Freestone County Texas

Billie Carroll Brim

August 7, 1945

February 2, 2019

After owning the Barn Stop for nine years, Jolly and Pinky Walia joined the Fairfield Chamber of Commerce and celebrated with a ribbon cutting last Friday. The Walia’s own two other convenience stores in Fairfield: the Short Stop and the newly-renovated Jolly’s. The Barn Stop offers a variety of food dishes, including catfish, burgers, burritos, and more. Barn Stop, 440 E. Commerce in Fairfield, is open from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Call in your order at 903-389-5511.

February 6, 1930

Grand Jury Returns Indictment For Murder Of Monroe Higgins – The 87th Grand Jury returned an indictment charging Earl Williford with murder of Monroe Higgins, negro found dead in Cottonwood Creek recently. The Grand Jury also returned an indictment against Williford charging him with violating the prohibition law. Judge Boyd granted $1,500 bail in the murder case and $1,000 in the liquor case.

Sharon Lynn (Jonas) Young

November 3, 1959

February 2, 2019

D.A. Bonner

March 17, 1930

February 1, 2019

A new set of jurors serving on the Freestone County Grand Jury indicted 16 individuals Wednesday, Jan. 30, on various charges including possession, DWI, and family violence.

Indictments include:

Cole’s BBQ has been named February’s Business of the Month by Fairfield Chamber of Commerce officials. Ben Cooper purchased the existing store in September 2016 from Mark and Irene Cole. Mark’s father, Monte, opened the barbecue joint more than 30 years ago. Cooper still uses the recipes – handwritten by Monte – for his side dishes and famous barbecue sauce.

The restaurant serves a typical barbecue menu with a few twists on old favorites.

“Our most popular dish right now is the brisket grilled cheese,” said Cooper.

A lone finalist has been named for the Fairfield ISD superintendent position. The district has been advertising this since late 2018. Dr. Jason Adams has a state-mandated 21-day waiting period before he can officially be hired in Fairfield. He is currently the superintendent of North Lamar ISD in Paris and his career spans more than 22 years with stops in Madisonville, Huntington, Kerens, and Paris. He has served these districts in the capacity as teacher, coach, high school principal, and superintendent. Dr. Adams received his bachelor’s degree from Sam Houston State University, and completed his doctorate at the University of Arkansas. Dr. Adams, along with his wife, Crystal, and son, Kolby, are excited about becoming active members of the Eagle

Commissioners approved the bid process for a bridge over Batsmith Creek in northeastern Freestone County at the Jan. 30 meeting. The 24-by-50 bridge will be built on County Road 253 in the Antioch community where the creek passes under the road in Commissioner Andy Bonner’s precinct.

The area where the bridge will be constructed has been damaged by flooding over the last few months. There is currently a culvert allowing drainage into the creek below. Bonner was unavailable for comment as of presstime Tuesday. Bonner was also given the go-ahead to purchase a backhoe with Sourcewell – a price-competitive website similar to BuyBoard, from which the county usually makes large purchases. The JCB backhoe will be purchased from Austin Turf and Tractor through Sourcewell.

Rumors that Fairfield Lake will be drained have thrived with the February 2018 closing of Big Brown, but a representative with Luminant says the rumors are not true.

“I hope I can clear up some misinformation,” said Meranda Cohn, Director of Media Relations with Vistra Energy, in an email interview. “No, there are no plans to drain the lake.”

Luminant, a subsidiary of Vistra Energy, closed the location after dropping natural gas prices forced the company to shut down the mine. Big Brown is currently still being decommissioned.