THIS SUBMERGED CAR was one of the casualties of flooding that caused an estimated $1.5 million in damage to Freestone county roads and bridges. As usual, the year in Fairfield and Freestone county provided a good number of successes for individuals, organizations and businesses, but it was tempered somewhat by a shaky national economy.

The Fairfield area lagged behind a national economic downturn, initially reporting strong sales tax revenues and low unemployment, but those indicators fell off as 2009 progressed.

Sales tax figures, for one, finished the year below 2008 levels while unemployment crept above six percent before dropping in November and December.

Neither of the numbers, though, was as dire as in other parts of Texas and the country, showing some immunity because of a strong industrial base.

Industry is expected to grow over the next few years with an announcement by Luminant of plans to expand the Big Brown Mine, which would provide employment for another 25 years for miners, and announcement of a new natural gas-fired power plant by MyPower Corporation of Houston.

CONSTRUCTION GOT UNDERWAY for the new Fairfield intermediate school which will open in 2010. Although the property tax rolls continued to grow in Freestone county, warnings were issued that the tax base will drop in 2010 because of a slowdown in natural gas drilling operations and lower natural gas prices.

Fairfield Independent School District made a change at the top when Katie Ryan was hired to fill the superintendent post vacated with the retirement of superintendent Tony Price at the end of 2008.

Sprinter Derekia Coleman, a Fairfield junior, brought home a state track and field championship 200 meters gold medal in May while Eagles and Lady Eagles sports teams added to their trophy cases.

THE FAMILY OF FAIRFIELD sprinter Derekia Coleman, center, celebrated after she won the 200 meters gold medal at the state track and field championships in May. Work got underway in earnest to build a new intermediate school, approved by FISD voters in a $21 million bond vote. The school will open in 2010.

In spite of a down economy, bidders and contributors spent $351,800 to buy animals exhibited by junior livestock showmen at the Freestone County Fair. The amount was not a record, but remained healthy.

Spring elections saw some changes in the Fairfield city council, as two sitting members were defeated in re-election bids and a third decided not to seek another term. Three new members went on the council.

The city also hired a new city administrator, Jeff Looney of Teague, to fill a void created with the retirement of Mike Gokey. Looney formerly served as city administrator in Teague.

FAIRFIELD FFA MEMBER Riley Jo Davidson sold her grand champion steer for $10,000 at the Freestone County Fair. Fairfield football also showed some signs of improvement, although the season ended with a 1-9 record. School trustees, though, approved a contract renewal for head football coach Darrell Piske.

As the year ended, candidates started filing for 2010 county elections and have until Monday to make up their minds.

The year in review is as follows:

JANUARY

Fairfield Independent School District trustees starting interviewing candidates for superintendent after the retirement of Tony Price. The district received applications from 37 candidates, which were narrowed to six for personal interviews. A reception was held at East Texas Medical Center for longtime food service employee Emma Brackens who retired after 40 years of service.

DR. J.H. KELLER was presented a “Lifetime Achievement” award by the chamber of commerce. Former Fairfield resident Cameron McCabe, 42, died in a fire at his home near Buffalo. The house fire originated near a wood burning stove, investigators reported.

A retirement reception was held for Fairfield Postmaster Paul Johnson and postal clerk Rene Cruz. Combined, the two men counted 83 years of service to the postal service and military.

Freestone County Republican Club filed suit against First United Methodist Church of Fairfield over ownership of a building on W. Main Street in Fairfield. At issue is whether the donation of the building to the church in 2006 was legal.

Original Fairfield police officer Assistant Chief Houston Flowers retired after more than three decades on the job.

FISD trustees selected Katie Ryan of Rogers as new schools superintendent. Ms. Ryan had served 15 years in school administrative posts in Rogers, the last five as superintendent.

THE FAIRFIELD LITTLE DRIBBLERS senior division team won a national championship title in April. Fairfield is hosting the national tournament in 2010. Luminant Power filed a permit with Texas Railroad Commission to expand Big Brown Mine in Freestone into a new area, providing life to its lignite mining operations that fuels Big Brown Steam Electric Station.

