Dan Edward Chambers, 75, of Abilene, formerly of Albany, died Friday, Dec. 27, 2019 in an Abilene nursing home. No services are planned at this time.

Dan was born July 19, 1944 in Lueders to Aubrey and Margie (Davis) Chambers. He attended Lueders/Avoca High School. He worked in the oilfield as a pumper for many years. 

He later moved to Albany where he was a Deacon at the Albany Church of Christ and a volunteer for the Albany Volunteer Fire Department for many years.   

Rodney Alexander, age 51 of Albany, passed away Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2019. Graveside funeral services were held Saturday, Jan. 4 at the Albany Cemetery with Pastor Paul Johnston officiating. Interment followed under the direction of Morehart Mortuary.

Rodney Lee Alexander was born on April 18, 1968 in Long Beach, California to parents, Marshall Alexander and Linda Harris Alexander. He grew up in Albany, graduating from Albany High School in 1987. 

By Donnie A. Lucas

Donations picked up over the last two weeks to fund the annual Shackelford County Youth and Livestock Show but more are needed with the show  set to open in just three weeks on Jan. 23-25.

The association’s treasurer, Molly Cauble, reported Monday that just under $14,000 had been received to fund the event.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The Lady Lions won a pair of games in the week before the Christmas break and have played several matches during the last week as basketball action resumed.

Albany hosted a four-team tournament last week, winning two out of three rounds as they continue to prepare for the opening of district.

The varsity was on the road to Goldthwaite on Monday, suffering a hard-fought 48-41 loss. Details will be reported next week due to an early deadline.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The Lion basketball teams closed out the fall semester with a set of games in Comanche on Dec. 20, with the varsity falling short while the two JV squads posted victories.

The varsity will host six other area teams in a two-day tournament on Friday and Saturday, with games starting at 10:00 a.m. on both days. 

Albany will play Winters on Friday in the first game, followed by a 12:40 p.m. match against San Saba.

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 of the season on Jan. 11.

According to coach and league coordinator Clint Chapman, 37 students signed up for the four teams designated for fifth and sixth grade boys and girls.

“The teams have already started practicing, so we will not be able to take any late registrations since those kids would already be too far behind,” Chapman said.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Over a dozen volunteers gathered on Christmas Day to prepare about 100 lunches for local residents during the Matthews Memorial Presbyterian Church’s 11th annual Christmas Feast.

Several Christmas meals were served to local residents who came to the church’s fellowship hall, but most were boxed and delivered by church members to the people on the Vittles by Vehicle list.

Take-out plates were provided for other members of the community who called in requests.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Students and staff of Albany Junior-Senior High School and Nancy Smith Elementary School will be back in class on Tuesday, Jan. 7 to start the second semester and the fourth sixth weeks of the 2019-2020 school year. 

Teachers return for a staff development day at 8:30 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 6. 

A blood drive is scheduled to take place in Albany Thursday afternoon, Jan. 2.

Hendrick Regional Blood Center (formerly Meek Blood Center) will park its bloodmobile at First Baptist Church from 1:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. 

The blood center depends on volunteer blood donors to supply 100 percent of the blood that is used for patient care at 17 area hospitals. 

The Kiwanis Club blood drives are scheduled roughly every eight weeks throughout the year. The next one should be in mid-March.

With last week’s usual Chamber of Commerce luncheon cancelled because of the holidays, the weekly event will be back on the calendar for this Friday, Jan. 3, according to Chamber manager Mary Beth Jones.

The 12:00 noon meetings move to The Beehive Restaurant for January and February.