By Sandy Morris Plans are in place for the Hereford Ball set for Saturday, Feb. 27 at the Whitney Theater, with Chamber of Commerce members given first opportunity to buy tickets.  “All advertising tables are sold for the Hereford Ball,” said Jones.

By Sandy Morris Filing has now opened to any local residents who want to run for the various city council, hospital district, or school board positions in the Saturday, May 1 election. Filing is underway as of Wednesday and will close in one month on Friday, Feb. 12 at 5:00 p.m.

By Melinda L. Lucas Albany city council members awarded the administrative contract related to a Community Development Block Grant application to Public Management of Cleveland during a regular monthly meeting on Monday night, Jan. 11.

By Sandy Morris Old Man Winter made his presence known this past weekend when he blew into the area on Sunday, Jan. 10 and dumped as much as eight inches of snow in some parts of the Big Country.

By Melinda L. Lucas The much-anticipated coronavirus vaccine has still not made its way to Albany, but some Shackelford County citizens are finding a path to outside sources.

By Sandy Morris The Moran Independent School District resumed classes after the holiday break on Monday, Jan. 4. The next scheduled holiday for the district is Martin Luther King Day on Monday, Jan. 18 followed by Friday, Jan. 22 for the Shackelford County Livestock Show.

By Sandy Morris Licensed hunters ages 16 years and younger have opportunities this winter and spring to sharpen their skills and bring home some whitetail and turkey trophies, and adult hunters still have time to harvest wild game.  Dove season ended Sunday, Jan.

By Sandy Morris The Big Country chapter of Fellowship of Christian Athletes typically hosts its annual Weekend of Champions over full weekends each January.

By Donnie A. Lucas The junior high basketball teams will be back in action for the first time since the Christmas break on Thursday. The Cubs will host Abilene Christian School starting at 5:30 p.m., while the girls will play ACS in Abilene, also beginning at 5:30 p.m.

By Donnie A. Lucas Local fifth and sixth graders who signed up for local youth basketball teams have started practicing in preparation for the first tournament on Saturday, Jan. 9.