News

Gail Allison Griffin, children's book author, is hosting a book signing on Sunday, Feb. 18, for her latest book The Ghost of the Old Red Barn. Griffin found moderate success with her first book The Ghost of the Yellow Two-Story House. The book signing is slated for 2 to 5 p.m. in the home of Jane Moore, 181 County Road 820 in Teague. Griffin is a 1976 Teague High School graduate and has been the intermediate school librarian for 25 years.

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Years of rumors came true Monday, Feb. 12, as Big Brown plant finally went offline forever. More than 200 employees are now without jobs and the nearly 47-year-old mine is empty.

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A local family was displaced after their home on North Mount in Fairfield went up in flames around 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 8, with firefighters battling the blaze for more than seven hours. At 11:30 p.m. the fire was thought to be extinguished, but fire departments were called back at 3:30 a.m. Friday, Feb. 9 because the fire reignited under a second story window.

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Eagle multi-sport standout Kolbe Branch is shown signing his football letter of intent to Southern Nazarene University, in Bethany, Oklahoma last week at the film room in the Johnson Activity Center in Fairfield. Looking on with understandable pride are his mother, LaMonica Branch and his grandmother, Lois Gatson. Branch's brother, Keiston Gatson, and his college scout are seated to his right. Southern is a mid-size DII school in the Great American Conference, with a football program that is on the rise under head coach, Andy Lambert, who has seen his first three seasons improve from (1-10), to (2-9), and (4-7), from two consecutive (0-11) campaigns before he arrived. Branch's exciting brand of play should help that improvement continue.

Photo by Roy Peterson

Fairfield Rotary Club member Gene Chavers earned the prestigious Paul Harris Award -- Sapphire Level -- for his generous giving. Chavers is pictured with Club President Donna Tyus.

Courtesy photo

Freestone County Grand Jury members returned 21 true bills against individuals on Friday, Jan. 26, for charges of possession, evading, and child endangerment. Indictments were returned against:

•  Ali Rivera – 28-year-old female, of Garland, out on bond; charged with possession of controlled substance, pg 1, <1G; date of offense: Nov. 27
•  Jorge Zapata – 24-year-old male, of Fairfield, out on bond; charged with possession of controlled substance, pg 1, <1G; date of offense: Oct. 26
•  Douglas Hart – 49-year-old male, of Denton, released to Denton County on Jan. 9; charged with evading in motor vehicle; date of offense: Sept. 12

Twenty-one candidates are slated to speak at a forum sponsored by the Freestone County Retired Teachers Association (FCRTA). The group has planned a chili supper to be at 5:30 p.m. prior to the 6 p.m. forum on Monday, Feb. 5, at the Fairfield High School cafeteria, 631 Post Oak Road in Fairfield. Candidates slated to speak are:

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After 25 years of faithful service, J.R. Corne announced his retirement from the Fairfield Hospital District board last week. Corne was honored by a private ceremony at Freestone Medical Center Thursday, Jan. 25, during which time the board officially recognized him and revealed his name plate and bronze portrait that will forever identify the boardroom with his name. Board President George Robinson, now the longest serving board member, said Corne has always promoted the hospital and been concerned with the health and well-being of the community.

Fairfield Superintendent Tony Price named four teachers of the year and a student of the year who is on her way to becoming valedictorian of her graduating class at the annual Chamber of Commerce banquet held last Thursday, Jan. 25, at the Depot X -- a business which was awarded Business of the Year.

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Market Days Director Darlene Jones officially quit her position with the City of Fairfield following last weekend's monthly event. The City of Fairfield is now looking for someone to take control of the market. Things have been strained between Jones and the city, prompting several workshops and meetings to discuss its future. A workshop was held Monday, Jan. 22, with city council in which several vendors attended hoping to develop better marketing strategies from the council.

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