Karen Sue Johnson, known as Suzy to her Daddy, family and friends was born on April 10, 1942, in Mount Vernon, Illinois to parents, Carroll William (Slim) and Wynema (Kinsolving) Gore. She passed away peacefully at her home with family and caregivers in attendance on Friday, July 14, 2023, after a long struggle with numerous health issues.
She was the middle child of three children growing up in Albany with her older sister Carolyn Ann and younger brother G.E. Gore.
With great sorrow, Ashley Nicole Loftin Alexander, aka Big Momma, 38, of Albany, TX, passed away Monday July 17, 2023.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 29, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. at the First Christian Church, 201 S. Walnut St, Albany, TX 76430. Arrangements are with Girdner Funeral Home, Abilene
Ashley was born on March 22, 1985, in Houston, TX to Michael Loftin and Cynthia Hassell. She married Chris Alexander on Oct. 31, 2021, in Moran, TX.
By Melinda L. Lucas
The last name on a fairly lengthy list of classroom teachers and coaches has been checked off this week, although a few expected contracts are not yet finalized, according to Albany ISD administrative assistant Lynsi Musselman.
With so many longtime educators retiring this year and others leaving the district, AISD superintendent Jonathan Scott commented that hiring for multiple positions in a post-COVID environment has been challenging.
By Donnie A. Lucas
Ticket are selling fast for the fifth annual CareFest, with only $50 general admission remaining for the one-day music extravaganza headlining Pat Green and Kevin Fowler on Saturday, Aug. 26.
The event will again be held at Happy Life, Happy Wife Weddings and Events Venue on FM 1084. Gates will open at 4:00 p.m.
By Donnie A. Lucas
Several members of the local FCCLA chapter competed at the national conference in Denver, Colorado last week, bringing home silver medals for their efforts.
The Level 2 Parliamentary Procedure team which can include freshmen and sophomore students, earned the silver medal; however, they did not place in the top 10 in the nation. Last year five of seven members competed in the Level I (junior high) division and won first place at the national conference.
Albany News readers and advertisers are reminded that no newspaper will be published, either in print or online, during the week of July 17.
“We will not have a July 20 issue,” said News editor Melinda Lucas. “Hopefully that won’t be an inconvenience or source of confusion for anyone.”
Mail and online subscribers will get their papers at the usual times this week, with the July 13 issue distributed Thursday morning.
By Melinda L. Lucas
A single bid for a “property exchange” was accepted at the Albany city council’s regular meeting on Monday, July 10.
After the required bidding process, a 5.76-acre track owned by Justin Trail south of the airport runway will be “swapped” for 7.39 acres owned by the city behind the water plant. Trail agreed to grant a utility easement.
The council approved the bid.
AVFD Engine
Fire chief Joel Viertel reported that the department’s “second out” truck, a 2002 model has been in Mans-field for three weeks for an inspection.
By Melinda L. Lucas
With the extended deadline for the Old Jail Art Center children’s workshop coming up on Friday, July 21, parents need to get their 6-12 year olds signed up for one or more of the four sessions scheduled over the first two weeks of August.
All the workshops are only offered in person this year, moving back to pre-COVID traditions according to the OJAC’s director of education Erin Whitmore.
The traditional Cultural Connections Camp, which is centered on Egypt this year, will start things off on Wednesday, Aug. 2.
By Melinda L. Lucas
Shackelford County commissioners worked through several items on their July 10 agenda, including setting a time for the first budget workshop of 2023 next Monday at 1:00 p.m.
County judge John Viertel also reported that representatives from Lone Star I Windfarm Data Center are expected to be at the next regular session to talk about a proposed wind farm in Precinct 4 north of Hwy. 351.
Viertel said that he is studying the county’s tax abatement options and conferring with officials from other counties.
Broadband Transition
By Sam Waller
The Albany Booster Club will hold its kickoff meeting at 6:00 p.m. Monday, July 24, at The Feed Store.
The meeting is for all parents who would like to be involved in the Booster Club for the 2023-24 school year with team parent signups and other business on the agenda.
The Booster Club is also seeking volunteers to help with the annual Ice Cream Supper, scheduled for Monday, Aug. 7. A link to signupgenius.com has been posted on the Booster Club’s Facebook page for anyone wishing to help.
