Fairfield Tx

The Fairfield High School cheerleaders help the crowd get ready for the Eagle football, volleyball, and cross country teams to come out of the big Eagle tunnel in Thursday night's Meet the Eagles spectacular! Fairfield residents turned out to meet the 2016-17 teams and welcome them to a new school year.

Photo by Avery Peterson

Fairfield ISD Assistant Superintendent Melissa Cox (not pictured) welcomed 10 new teachers and coaches for the 2016-17 school year last week. Pictured are (back row) Johnny Ward, J.T. Brown, Jonathan Knowles, Amanda Leland, and Paula Cessna; (front row) Kaytie Story, Misty Towles, Gina Gilliam, Paige Slovacek, and Kayla Davis. Teacher in-service began Monday, Aug. 15, for the new school year.

Photo by April Walker

A district courtroom was damaged and a local man is now undergoing a psych evaluation at an area hospital after breaking into the Freestone County Courthouse. The suspect, whose name cannnot be released at this time, is alleged to have broken in through a side door on Sunday night. Freestone County deputies, DPS officers, and other local law enforcement

<a href="http://www.etypeservices.com/Fairfield%20RecorderID278/"><span style="font-size:110%; font-family: calibri, arial, sans, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">To read the entire story, please log in or subscribe to the digital edition.</span></a></div>

Despite an unbudgeted setback with the track and field at Fairfield High School, trustees gave the go ahead to Hellas Construction to replace the track and asphalt after it was found that water damage had caused cracks under the surface. The project will cost a total of $179,800.

“It has a good base,” said Hellas representative Paul Schumer at the July 12 meeting. “Water soaked into the porous surface and water is a track's worst enemy. But the base is good and this should fix it for another 28 to 30 years.”

Hellas, who recently replaced the school's football field turf, is set to begin in the next week or so despite the fact that several sports and marching practices will need to be held. Athletic Director John Bachtel said he and the maintenance team have readied the practice field in preparation for the construction.

“This is best for the long-term interest of the district,” said Superintendent Rick Edwards.

Texanna crews were busy pouring hot mix and asphalt on Moody Street in Fairfield Monday morning. Fairfield City Administrator Jeff Looney said the company will also be working on Jefferson, Carter, Reunion, and Dogan streets next. "It's necessary, but it also makes you proud to be able to do this for the community. This is their tax dollars really at work."

Photo by April Walker

Bill Rohloff, of Community Hospital Corporation (CHC), provided the hospital board with an update at last week's meeting regarding the transition process from ETMC to Freestone Medical Center. “We have four candidates for the emergency services,” Rohloff explained. “The current Schumacher Group wants to put in another contract along with the others.”

Candidates include:

<a href="http://www.etypeservices.com/Fairfield%20RecorderID278/"><span style="font-size:110%; font-family: calibri, arial, sans, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">To read the entire story, please log in or subscribe to the digital edition.</span></a></div>

Carmen Louise Orand, 77, of Fairfield, passed away Saturday, July 9, in Tyler. She was born May 24, 1939, in Denison, to Rover Farmer and Ruby Mae Crow Farmer. She is preceded in death by: her husband, Harold (Shug) Orand; and sons, Vernon Leo Webster and Mark Anthony Webster. She is survived by: children, Paul Webster and wife, Elisa, of Teague; and Theresa Brown, of Dallas; nieces and nephews, Donna and Jerry Burch, of Burleson; Lorene Farmer, of Austin; Arlene Ruiz and Mike, of McKinney; Janice Solis and Lupe, of Itasca; Lori Crampton, Jerry Mayton, Jr. and Stacy Ricketts; eight grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; and many more family and friends.

Elaine Ezell, 60, of Fairfield, passed away Monday, July 4, in Waco. Funeral services were held at 10 a.m. Thursday, July 7, at Capps Memorial Chapel with Rev. Terry Skinner officiating. Interment followed at Chancellor-Union Cemetery. Christine Elaine Minchew Ezell was born July 1, 1956, in Mexia, to parents John and Mary Schuster Minchew. She was a graduate of Mexia High School and earned a floral design degree from TSTI in Waco. She worked for a period of time at Mexia State School and was retired from Fairfield Independent School District. She was a faithful member of Calvary Baptist Church where she was involved in the many youth programs within the church.

A local church is hosting a community forum for area residents to openly discuss concerns about recent police shootings throughout the country. All community leaders, pastors, ministers, and citizens of Fairfield and Freestone County are urged to attend this event. True Vine Doxa Center Pastor Michael Daniels, Minister Dexter Barnes, and other church members are slated to host the event at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 16, at True Vine Doxa Center, 917 S. Hwy 75 in Fairfield. Attendees will have an opportunity to openly discuss concerns, as well as how to continue to maintain unity and peace in the area.