Based on civic involvement in 2008, Fairfield chamber of commerce named business owner Kevin Benedict as “Citizen of the Year” at its annual awards banquet. Dr. John H. Keller received a “Lifetime Achievement” award.

A 57-year-old Fairfield man, Van Dorham, was fatally stabbed at a Fairfield residence. Arrested in the stabbing was Beulah Manning, 54, of Fairfield.

Fairfield junior high school students took second place in district University Interscholastic League academic competition at Crockett.

FAIRFIELD HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS teamed up to win a 12th consecutive district academic championship. FEBRUARY

MyPower Corporation of Houston announced plans to build a natural gas-fired power plant in Freestone county near Richland-Chambers Reservoir and filed an air quality permit application with Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.

Freestone county was ranked first in Texas for sulfur dioxide emissions by TCEQ.

Veteran Department of Public Safety Trooper Cpl. Bill Rogillio signed on as assistant chief of Fairfield Police Department. Rogillio brought almost 35 years in law enforcement to the job.

Fairfield citizens and the city council voiced opposition to plans by XTO Energy to drill natural gas wells within city limits. The wells would be located near the hospital and elementary school.

FAIRFIELD HIGH SCHOOL senior Cheyenne Newman was crowned Miss Freestone County by 2008 queen Brittany Brown. After an 8-month rise, the unemployment rate in the county dropped to 4.5 percent, Texas Workforce Commission reported.

Fairfield Eagles quarterback Dalton Piske signed a letter of intent to accept a scholarship to play at Emporia State University in Emporia, Kan. Winnsboro gridder Michael Leaks, son of the late David Leaks who was a standout for the Eagles and Baylor Bears, signed a letter to play for Stephen F. Austin State University.

A variety of winter illnesses and viruses forced Wortham Independent School District to suspend classes for two days when absences reached about 15 percent.

Freestone county residents held a meeting to oppose construction of a new natural gas-fired power plant near Richland- Chambers Reservoir by MyPower Corporation of Houston.

FRESHMAN STUDENT Melissa Lopez of Fairfield was crowned Miss Teen Freestone county by 2008 teen queen Ashley Whatley. Five members of the Fairfield Eagles varsity basketball team earned All- District honors for the 2009 season. Making first team were seniors Josh Lynch and Andre Gilley.

The starting quintet for the Fairfield Lady Eagles varsity basketball team earned All-District honors for the 2009 season. Making first team were sophomore Courtney Nelson and junior Kiresten Cox.

MARCH

A 31-year-old Teague resident, Caden Hodges Newell, was charged with murder in the shooting death of a man in Parker county.

The dip in the county unemployment rate was short-lived as TWC reported an increase to five percent, the highest rate in Freestone county since 2004.

FHS athlete Cally Hardwick, a junior student, lifted a total of 735 pounds to qualify for the state powerlifting meet in Corpus Christi.

THREE MEMBERS OF THE Wortham Bulldogs football team earned All-State honors for their play during the 2009 gridiron season. Recognized are: l-r, Jake Jones, honorable mention offense; Blake Ridge, second team offensive lineman; and Spencer Thornton, honorable mention offense and defense. FISD received word that it would receive $514,450 in federal economic stimulus funds over the next two years. Rules require that the funds be used for new spending, not to replace budgeted expenses.

FHS students won the District 20-AAA academic championship, the 12th consecutive year they have captured the crown. The school has won the district academic championship 19 of the past 20 years.

Two area residents, James Granberry, 19, of Buffalo and Jessica Lynn Bonner, 26, of Teague were killed in separate car wrecks on Freestone county roads on March 29. Dew school held a formal

THE ONLY REMAINING original member of Fairfield Police Department, Asst. Chief Houston Flowers, retired grand opening for its new library, part of a $3.1 million expansion at the school that also included eight classrooms and a band hall.

APRIL

River of Life Church of Fairfield was given a new home when Cornerstone Baptist Church disbanded because of declining membership and donated its facility to the non-denominational church.

