Good morning, San Angelo.

Walmart and The Salvation Army have teamed up in San Angelo to offer holiday programs that include Red Kettles, Angel Tree gifts, meal donations, and matching funds for shoppers donating in-store or online — programs that run through December 24.

Local volunteers can also join the effort to help ensure families receive meals and children get gifts this Christmas season.

Goodfellow AFB will host the annual Great Cookie Caper—designed for service members—on December 1st.

Kat Hasty, a West Texas singer, will host her Trailer Trash Christmas Bash on December 6 in San Angelo—promising a fun, upbeat concert for local fans.

Angelo State University’s Chemistry and Biochemistry Department has been awarded a record three-year $165,000 grant from the Welch Foundation to support faculty research and hands-on opportunities for students—$55,000 will be allocated each year to fund projects, scholarships and conference travel. The grant, the largest awarded by the foundation to date, strengthens the department's research capabilities and helps attract motivated STEM students.

At last Monday's board meeting, Comptroller Jaime Guerrero reported that San Angelo ISD earned a perfect score on the state’s Financial Integrity Rating System, receiving an A — Superior Achievement rating.

The district earned maximum marks on all 21 financial indicators — marking its 23rd consecutive year with the highest rating.

San Angelo broke its rainfall record on Monday with 1.96 inches, beating the old record of 1 inch set in 1914—National Weather Service reports show Tuesday will be sunny, with cooler temperatures on Thanksgiving and a 20% chance of rain only from Friday onward.

Six Concho Valley girls basketball teams appear in the state rankings this week—Reagan County and Ballinger debut after early wins, with Reagan County rising to No. 10 in Class 2A after a 7-0 start and Ballinger reaching No. 20 with a perfect record.

Reagan County missed the playoffs last season with a 9-22 finish, while Ballinger improved on last year’s 22-11 record, showing promise this season.

Water Valley Wildcats, ranked No. 2, will rematch the No. 6 Robert Lee Steers—who won their earlier meeting—in a regional title game at San Angelo Stadium at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Nov.

28.

Angelo State football had its second quarterback enter the NCAA transfer portal when Kaeden Smith announced his decision on X on Thursday, joining Braeden Fuller; he finished with 598 passing yards and 10 touchdowns and thanked ASU & his coaches & teammates while retaining two years of eligibility.

San Angelo Free 5-Day Event

10 a.m.-3 p.m. — SpringHill Suites by Marriott San Angelo — Free entry — Evaluate your precious metals and collectibles at this buying-only event with specialists available.

Central High School Orchestra Concert

7-8:30 p.m. — Murphey Performance Hall — VIP tickets available — Enjoy an evening of classical music from the talented Central High School Orchestra.

Do The Ugly Sweater Pub Crawl

4:30-9 p.m. — Ranch 125 — Ticket required — Embrace the holiday spirit and strut your ugliest sweater while enjoying a festive pub crawl in downtown San Angelo.