By Melinda L. Lucas

A total of 25 Albany FCCLA members will compete in the FCCLA State Conference in Dallas this weekend, including all three parliamentary procedure teams plus a two-person team, all of whom qualified for state after placing in the regional conference held last month.

Albany Fire Chief Joel Viertel was re-elected to a second term during the department’s annual officer election, which saw every position filled by unanimous vote—an outcome Viertel described as a sign of unity and strong leadership within the volunteer force.

Cyrena Wooster was re-elected as Secretary Treasurer, and Casey Kimbrough will continue serving as Second Captain. The only newly elected officer is Zack Waggoner, who was chosen as First Lieutenant and also named Firefighter of the Year in 2024. He steps into the role following the resignation of Ryan Walser.

“It was now the sixth hour, and there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour, while the sun’s light failed. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, ‘Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!’ And having said this he breathed his last.” (Luke 23:44-46, ESV)

The Albany High School Fellowship of Christian Athletes will host a community showing of The Passion of the Christ on Wednesday, April 16, at the Aztec Theater downtown.

The evening will begin with a free supper at 6 p.m. at The Feed Store, provided by FCA. At 6:30 p.m., attendees will walk to the Aztec for the movie showing. Water and popcorn will be available for $1 each, with all proceeds benefiting FCA.