A low bid to build a new precinct three county barn was rejected by Freestone county commissioners, setting off a protest by the rejected bidder, JLK General Contractors of Corsicana. A bid of $232,800, which was $2,800 higher, was awarded to Lide Construction of Mexia.

Nucor Steel announced that it has won a contract to provide up to 75,000 tons of steel over three years for construction of electric transmission connected to wind farms in West Texas.

HIRED AS NEW Fairfield schools superintendent was Katie Ryan of Rogers. The City of Fairfield accepted a gift of a municipal size water well from F.E. Hill Company of Fairfield. The well was metered at 400 gallons per minute and the Hill company reserved up to 20 percent of its output in exchange for the donation.

Streetman Volunteer Fire Department Chief Robert Clark,45, died when a 4-wheeler he was riding at night on a farm-to-market road struck a cow.

Winning “Best of Show” in the 35th annual Fairfield Rotary Club Talent Show went to Tiffany Hayes for a dance routine.

The Fairfield Lady Eagles won the district track meet and qualified for region competition in 15 events.

Eagles thinclads finished fourth in district and qualified for region in eight events.

The Fairfield Boys’ Little Dribblers senior team won a national championship title in competition held at Mexia.

Two Fairfield Eagles football players, Andre Gilley and Keith Daniels, inked applications to East Texas Baptist University where they planned to play football.

Former Teague city administrator Jeff Looney was hired for the top City of Fairfield administrative post, filling a void created with the resignation of Mike Gokey.

Fairfield Lady Eagles softball players shared the district championship title with Brownsboro.

Preliminary real property estimated values showed a 4.45 percent increase throughout Freestone county, coming in at $1.7 billion.

FHS senior student Sunny Patel, a native of India, earned United States citizenship just weeks before receiving his high school diploma.

A total of 27 Freestone county girls signed up for Miss Freestone County and Miss Teen Freestone County pageants to be held during the county fair in June.

Heavy rains in Freestone county, dumping up to eight inches in some areas, damaged roads and bridges, and resulted in a couple of fast water rescues by law enforcement personnel.

Concerns about the H1N1 virus, swine flu, meant extra cleaning of schools and cancellation or delays in extracurricular activities.

The sale of the final $9 million in bonds from a $21 million issue to build an intermediate school and expand the senior high school was authorized by FISD trustees. By splitting sales of the whole amount, the school realized a savings through lower interest rates.

MAY

Announced as top members of the FHS senior class were valedictorian Candice DeFriend and salutatorian Daniel Wilson. A total of 35 students were candidates as honor graduates.

Damage to roads and bridges in the county road system was estimated at $1.5 million from late April rain storms.

Fairfield voters turned out two sitting council members, mayor pro tem Linda York and Jo Olive Zuckuhr. Elected to the council were Kenneth Hughes, Leldon Childs and Lane Stripling.

The city of Fairfield received a sales tax reimbursement check for $391,944, putting it above the $1 million mark for the year. Receipts, which would soon show a decline, were up 19.85 percent through May.

Annual Freestone County Relay for Life fundraiser of American Cancer Society was held at Eagle Field in Fairfield and raised $77,000.

Eight members of the Lady Eagles softball team earned All-District honors for the 2009 season. Making first team were pitcher Courtney Nelson, catcher Becca Lyles, second baseman Kayse Kirgan and center fielder Shelby Bayless.

Bossier Country of Fairfield, a Dodge, Chrysler and Jeep automobile dealership, was spared by Chrysler LLC when it axed 789 dealers throughout the country.

Top graduates at Teague high school were valedictorian Summer Moore and salutatorian Brittany Brown. The THS senior class numbered 82 stu- dents.

Fairfield Lady Eagles pitcher Courtney Nelson, an All-District selection for four years, inked a scholarship offer to play for Lubbock Christian University.

FISD trustees hired Stephen Heers of Priddy as new Lady Eagles head basketball coach and girls’ athletics coordinator, replacing Tommy Fadal who retired.

Top graduates in the 33- member Wortham high school senior class were valedictorian Amber Reece and salutatorian Kara Jantzen.

