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Teague Chronicle
TISD preparing for upcoming school year
The Teague ISD school board met on Tuesday, June 25, to continue preparing for the upcoming school year this fall. All board members were present except for Brian Bowers. Administrators reported that summer school and boot camps were coming to an end and that they were trying to get all of their positions filled for the upcoming school year. Director of Operations Craig Carpenter resigned as well so TISD is looking for someone to take over that position. The board approved paying the current bills totaling $456,449.85. The 2024-25 budget was approved as well after a five-minute public hearing was held. A 3% raise was...
Nine area girls compete at Miss Texas Teen
, Nine area girls competed in the Miss Texas Teen competition this past week, June 23-29, at the Eisemann Performance Center in Richardson and brought back multiple honors. In addition to those nine, there were 16 youngsters who attended as Texas Lone Star Princesses. The girls stayed at the Renaissance Hotel in Richardson all week. The nine contestants competed in private interview, health and fitness, talent, evening gown, and onstage conversation. “As a small-town girl that has watched the Miss Texas competition her entire life as well as attending the past seven years, you could never have convinced me that I would one day...
Teague’s only pharmacy closes its doors
, A longtime business in Teague closed its doors last Friday. Pharmacy Plus, originally Teague City Drug, ceased operation after more than 80 years in business last week. Store owner and operator Tommy Neale said that business has suffered in recent years. “The business has been in decline for several years,” Neale said. “We were also unable to get some third-party contracts that we badly needed. The third-party contracts with the two biggest employers in Teague - BNSF Railroad and Teague ISD - were denied. We lost a lot of business after that. Third-party reimbursements have fallen to such a low level...
Commissioners hear complaint about drag races near Cotton Gin
, , During the public comments portion of the Freestone County Commissioners Court’s June 20 meeting, county resident William Shelton spoke about a piece of property in Cotton Gin that was recently purchased by Texas House of Power, a company that hosts large-scale drag racing events. In the last 30 days, the company has hosted two of these events, Shelton said, with attendance approaching a thousand people each time. The infrastructure in Cotton Gin can’t support that kind of event, Shelton said. The citizens of Cotton Gin have concerns that center around three principal areas, Shelton said: public safety, public health and public...
94th Annual 4th of July Rodeo July 4-6
The 94th Annual Teague 4th of July Rodeo will take place Thursday, July 4 through Saturday, July 6, with rodeo performances beginning at 8 p.m. each night. Adult tickets (12 and over) are $10. Kids 12 and under get in for free courtesy of Mike Terry. Kids must pick up a ticket from 3W Truck Beds, Deja Vu, Citizens State Bank, Freestone Credit Union, or Prosperity Bank in Teague or Mike Terry Dealership in Mexia. “The heritage of the Teague Rodeo is really special. Generations upon generations have attended this rodeo and have many stories to tell. It is just three very special...
Teague EMS celebrates new headquarters
William Flippen remembers Teague EMS’s previous headquarters. “The old station wasn’t designed to be an EMS station,” he said. “It was a communications building that was converted into EMS headquarters. We were in there for more than 20 years, but we grew out of it.” Flippen, the director of Teague EMS, and his colleagues now have a new home away from home. The medics are in a new building, which was complete in March. Last month, Teague EMS celebrated its new headquarters with a ribbon cutting with the Teague Chamber of Commerce. The new headquarters, located at the intersection of US Highway 84 and North 8th Street, is designed to be an EMS station. “We have a wash room, sleeping quarters, dining area, offices, kitchen and IT,” Flippen said. According to Flippen, the project took two years to complete with planning and construction. The planning phase took approximately 18 months, while the groundbreaking and construction took approximately six months. Flippen began his EMS career in Teague as a paramedic in 2005. He left in 2013 to pursue another opportunity, but returned as the director in 2017. “This is where I started, and I always wanted to come back,” Flippen said.
Newhouse crowned Miss Freestone County
Madison Newhouse was crowned Miss Freestone County on Tuesday evening, June 11, at the Miss Freestone County Pageant at the Fairfield High School Auditorium. She won a $750 scholarship and was also named Miss Congeniality. Newhouse graduated as the Valedictorian of the Wortham High School Class of 2024. She plans to attend The University of Texas at Tyler to obtain her Bachelors in Communication Sciences and Disorders. Newhouse wants to get her Master’s and become a Pediatric Speech Pathologist. She currently works at Serenity Spa/Madison’s Loft. At WHS, Newhouse was involved in FCA, National Honor Society, FCCLA, Student Council, Cheer, Band, Volleyball, Basketball,...
