m.

By Sandy Morris  Albany ISD Junior High and Nancy Smith Elementary students have been competing in various UIL academic events over the last week through Tuesday, Dec. 8.  This year, all events were conducted locally with no outside audiences allowed.

By Sandy Morris Two Albany seniors, Sidney Bartee and Hannah Trail, have been identified as College Board National Recognition Program Scholars in the National Rural and Small Town Recognition Program.

By Sandy Morris National Wreaths Across America Day 2020 has been scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 19, and local residents have arranged a ceremony to honor service members buried in the Albany Cemetery.  A brief observance is set to begin at 11:00 a.m.

By Sandy Morris While nasty weather and COVID cancelled the Albany Chamber of Commerce’s annual Parade of Lights, shoppers were still able to knock out some holiday shopping and earn tickets to win Albany Bucks.

By Sandy Morris Last week, the Albany Chamber of Commerce made the difficult decision to cancel the annual Lighted Christmas Parade, along with all of the associated festivities, due to concerns over the increase in area COVID-19 cases.

By Melinda L. Lucas With 10 positive COVID tests reported by the Shackelford County Health Clinic during the first two days of this week and more symtomatic patients on site at press time Wednesday morning, Albany and Moran seem to be mirroring the national surge of coronavirus cases.

By Sandy Morris The December distribution of the commodity food program originally scheduled for today, Dec. 3 and tomorrow, Dec. 4 has been cancelled.