Freestone county resident Lewis Ray Davis, 35, died when the car he was driving struck a tree along FM 80.

JUNE

Seven members of the Fairfield Eagles baseball team earned All-District honors. Making first team were pitcher Justin Terry, first baseman J.R. Vaughn and infielder Evan Simpson.

A small group of protesters carried signs in front of the Freestone county courthouse prior to a county commission meeting, urging purchase by the county of an air monitor to measure air pollution. Commissioners budgeted for the air monitor purchase in 2008 but still has not bought the equipment.

Fairfield Lady Eagle thinclad Derekia Coleman won the 200-meter dash in Class AAA at the UIL State Track and Field Championships in Austin. Miss Coleman also finished fifth in the 100-meter dash.

A preliminary estimate by Freestone Central Appraisal District showed a decline in mineral and industrial values of about $164 million in taxable value. Mineral and industrial values make up about 70 percent of the tax roll.

June sales tax revenue for Fairfield dropped 17.83 percent from the prior year.

Teague resident Adrian Jan Inderman, 51, was arrested the first night of the Freestone County Fair and charged with assault in connection with an incident in which Michael Crockett, 40, of Oakwood was stabbed.

FHS student Cheyenne Newman was crowned Miss Freestone County and FHS student Melissa Lopez was crowned Miss Teen Freestone County.

Bidders spent $326,800 at the county fair junior livestock show, with the grand champion steer shown by Riley Jo Davidson of Fairfield FFA bringing top dollar of $10,000.

Lady Eagles softball player Shelby Bayless, who led the team in hitting, signed a letter to attend Lon Morris College in Jacksonville and play softball.

Unemployment rate for Freestone county rose to 5.2 percent.

Fairfield junior student Cooper Vandiver won the all-around cowboy title at the Texas High School Rodeo Association finals held in Abilene and qualified to advance to the national finals in cutting.

XTO Energy modified plans to drill natural gas wells inside Fairfield city limits, deciding to locate wells at one location instead of at separate sites.

A motorcycle wreck on FM 488 killed Ricky Ray Thompson, 54, of Fairfield.

JULY

Rains came to the county, ending drought conditions since storms in April, which prompted county commissioners to delay enacting a burn ban before the Fourth of July.

Five members of the family of Scott and Rachel Bossier earned roles in the Disney musical “Beauty and the Beast” performed in Palestine. Making the cut were Scott, Rachel, Bree, Brooke and Britain Bossier.

Marriage led divorce in Freestone county 77-72 through the first half of the year.

Dogan high school alumni gathered for their reunion held every three years. The event featured a talent show, “The Big Broadcast,” banquet and parade.

Fairfield Library Association announced plans to build a new facility on 2.8 acres of land it purchased on N. Fairway. Hopes are to build a 20,000 square foot library, considerably larger than the present 5,700 square foot facility.

Sam Houston State University senior student Felicia Ireland of Fairfield spent part of the summer studying in Toledo, Spain. The student is majoring in international business, with a minor in Spanish.

Fairfield Boys’ Little Dribblers received word that the Little Dribblers national championship tournament would be played in Fairfield in April 2010. This will be the sixth national tournament held in Fairfield.

For the second consecutive month, Fairfield sales tax revenue declined. The drop for the month was 17.83 percent.

Former Fairfield Lady Eagles track sensation Nanceen Perry Hoskins received notice that she was being inducted into Texas Women’s Athletics Hall of Honor at the University of Texas. In addition to winning the 100- and 200-meter state championships while in high school, she ran track for UT and in the 2000 Summer Olympics.

Certified tax values in Freestone county, used by entities to calculate tax rates, rose four percent to $5.37 billion from a year ago.

Fairfield freshman student Taylor Sharp was picked as a guitarist for the Kidd Craddock Kid Rock Band in Dallas, which rehearsed for a week, recorded a song and performed in concert.

Unemployment rate jumped a full percentage point to 6.2 percent in the county.