County says it cannot re-open road for landlocked landowner
Freestone County Commissioners Court turned down a request from a landlocked property owner to re-open the end of County Road 1131 so she could access her land. The court made this move at its June 5 meeting, when the commissioners also told a construction company to put up bonds on roads it would cross; took a discretionary exemption on obtaining bids to rebuild a bridge; approved the annual bid list; and made other decisions concerning the county’s finances and well-being. Austin resident Marilyn Hardy, who is the majority owner of a landlocked property in Freestone County, attended the meeting to request that...
Youngsters crowned at Pageant
Nine girls were crowned as 2024 Freestone County Royalty on Saturday, June 8, in the Miss Freestone County Children’s Pageant. A total of 60 girls competed in the children’s pageant. Brynn Baker won the title of Infant Miss Freestone County. 1st Runner-up was Adeline Jo Perez, 2nd Runner- up - Makaiah Emmons, and 3rd Runner-up - Kallie Myers. Also competing were Annistyn Langley, Kaislyn Lelati, and Gracelyn Lascano. Baby Miss Freestone County is Everlee Duarte. 1st Runner-up was Burklee Smith, 2nd Runner-up Memphis Randall, 3rd Runner-up - Gemma Fryer, and 4th Runner-up - Emerie Pohland. Also competing were Lakelynn Zeidler, Indie Griffin-Wheeler,...
Dew ISD names Reynolds lone Supt. finalist
Dew ISD’s Board of Trustees unanimously voted on Thursday, June 6, at a called board meeting to name Mr. Kent Reynolds as Lone Finalist for the position of Superintendent. Per state law, there will be a 21-day waiting period before Reynolds can officially be hired as superintendent. Reynolds retired from 15 years as Hallsburg ISD’s superintendent in 2021. His wife, Hollye, also retired from education as a teacher in Groesbeck ISD in 2019. They have one daughter, Hailye, who is currently serving with the U.S. Coast Guard with her husband Luke. Hailye and Luke welcomed their first daughter in January. “I...
Jones competes in ag mech competition
Lucky Jones, who will be a sophomore at Teague High School this fall, competed in the Freestone County Fair Ag Mechanics competition on Monday, June 10, with a lamb and goat stand that he made. This was his first year to compete in the Ag Mechanics competition. He placed third in the farm/ranch equipment division. The past five years, Lucky has shown a goat at the Freestone County Fair. He also competes in Land Judging and Chapter Conducting for Teague FFA. He competes in football and track for the Lions as well. “Showing goats, being in Ag Mechanics and FFA over the years has taught me a lot about independence and working hard,” Jones said. “It has also taught me about teamwork and allowing others to help me along the way.” Lucky is the son of Tiffany Jones. When asked what his favorite part of the Freestone County Fair was, Jones said, “I love all the shows and the rodeos. They are just fun to watch.”
Randle ready for Freestone County Fair
The 2024 Freestone County Fair is next week, June 10-15, at the W.L. Moody Reunion Fairgrounds in Fairfield. Tylin Randle, who is a 2024 graduate of Teague High School, is ready to show his market swine at his last Freestone County Fair. “I am excited that I get to show one more year at the Freestone County Fair,” Randle said. “I didn’t make the sale last year so I have been working harder to make my pig better this year.” Randle has been showing since he was in the eighth grade so this is his fifth Freestone County Fair to compete in....
TISD honors faculty/staff with EOY breakfast
, , The Teague ISD faculty and staff were honored during an end of the year breakfast on Friday, May 24, at the Teague High School cafeteria. Shalandria Gullette was honored as the 2023-2024 Teague ISD Teacher of the Year. The 2023-24 Employees of the Year went to Crystal Adams and Wayne Williams. Two employees will be enjoying their retirement this upcoming school year and were presented with a rocking chair. Pat Cothran retired after 28 years with TISD. Heidy Shields is ending her teaching career after 22 years at TISD and three years at Mexia ISD. Crystal Adams, Cheyenne Brooke, Leslie Croft, Casey Hankins,...
