Choose your location
Teague Chronicle
FairField HS graduate Mendez
Adrianna Mendez is an intern at The Teague Chronicle she received her internship through the University of North Texas Scripps Howard Fund Emerging Journalist Foundation. The program is for upcoming High School juniors, seniors, and freshmen college students. It started on June 11 with a workshop on the UNT campus. The students had to work in groups to make a multimedia package and had to present to peers and family at the graduation lunch which was on June 15. Leaving the students to have three full days to make the package. At the graduation lunch, students were informed what internship that they...
FMC receives nomination for Most Beautiful Hospital award
Freestone Medical Center in Fairfield is one of 50 hospitals nationwide nominated in an “America’s Most Beautiful Hospital” contest. Freestone Medical Center was voted for providing exemplary services to its local community. Their calling card is “Neighbors Caring for Neighbors”, a statement they take seriously. The hospital was founded 76 years ago by three doctors passionate about providing healthcare to the surrounding areas, and the hospital serves as the lifeblood of the local community. The “20 Most Beautiful Hospitals” contest is sponsored by top national healthcare staffing firm Soliant. The program recognizes hospitals for their commitment to developing and improving their campuses, facilities...
Ovalle bros show Ag Mechanics projects
Brothers Kaedyn and Keatyn Ovalle were both excited to be showing in the 2023 Freestone County Ag Mechanics Show on Monday, June 12, at the W.L. Moody Reunion Fairgrounds in Fairfield. Kaedyn grabbed first place and Keatyn took second place in the farm/ ranch equipment division. Kadeyn designed a round hay bale feeder and Keatyn designed a feeding through for their commercial heifers. The boys show their commercial heifers during the Freestone County Show in November. Both boys are members of the Freestone Community 4-H. The brothers will be showing chickens for the first time this week as well. “I learned that I...
Tips on helping livestock survive the summer heat
The best place to be when the sweltering summer weather arrives is inside with air conditioning, yet livestock outside of air-conditioned barns often need other ways to beat the heat. Dr. Isabelle Louge, a clinical assistant professor at the Texas A&M School of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, says that while all livestock can cool down using shade, water, and fans, cooling strategies for livestock vary depending on the species and breed. For example, shade is a common way to provide animals relief from the sun, but some benefit from the shade more than others. “Access to shade particularly helps light-skinned animals from...
Five Freestone County girls compete at Miss Texas
, , Five Freestone County girls competed in the Miss Texas competition June 24 through July 1 at the Renaissance Hotel in Richardson. Competing in the Miss Texas competition was Makensy Isaacs. Competing in the Miss Texas Teen competition were Kayden Dallas, Makenna Eppes, Marissa Eppes and Kenady Morris. The girls started their competition with a private interview, which was 30% of their score. They went on to compete in the health and fitness portion, talent, on stage question, and evening gown. When all was said and done, Miss Tarrant County Ellie Breaux was crowned Miss Texas 2023. There were more than 50 people...
Faith Fellowship plans men’s breakfast
A special men’s breakfast is planned this coming Saturday morning at the newly formed Faith Fellowship Baptist Church in Fairfield. The men of FFBC will be preparing a full breakfast menu and are encouraging all men from Fairfield and the surrounding area to attend. The morning will begin at 7 a.m. with the meal and a time of fellowship for those attending. A brief devotional by Brother Lonnie Elliott will follow with the event planned to end around 8:30 a.m. “We’re excited about all the great things happening at Faith Fellowship,” Elliott stated. “We believe this will be a great opportunity for men of all ages to come together for a time of fellowship and prayer. If you know someone who may not be attending church somewhere, bring them with you as everyone is invited. We hope the response to this first event will lead to a monthly gathering.” Faith Fellowship Baptist Church is located at 814 W. Interstate 45 in Fairfield in the old Marathon/Clariant building. For more information, please contact Lonnie Elliott at 903388-5886.
Teague Rodeo begins tonight
The 93rd Annual Teague 4th of July Rodeo will take place Thursday, June 29 through Saturday, July 1, 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, Citizens State Bank, Deja Vu, or Mike Terry 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 nights where memories are made,” Teague Rodeo Association President Brandon...