Fairfield ISD trustees decided to form a district police department, ending an agreement with the city in which a police officer was provided fulltime to patrol schools.

Based on Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills test results, Texas Education Agency conferred “recommended” status on the Fairfield school district. That was a step up from “academically acceptable” and is the second highest designation given by TEA.

Freestone county commissioners approved a $15.2 million preliminary budget for fiscal year 2009-10 and expected to cut the property tax rate.

AUGUST

Fairfield ISD trustees set the property tax rate at $1.19607 per $100 assessed property valuation to fund a $40.7 million budget for fiscal year 2009-10. The tax rate was 1.329 cents higher than 2008.

Streetman Historical Association, made up of Streetman area residents, announced plans to preserve the former Presbyterian Church building there. The City of Streetman held deed to the property and gave it to the preservation group.

Freestone county commissioners again provided funding to install an air monitor in the county as they gave final approval to a $15.2 million operating budget.

Fairfield high school May graduate Jack Wright earned the Eagle Scout rank after completing a community project to build gear lockers at Butler Volunteer Fire Department.

At least for one month, the decline in Fairfield sales tax revenue halted when the city received a reimbursement check for $244,297, up 19.29 percent from a year ago.

Freestone county 4-H members received recognition at the annual Gold Star Banquet. Eagle County 4-H member Jacob Sessions got the Gold Star Award, the Silver Star Award went to Travis Blackwell of Dew 4-H, and Logan Capers of Wortham 4-H won the Bronze Star Award.

A 29-year-old Freestone county man, Terry L. McGinn, was sentenced to life in prison after pleading guilty to charges of indecency with a child, aggravated kidnapping and aggravated sexual assault, stemming from a 2008 kidnapping of a 7-year-old female relative.

Fairfield high school mathematics teacher and senior student John Horton won a $17,400 grant from Heart of Texas Council of Governments to expand a recycling program throughout the school district. The program was started in spring on the high school campus.

SEPTEMBER

Wortham schools being the exception, school districts in Freestone county did not allow students to watch a live address by President Barack Obama about the value of education. Most students were allowed to watch a recorded version of the speech after it was reviewed by school personnel.

County Health Authority Dr. Glenn Routhouska of Fairfield announced that the H1N1 virus, swine flu, was active in the county but need not be a cause of panic. Residents were advised to vigilantly follow good hygiene practices and avoid crowds.

Fairfield Hospital District adopted a property tax rate of 3.659 cents per $100 assessed property valuation to fund a $1.5 million budget. The rate was unchanged from 2008.

Fairfield high school graduate Wendy Mensch Martin, 33, was named Fairfield Postmaster, coming from Buffalo where she had been serving as officer in charge.

About 50 people attended a Fairfield school board meeting to protest a district censuring of a speech given by President Obama to students. The crowd felt that the speech should have been broadcast live to students, instead of in a delayed recording.

Fairfield ISD trustees hired Billy Barlow and Glenda Bass to staff the district police department as student resource officers. Barlow had been serving as SRO as a Fairfield policeman and Mrs. Bass was a corporal with the city department.

A 42-year-old Streetman man, Yancy Moore, died in a 1-vehicle wreck on U.S. 79 south of Jewett while on his way to work at the XTO Energy BOA facility near Jewett.

Freestone county commissioners were asked to consider a recycling center to serve all county residents. Commissioners took no action.

Sales tax revenue for Fairfield dropped 39.49 percent in September with receipt of a reimbursement check for $141,399. The lesser payment gave Fairfield a 2.01 percent drop in sales tax revenue for the year.

Senior student Lilly Duarte was crowned Fairfield homecoming queen.

Unemployment rate in Freestone county dropped to 6.5 percent.

Members of the 1979 Fairfield Eagles football team held a reunion celebrating the district football championship they won. Team members and coaches were presented with commemorative footballs at halftime of the homecoming game.

OCTOBER

New Leash on Life animal shelter volunteers, in their second trip to a county commissioners meeting, asked for county funding of an animal shelter. Stray animals are housed by NLOL at a temporary facility.