Freeco girls prepare for Miss Freestone Pageant
, , , , , , , , , A total of 81 girls registered to compete in the 2024 Miss Freestone County Pageant. The Children’s Pageant will be held Saturday, June 8, starting at 9 am. The Miss Freestone County Pageant will be held on Tuesday, June 11, at 7 p.m. Both will be at the Fairfield High School Auditorium and admission is $5, both days. The Infant Miss, Baby Miss, and Toddler Miss will compete at 9 a.m. on Saturday. Competing in the Infant Miss are Kallie Myers, Adeline Jo Perez, Annistyn Langley, Kaislyn Lelati, Makaiah Emmons, Brynn Baker, and...
TISD school board members take oath of office
Three Teague ISD school board members took their oath of office during the Tuesday, May 21, TISD school board meeting. Debra Lawrence and Brian Bowers were not present for the meeting. Vicki Dimiceli - Place 5, Jason Hullum - Place 6, and Justin Lee - Place 7 took their oath of office to remain on the TISD school board. They had no opponents so there was no election. Officers on the board will remain the same as President Jeff Gonzals, Vice President Debra Lawrence, and Secretary Lovie Whyte. Parent Brandon Lehrmann addressed the board concerning his daughter’s grades. According to Lehrman, although she had...
Commish extends disaster declaration
Freestone County Commissioners voted to extend the Declaration of Local State of Disaster initiated by Judge Grant regarding the series of storms that began on April 26 and have continued for several weeks. The court members approved this extension at their May 20 meeting, when they also updated the county’s drug testing policy; agreed to have the county’s insurance broker come in so they could find out any changes to the county’s employee health insurance; and made other decisions regarding the county’s finances and well-being. As for the disaster declaration, Judge Grant made the initial declaration on May 16, but the declaration...
THS Class of 2024 graduates
A total of 90 students walked the stage on Friday afternoon during the Teague High School Commencement Exercises at Lion Stadium. The ceremony was scheduled to start at 8 p.m., but moved up to 4 p.m. because of the weather. Following the processional by the Teague High School Band, Keely Mathis delivered the invocation and Destiny Black sang the National Anthem. Senior Class President Anayeli Bailon gave a speech prior to Teague High School Principal Monte Shields giving the review of the scholarships. Aspyn Perry delivered her Salutatorian speech, and Declan Smith followed with his Valedictorian speech. Shields then presented the Class of 2024, while Teague ISD Superintendent Chris Skinner accepted. School Board President Jeff Gonzales and School Board Vice-President Debra Lawrence handed out diplomas to the graduates. Omar Perez gave the benediction followed by the playing of the Alma Mater and Fight Song by the THS Band. The graduates then threw their hats in the air and celebrated with family and friends.
Pranger named City Secretary/Office Manager
, After nearly two hours in executive session covering five different matters, Gay Pranger was named the City of Teague City Secretary/Office Manager on Monday night, May 20, at the monthly City of Teague Board of Aldermen meeting. Pranger comes to Teague after serving as the City of Coolidge’s City Secretary for the past 15 years. The board approved paying Pranger a yearly salary of $60,000. “I am very excited. It will be a new beginning for me,” Pranger said following the meeting on Monday night. “I will be moving from a Type B City to a Type A City. However, I...
Suspect charged in connection with Ramos murder
A Fairfield man has been charged in connection with the murder of Denise Lissette Ramos, 22. Julian Jefferson, 20, has been charged with capital murder. Jefferson, who is stationed at a naval base in California, is currently in federal custody on a charge for a crime unrelated to Ramos’ murder. Ramos, also of Fairfield, did not show up to her job on March 28. A welfare check performed by the Fairfield Police Department led to the residence of 800 Clark St., where Ramos’ body was found. FPD worked with the Texas Rangers, DPS and NCIS (Naval Criminal Investigative Services) to uncover evidence that linked Jefferson to Ramos’ death. He is awaiting extradition to Texas for his capital murder trial.
FM 80 in Teague closed due to needed railroad repairs
FM 80 at the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corporation (BNSF) Crossing (DOT# 597189L) is currently closed for the railroad to complete needed repairs of a railroad culvert. The closure is expected to last until Friday, May 31, to allow the RR time for the repairs. Detours for the closure of FM 80 are noted below. • FM 80 Northbound traffic will detour east on FM 489 to FM 1451 North towards Teague. • FM 80 Southbound traffic will detour south on FM 1451 towards Donie to FM 489 west back to FM 80. To alert drivers, advance portable changeable message signs will be placed ahead of the closure. Drivers should utilize drivetexas. org, plan alternate routes or utilize the detour routes during this close. For more information, contact Bobby.Colwell@txdot.gov or (979) 778-9764.
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