Martha Zenkner, age 79 of Springtown, formerly of Albany, passed away Wednesday, July 15, 2020. Her family will hold a memorial service at a later date. Cremation arrangements have been entrusted to Morehart Mortuary of Albany.

Martha Elizabeth Bowsher was born Feb. 11, 1941 in Albany, Texas to parents, George Bowsher and Anna Shelton Bowsher. She married Manfred Zenkner on Dec. 4, 1960 in Albany. 

Upon moving back to Albany, she worked at City Grocery. Mrs. Zenkner enjoyed quilting, woodworking and fishing in her spare time. 

Don Charles Green, 80, passed away July 20, 2020 in Abilene, Texas Graveside service was held Wednesday July 22 at Albany Cemetery, under the direction of Girdner Funeral Home, Abilene.

Don was born Sept. 13, 1939 in Odessa to Neal and Sena Green. The family moved to the Breckenridge/Albany area where he attended schools. He was employed at First National Bank in Albany for 26 years. 

Following in his father’s footsteps, the second generation Matthews’ man to portray the Old Timer in the Fort Griffin Fandangle rode off to greener pastures Saturday, July 18, 2020 at a spry 101. 

From the Shackelford County pioneering Matthews family, Albany Texas’ beloved native son, John Alexander Matthews, was born on March 9, 1919, the only child of Joseph Beck and Louise Webb Matthews.

June 30, 1932 – 

July 12, 2020

A.V. Jones, Jr., a pillar of the Albany, Texas, community and the independent oil and gas industry, died peacefully at home on July 12, following a brief illness. He was 88 years old.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Shackelford County elected officials learned Monday that the county has been designated to receive over $355,000 in grant money from the state’s County Transportation Infrastructure Fund for local road projects, and commissioners put plans to repave the courthouse parking lot on hold.

County Judge Robert Skelton reported that the grant funding was awarded, but he still has to receive approval for each proposed portion of the work in advance, plus providing a 20 percent funding match.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Albany city council member James Waters resigned and Austin Sherwood was appointed to replace him at a special session held on Thursday, July 2.

Waters’ letter of resignation stated that he was giving up his seat “due to family issues.” He had filed for reelection without opposition earlier this year, with his present term scheduled to end in May 2022.

By Lynsi Musselman

Online registration for the 2020-2021 school year is now underway for both campuses in the Albany Independent School District.

Director of student services Leigh Lowe reported that online registration is available district-wide this year. Last year, it was only accessible to parents of elementary students.

With the first day of school beginning on Wednesday, Aug. 19, parents need to go online to get students registered before the deadline coming up in early August.

By Lynsi Musselman

The first day of the 2020-2021 school year for Albany Independent School District begins in just five weeks, and AISD administrators are currently trying to decide the details of just how that will happen. 

With school scheduled to start on Aug. 19, educators are attempting to predict and stay current with the COVID-19 situation.

Texas Education Agency, which oversees all school districts in the state, finally provided guidelines for districts on July 8.

By Lynsi Musselman

New Albany band director William Vaughn has scheduled 2020-2021 summer band rehearsals for the week of Monday, Aug. 3 through Friday, Aug. 7, and the week of Monday, Aug. 10 through Friday, Aug. 14.

Practice sessions will be for eighth through 12th grade band members.

Vaughn has not announced a practice time or location as of press time on Tuesday, but the schedule will be posted on the school website and Facebook page as soon as it has been determined.

A meeting of Band Boosters will be scheduled in the near future.

By Melinda L. Lucas

New and ongoing recipients of Albany ISD Education Foundation scholarships need to provide proof of enrollment in order to receive their benefit for the fall 2020 semester.

New 2020 graduate recipients need proof of enrollment and the letter that was in the scholarship envelope they received at graduation.

This is the 11th year for the Foundation scholarships, with an additional $25,000 in awards given this spring.