Albany High School wrapped up the 2026 UIL state tennis tournament with a third-place finish in mixed doubles as Mimi Ivy and Cade Fairchild earned another bronze medal at the Blossom Tennis Center in San Antonio on May 7-8.

The Albany mixed doubles pair advanced to the semifinals after opening the tournament Thursday with a win over Tyler Hemphill and Kylynn Ramirez of Shiner. Ivy and Fairchild followed with another victory against Hank Wheeler and Sofia Tenti of Cushing to secure a spot in the final four.

Jerry Edwin Estep, born in Sweetwater, Texas on September 10, 1936, lived a life marked not by loud accomplishments or grand attention, but by quiet faithfulness, steady love, gentle humor, and the kind of presence that makes an entire family feel rooted. He passed away quietly and comfortably on May 5, 2026, in Conroe, Texas at the age of 89.

Shackelford County voters finalized several local races Saturday, May 2, deciding seats on the Fort Griffin Special Utility District, Shackelford County Hospital District, Albany City Council and an $26 million Albany ISD bond proposal.

In the Fort Griffin Special Utility District race, voters selected three candidates for two-year terms, with incumbents Robert Montgomery, Ted Tidwell and Ben Hale winning reelection.

Albany voters delivered a clear message Saturday, approving the Albany ISD school bond by a wide margin.

Final totals showed 358 votes in favor and 143 against, giving the measure roughly 71 percent approval and marking one of the strongest showings of support for a project of this scale in state history.

For Superintendent Daryl Stuard, the outcome reflected more than just a successful election.

“That just says so much about this community and their support for kids,” Stuard said.