Fairfield Recorder

The Fairfield Recorder is recognizing local veterans for our annual Veterans Appreciation section to be published in November. Freestone County residents are encouraged to send in photos of family members who served in any branch of the military, along with name, rank, branch, and years of service. Photos can either be emailed to April Walker at news@fairfield-recorder.com or dropped off at the Recorder office at 101 E. Commerce in Fairfield. The deadline to submit photos is Friday, Oct. 28.

A GoFundMe account has been set up to help the family of a young woman who died in a house fire Tuesday, Sept. 18, in the Clay Hill community of Freestone County. Victoria Smith, 19, died in the home while firemen attempted to break through an exterior wall into the bathroom where she was trapped.

It is not yet known how the fire began or why the teen was unable to get out of the house. Texas State Fire Marshals are investigating.

The Fairfield football team is slated to compete against the Brownsboro Bears at 7:30 p.m. this Friday at the Fairfield Eagle Football Stadium. In last week’s Friday night game which kicked off the long-awaited football season, our Eagles won against the Rusk Eagles with a final score of 36-28. “Brownsboro is a good football team,” said Head Coach John Bachtel. “They have two really good running backs, and they play good defense. It will be a great challenge for us as a team.” While Fairfield did make the first touchdown, they would later lose control of the first half and enter halftime with a score of 8-20. “The first half we had the big turnover,” said Bachtel. “They scooped and scored on us. Then we gave up two long touchdown passes.

Several departments presented their budget proposals to Fairfield city councilmen Monday, Aug. 27, but no decisions will be made until closer to October. Leslie Tate, Freestone County Historical Museum board treasurer, presented their budget requesting $40,000 – the regular $15,000 operating costs plus an additional $25,000 for the 1880s Freestone County Jail project.

Tate said the board is hoping to continue with the project by removing any interior walls not original to the building, relocating the stairs to the original place, and stabilizing the floor.

Freestone County gave the museum $10,000 in operating costs, but chose to give none for the project.

Another school year has come and gone and FISD is preparing for a full summer of athletic, drama, art, and music camps for the students. Camps will be taught by FISD coaches and teachers beginning in June. Camps are as follows in date order:

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Freestone County Sheriff’s Office began donning new uniforms on May 14 in an effort to bring a more prideful and professional appearance, while carrying out duties to serve the citizens of Freestone County. “We would like to thank our county commissioner’s for their approval in our 2018 budget that provided financial assistance in purchasing these uniforms, as well as say thank you to several private donors and businesses who donated funds as well,” said Sheriff Jeremy Shipley. “We received numerous calls and comments from our citizens around the county this week that were very pleased with the new professional look. Things all around us are continuously changing and we hope to continue changing at the FCSO for the better.” Pictured is the full staff of FCSO led by Sheriff Shipley.

May 13, 1943

Twister Strikes New Providence; Three Injured – A twister swept through the New Providence community, west of Freestone, about 10:30 Monday morning, devastating a strip of three or four miles long. Mr. and Mrs. Delmer Wren and Mrs. Wren's mother, Mrs. Rogers, lost their homes and were seriously injured and are in a Teague hospital. Jim Rockey's house was completely demolished. Considerable damaged was done to homes and outbuildings on the farms of W.B. Bond, Green Miller, John Stephenson, and Ben Cockrum. Other damage was done throughout the path of the storm.

Dear editor,

“You Don’t Know Me: The Cindy Walker Songbook” is one of several musicals appearing recently in our area in this commemorative year that would have been the songwriter’s 100^th birthday. Created by Fairfield’s own Jeff Harrison, this show is a beautiful, comprehensive story of Walker’s life and career told through narrative, drama and song. When it was suggested about a year ago by Trinity Star Arts Council that Harrison help produce a tribute to Cindy Walker, it was discovered that there was no existing packaged syndicated show to purchase or lease. No plays about Cindy Walker had been written and published. Director George Boyd suggested Harrison create one himself.

After a long closure one local resident finally decided enough was enough and reopened a community landmark. Owner Keisha Woodard reopened the Crossroads Butler Store Saturday, May 5, with a community-wide celebration. Woodard and numerous family members hosted a barbecue event at the store, welcoming Butler citizens.

“We are waking Butler up from the dead,” said Woodard. “I got tired of seeing the store closed and having nowhere to go shop.”

Woodard, who grew up in the Butler community, has big plans for her small store. As a licensed real estate agent, she has set up her office in the store – a first for Butler.

“There has never been a real estate business in this area,” she said.