FC commissioners object to TPWD’s ‘land grab’
, , Freestone County Commissioners disagree with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department for trying to condemn Fairfield Lake and the land around it after a businessman bought the land and began developing it. Consequently, they are working on a letter to TPWD, expressing their objections, a copy of which they plan to send to Gov. Greg Abbott and others. The commissioners agreed at their June 21 meeting to write the letter to TPWD, when they also agreed to pursue a new culvert policy, leave the burn ban off for now, apply for a grant for new bullet-proof vests; and made...
Ag Mechanics show a hit during Freestone County Fair Week
, , , , There were a total of 17 projects in the 2023 Freestone County Ag Mechanic Show on Monday, June 12, to kick-off the fair week. Blake Phillips, Adan Espinoza, River Bonds, Lillian Poole, Connor Petty, and Cale Myers of Fairfield FFA won Grand Champion honors with their 36 foot gooseneck trailer. The team also won Grand Champion Senior Showmanship. Zain Fitzgerald, Daniel Beldin, James Barrentine, and Garrett Barkouski of Teague FFA won Reserve Champion honors with their 24 foot gooseneck trailer. The team also won Reserve Champion Senior Showmanship. Keatyn Ovalle of Freestone County 4-H won Grand Champion Junior Showmanship...
City approves TPD cadet program
Aspiring police officers can get the training they need through the Teague Police Department. The City of Teague approved a measure that will allow non-certified individuals to be hired as cadets for the TPD during the monthly meeting on June 12. The Police Cadet Program will provide training and employment opportunities for non-certified individuals who would otherwise be qualified candidates for being hired as police officers. The city bears the cost of tuition, equipment, uniforms, and pays individuals a salary to attend a Basic Peace Officer Academy. Upon graduation and passing the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement examination, individuals will be transitioned to a full time Peace Officer with TPD. In other matters, city aldermen approved the fulltime hiring of Jerry Reel at the rate of $16 per hour. Reel works with the city’s streets department. Aldermen Jerry Ballew, Timothy Campbell and Bridget Gauntt were present, while aldermen Lois Mims and Garlan Steed were absent. Mayor David Huffman also was absent from the meeting. The city held an emergency meeting on Wednesday to discuss insurance rates for the 2023-24 fiscal year.
Skinner named Region 12 Supt of the
Teague ISD Superintendent Christopher Skinner has been named the 2023 Region 12 Superintendent of the Year and regional nominee for the Texas Superintendent of the Year. Skinner has served as superintendent of Teague ISD since 2017 and previously as a principal and director of facilities and transportation during the last 13 years. Teague ISD has three campuses and is home to 1,215 students in Freestone County. Before joining TISD, Skinner worked in Dew ISD, for the Texas Correctional Industries, and at Sam Houston State University. The longtime Teague Lion and his parents are also graduates of Teague High School. “We are pleased to...
TPWD to use eminent domain on Fairfield Lake SP
The fight to keep Fairfield Lake State Park open for public use is still alive. During a special-called meeting last Saturday, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission authorized Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) to file a petition for condemnation for the purpose of pursuing acquisition at fair market value of approximately 5,000 acres in Freestone County to preserve Fairfield Lake State Park and Fairfield Lake for public use. This decision comes just one week after the park closed to the public on June 4, just three days after Dallas-based developer Todd Interests finalized its purchase of the property from its...
County auditor preparing to request bids on needed supplies
Freestone County Commissioners Court heard from the County Auditor which supplies for the upcoming fiscal year are expected to cost more than $50,000 and will therefore require going out for bids. That happened at the June 7 meeting, when the commissioners also were updated on plans for the courthouse remodeling, accepted a grant for safety equipment for the Sheriff’s Office, and made other decisions concerning the county’s finances and well-being. As for the supplies, County Auditor Karen Craddock told the court that the only supplies that will require going out for bids are road and base materials, bulk fuel and solid waste....
Fairfield Lake SP
Fairfield Lake State Park is closed to the public. The park closed on Sunday, June 4, at 10 p.m. The park was open for day use visitation while Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) and its commissioners took persistent and extraordinary steps to negotiate with Todd Interests, which purchased the property from Vistra Corp. TPWD extended a formal offer that totaled $25 million as incentive for Todd Interests to relinquish its contract, which would have allowed TPWD to purchase the park from Vistra. Todd Interests rejected that offer. “Texas Parks and Wildlife Commissioners continue to pursue options for saving Fairfield Lake State Park, including...
