By Sandy Morris Tonight is Chrismas Eve and several local churches have announced their traditional Christmas services scheduled for the holiday. First Christian  First Christian Church will hold its traditional Christmas Eve candlelight communion service at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 24.

By Sandy Morris With the help of a good number of volunteers and generous donors, the Christmas meal needs of 116 Albany and Moran families were met when the Albany Ministerial Alliance distributed its annual Christmas food baskets on Sunday, Dec. 13.

By Sandy Morris With activities such as the Christmas band concert, elementary parties, and semester finals bringing the first semester to an end, Albany ISD students and staff are now in the midst of a two-week Christmas break. Students at both campuses will be back in class on Tuesday, Jan.

By Sandy Morris Christmas is here and with the generous help of donors, several local organizations have been able to make sure Christmas is merry and bright for everyone in Shackelford County.

The Callahan-Shackelford County Farm Bureau Board of Directors voted unanimously to make contributions totaling $7,500 to charitable organizations as 2020 draws to a close. The Board recognizes the importance of our elderly receiving healthful foods during these challenging economic times.

By Sandy Morris The Albany Chamber of Commerce put the wraps on a successful holiday season this week. Decorating Contest A new event sponsored by the Chamber this year was the Holiday House Decorating Contest.

By Sandy Morris There is one week left in 2020, which means there is only one week left to make a donation to the annual Albany Chest campaign.  Despite last week’s jump to hit the 50 percent mark, contributions are still needed in order to meet the 2020 fundraising goal of $41,000.

News readers and advertisers are asked to be aware that no newspaper will be published, either in print or online, during the week of New Year’s. “There will not be an edition on Thursday, Dec. 31,” said News editor Melinda Lucas.

By Sandy Morris Christmas is here, and as they have for the past 11 years, volunteers from Matthews Memorial Presbyterian Church will make sure that no one in Albany misses out on the chance to enjoy a holiday meal on Christmas Day.

By Sandy Morris Veterans buried in the Albany Cemetery were honored during a wreath-laying ceremony held last Saturday morning, with a large group of volunteers and family members on hand to help place a total of 531 wreaths.