By Sandy Morris The deadline to apply for a Christmas basket from the Albany Ministerial Alliance has passed, and now the process of preparing the deliveries begins.  Applications were due by Dec. 1, but county citizens can still apply.

By Melinda L. Lucas Despite ongoing coronavirus restrictions, blood is still needed, and a blood drive is scheduled to take place in Albany next Thursday afternoon, Dec. 10.

By Sandy Morris The Christmas season is typically an extremely busy time of year for the United States Postal Service, and this year already promises to be busier than previous years.

By Sandy Morris The deadline to apply for a $100 Brookshire’s gift card courtesy of the CARES Act is fast approaching.

By Melinda L.

By Sandy Morris After much discussion and research, Albany city officials have finalized plans to use the remaining funds of the CARES Act allocation, with $100 grocery gift cards to be distributed to local residents and city employees on Saturday, Dec. 5.

Republic Services, Albany’s trash pickup contractor, 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.

By Sandy Morris While the days of poring over a catalog of Christmas toys are long gone, children are still making lists for Santa. The Albany News will be printing Santa letters and holiday essays in the Christmas issue to be published on Thursday, Dec. 24.

By Sandy Morris The Chamber of Commerce will not hold a weekly luncheon on Friday, Nov. 27 because of the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, according to Chamber manager Mary Beth Jones. Also, the Shackelford County Library will be closed on Thursday and Friday, Nov. 26-27 due to the holiday.

By Sandy Morris Seven local 4-H members competed at the District 7 Food Show on Thursday, Nov. 19 in the Big Country Hall located at the Taylor County Expo Center in Abilene.