By Sandy Morris

Albany High School  seniors are on the final countdown to graduation,and their parents and community members are finalizing plans for the traditional Project Graduation party.

Project Graduation is an all-night drug-free and alcohol-free party following commencement exercises and has been an annual tradition in Albany since 1988.

This year’s fundraising drive has been completed, and plans for the night’s activities have been finalized with the Class of 2021 deciding to stay in Albany, rather than travel out of town.

By Sandy Morris

A community-wide clean-up day, promoted annually by the Albany Chamber of Commerce, has been scheduled for Saturday, June 12.

All area citizens are encouraged to come out and help work on projects aimed at beautifying the town of Albany, and the annual clean-up day is a good way for many people to get volunteer hours.

“Those who would like to volunteer can meet at the Depot at 8:00 a.m.,” said Chamber manager Mary Beth Jones.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Albany ISD trustees took the next step toward applying for a $756,562 federal grant and reviewed preliminary taxable values during a regular meeting on Monday, May 17.

They also awarded a two-year bank depository contract to First National Bank of Albany following a presentation by FNB officer Zach Maberry.

Board president Robert Montgomery thanked the  bank for all that it does for the community and school, a lot of which “goes under the radar,” he said.

ESSER III Grant

By Melinda L. Lucas

A Cisco man who had been missing for three days was found dead in a remote part of northwestern Shackelford County on Monday evening, May 17, according to Shackelford County sheriff Ed Miller.

The body of Samuel Ray Woody, 79, was spotted by pilots of a DPS helicopter about 6:15 p.m. after law enforcement officers, fire department members, and volunteers had been searching the area for most of the day.

By Sandy Morris

The annual Baccalaureate service for the Albany High School Class of 2021 will be held Sunday, May 23 at the AHS auditorium. 

Former Albany youth minister Grant Zeller will be the keynote speaker, delivering the message at the 7:00 p.m. ceremony. He will be introduced by valedictorian Hannah Trail.

A total of 35 local seniors are expected to participate in the service and subsequently receive their diplomas during commencement exercises set for Friday, May 28.

By Melinda L. Lucas

After a two-hour closed session on Monday night, members of the Shackelford County Hospital District’s board of directors hurriedly passed a motion to amend district administrator Jera Fairley’s job description, as well as approving the bills, before hail that came along with an expected spring storm interrupted the last part of the May 17 meeting.

The directors also changed the date of the next regular meeting to June 28 because of a conflict with Fandangle practice.

Job Description

Billie Glenn died Sunday, May 16, 2021. Graveside services are tentatively set June 12 at Albany Ceme­tery. More details will be available later.

Judge George P. Kazen, respected jurist, outstanding contributor to the community, loving father, grandfather, and friend died on April 27, 2021. He died peacefully at his home, surrounded by his family.

Judge Kazen was the grandchild of Lebanese immigrants. He was born in Laredo, Texas on February 29, 1940, to Judge E. James Kazen and Drusilla Perkins Kazen.

He married Barbara Ann Sanders of Albany, Texas.

Jeanette Holson, age 99 of Albany, passed away Sunday, May 16, 2021. Graveside funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, May 20 in the Albany Cemetery with Pastor Paul Johnston officiating. Interment will follow under the direction of Morehart Mortuary.

Jeanette Dorothy Mett­ing was born Aug. 13, 1921 in Yorktown, Texas to parents Herman Metting and Louise Wehe Metting. 

By Sandy Morris

The local chapter of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes is sponsoring a silent auction of plaques of famous athletes and public figures in an effort to raise money to send students to FCA camp this summer. The fundraiser will continue for another couple of weeks, with about a dozen autographed items displayed at the local banks.

The plaques were originally ordered for an FCA golf tournament that was rained out, according to FCA East representative Paul Johnston.