readers and advertisers are reminded that therewillbenopaperpublished on Dec. 26.

Final deliveries for this year’s Toys for Tots campaign are being made this week with pickup of gifts scheduled for next week. The Toys for Tots program provides gifts for Albany children from infants through sixth grade.

Moran junior high and elementary students exhibited their skills over the last week in district UIL academic contests. Junior high students competed Wednesday, Dec.

Lueders-Avoca 31-30 The Moran Bulldogs boys basketball team pickeduptheirsecondwin of the season last week, opening the Moran tournament Thursday, Dec. 5 with a 31-30 victory over Lueders-Avoca.

Parents and students in the Shackelford County Homeschool Co-op are hosting a Christmas party on Thursday, Dec. 19, with everyoneinthecommunity invited to attend.

The Christmas season is in full swing at the Old Jail Art Center, and the staff invites the community to join in the festivities with a special family event celebrating Italian Christmas traditions. This year’s annual Family Festival, titled Natale!, will take place on Saturday, December 21, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.

UTTING.

Shackelford County commissioners accepted proposed property tax abatement guidelines, decided on the dispersal of the county’s Capital Credit funds, and discussed the balanceofstimulusmonies. They also set the date of the annual county Christmas partyforMonday,Dec.

The Shackelford Youth and Livestock Association is ramping up preparations for the 2025 county livestock show, scheduled for Thursday-Saturday, Jan 16-18. Association president Bronco Askew said a planning meeting will be held as soon as details can be worked out.

The Shackelford County 4-H Club completed a pair of community service projects Sunday, Dec. 8 at its final meeting of 2024.