County health practitioners reported that the main effect of the H1N1 virus is that it lengthens the regular flu season, but that the new virus is no more dangerous than seasonal flu.

The flu bug hit Wortham schools, which reported an 18 percent absentee rate, causing classes to be cancelled for two days.

Sales tax revenue fell 22.04 percent in October and was down 3.65 percent for the year.

Bids totaling $67,368 to expand the Fairfield high school ag barn were approved by the school board. The expansion will double the size of the facility.

Unemployment rate in Freestone county rose to 6.7 percent, its highest level since hitting seven percent in January 2003.

Fairfield boys’ and girls’ varsity cross country teams hosted the District 20-AAA meet and each placed second to advance to the region meet.

A single vehicle wreck on Texas 75 north of Fairfield claimed the life of Marcus Hatcher, 29, of Fairfield.

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation shut down operations of FBOP Corp., a bank holding company, which temporarily shuttered Citizens National Bank of Teague. CNB reopened a day later under ownership of U.S. Bancorp.

NOVEMBER

Luminant was honored with the U.S. Department of Interior Office of Surface Mining Director’s Award for an unprecedented fifth consecutive year. The award was given for the company’s work in land reclamation.

The Fairfield Eagles varsity football team closed the 2009 campaign with a 1-9 record, getting the lone win in the season finale against the Crockett Bulldogs.

Fairfield Lady Eagles spikers won the 20-AAA district championship but fell in the bi-district playoff round to the Robinson Rockettes.

Every member of the Lady Eagles volleyball team earned All-District honors for the season. Making first team were offensive player of the year Kiresten Cox, setter of the year Sarah Linton, and Robyn Davis, Kayse Kirgan and McKenzie Beddingfield.

Bossier Country automobile dealer trumped Chrysler Financial in 77th District Court when it filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy as the financial firm was trying to close the dealer’s doors. The filing allows the car dealer to line up financing to replace its arrangement with Chrysler Financial.

Fairfield FFA member won the Sandyland District Sweepstakes for the 10th consecutive year in competition at Trinity Valley Community College in Athens.

Veterans Remembrance Park of Teague was formally dedicated in ceremonies held on Veteran’s Day. The park features a bronze sculpture of a soldier, granite benches and markers bearing the names of military veterans, and flags.

Fairfield cross country runner Lilly Duarte finished ninth at the state meet at Round Rock and twin brother Lando finished in 44th place.

A 31-year-old Fairfield resident, Rodney Young Anderson, 31, was sentenced to prison terms of 40 years and life in connection with a 2008 arrest in which shots were fired by law enforcement officers in Montgomery county. Anderson was charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver and aggravated assault on a peace officer.

Sales tax revenue in Fairfield fell 11.24 percent in November and was down 4.48 percent for the year.

Six members of the Fairfield Eagles football team earned All-District honors. Making first team were sophomore Anthony Price, junior Dominique Owens and senior Eli Pratt.

Fairfield native Mike Capps, director of broadcasting for the Round Rock Express, was named 2009 Broadcaster of the Year by BallparkDigest.com

Unemployment rate for the county remained unchanged at 6.7 percent and is the lowest in the area.

DECEMBER

Wortham ISD won 12 Gold Performance awards from Texas Education Agency in the areas of attendance, college readiness, commended performance in mathematics and social studies.

Fairfield city council received 25 applications for the new post of community development director and interviewed three finalists. The council, however, delayed a hiring decision.

Freestone County Sheriff’s Office recognized Sgt. Ameca Gibson as its “Deputy of the Year” at the annual department Christmas party.

Employment contracts for principals, administrators and athletic director were extended by Fairfield ISD trustees.

Fairfield senior student Rob McCully earned the Eagle Rank after completing a community service project in which he installed exercise stations along the W.L. Moody Reunion Grounds walking trail.

Elected president of the Fairfield chamber of commerce for 2010 is business owner Mary Small, and Vanessa Dotson was elected first vice president.

December sales tax check fell 25.41 percent from a year ago and sales tax reimbursements for all of 2009 declined 5.92 per-