TPD makes arrests, recovers stolen vehicle
The last few days have been eventful, to say the least, for the Teague Police Department. Officers from the department made several arrests last Friday and recovered a stolen vehicle on Tuesday. No arrests have been made in connection with the stolen vehicle as of press time. Monday afternoon, TPD received a report of a stolen vehicle from a local business. The vehicle was stolen between 2:50 and 4:30 p.m. Tuesday morning, officers received information from the public and victim in this case. The information gave officers a possible location of the stolen vehicle. The location was checked and the vehicle was positively identified...
TISD preparing for 2023-24 school year
, As the 2022-23 school year came to an end, the Teague ISD administrators and school board were already preparing for the 2023-24 school year. All board members were present at the May 23 meeting. Debra Lawrence and Lovie Whyte took their oath of office to continue serving on the school board. There was no election because both were running unopposed. The board remains the same with Jeff Gonzales as President, Lawrence as Vice President, and Lovie as Secretary. Members include Brian Bowers, Jason Hullum, Vicki Dimiceli, and Justin Lee. The fourth graders will be housed in two portable buildings this upcoming school...
THS graduates 88 at Friday night ceremony
, , , , , , , , , The weather was perfect last Friday night at the graduation ceremony for 88 members of the Teague High School Class of 2023, held at Lion Stadium. The Teague High School Band played “Pomp and Circumstance” as the graduates walked onto the football field as students for the final time. After an invocation by senior Riley Bohl, the crowd of students and their families sang the national anthem, led by THS teacher Destiny Black. Senior Class President Miriam Diaz welcomed attendees, and THS Principal Monte Shields gave a review of scholarships and awards earned by the graduates. Next came speeches from Salutatorian Anthony Dimiceli and Valedictorian Leslie Vaughn. Principal Shields made the presentation of the class, and TISD Superintendent Chris Skinner formally accepted the class. Students were then called to the stage one by one to receive their diplomas from TISD School Board President Jeff Gonzales. After a benediction from newly minted graduate Lexi Marek, the ceremony ended with the Teague High School Band playing the alma mater and fight song.
Teague Lion Academy celebrates 19 graduates
, , , , A total of 19 graduates of the Teague Lion Academy Class of 2023 were honored at commencement ceremonies Thursday night in the auditorium of Teague High School. After a greeting from Principal Ginger Self, graduate Logan Silva gave the invocation. A welcome address was offered by graduate Emily Cavin, and Mrs. Self returned to the podium to formally address the class. This was followed by a speech from Aly Arrezola. A slide show was presented by Michelle and Raeanna Burns. Award presentations followed, with Evareli Media earning the “Heart of a Lion” award, and Aly Arrezola earning “Student of the...
Mid-year update on county agriculture agents
AgriLife District Extension Administrator Donald Kelm gave his mid-year update to Freestone County Commissioners at their May 17 meeting, listing the activities over the past six months of A&M Extension Agent Erin Davis and Prairie View Extension Agent Omari Muhammad. “There are a lot of good things going on in Freestone County,” Kelm said. The top commodities in Freestone County are beef and forage (hay) “by a long shot,” he said, “and then you have peaches and vegetables, broilers and wildlife (hunting).” The following is a summary of 4-H activities; and recent and upcoming adult agriculture training. FREESTONE COUNTY 4-H PROGRAM The Freestone County 4-H...
Teague’s top two students staying close to home
, Teague High School’s top two students are both heading to central Texas colleges, one to Baylor University in Waco and one to the University of Texas at Austin. Valedictorian and future Baylor Bear Leslie Vaughn is the daughter of Ashley and Austin Vaughn. Salutatorian and future Texas Longhorn Anthony Dimiceli is the son of Nathan and Vicki Dimiceli and Shari and Matt Underhill. The two students are separated by one one-hundredth of a point, with Miss Vaughn earning a final average of 104.36, and Dimiceli a 104.35. Miss Vaughn intends to major in political science and plans to become an attorney. While in...
Welcome to NewsBreak, an open platform where diverse perspectives converge. Most of our content comes from established publications and journalists, as well as from our extensive network of tens of thousands of creators who contribute to our platform. We empower individuals to share insightful viewpoints through short posts and comments. It’s essential to note our commitment to transparency: our Terms of Use acknowledge that our services may not always be error-free, and our Community Standards emphasize our discretion in enforcing policies. We strive to foster a dynamic environment for free expression and robust discourse through safety guardrails of human and AI moderation. Join us in shaping the news narrative together.