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Teague Chronicle
County to pay emergency medical transport insurance for employees
, Freestone County Commissioners Court learned about an add-on to the county employee health insurance that will include emergency medical transport and agreed to pay the cost for employees. The commissioners made that decision at their Monday, Aug. 21, meeting, when they also approved paying for EForce and renewing a contract for records imaging. ANCO Insurance Vice President Brian Stallones attended Monday’s meeting to explain how the insurance covers both air ambulance flights and ground ambulance service. Stallones said this add-on is done through MASA insurance, which covers emergency transport costs that the regular insurance does not cover. The cost of a regular ambulance...
Commish responds to TPWD
Freestone County commissioners responded to a letter from a top Texas Parks and Wildlife Department official last week. TPWD executive director David Yoskowitz wrote a letter to Freestone commissioners and county judge Linda Grant accusing them of “wanting eminent domain use” to save Fairfield Lake State Park. The letter, which was written by Fairfield attorney Jacob Rankin, points out that several false statements were made by Yoskowitz. “The Freestone County Commissioners are disappointed with respect to some of the false statements made in your letter mentioned above which has resulted in ridicule, and has also misled the good citizens of Freestone County,”...
TISD to start school Aug. 16
Teague ISD faculty and staff returned to school on Wednesday, Aug. 9. Students will return for the first day of classes next Wednesday, Aug. 16. “I’m excited about Teague, beyond excited about Teague. I am filled with anticipation for the upcoming school year and everything it represents for Teague,” TISD Superintendent Chris Skinner said. “The strong partnerships between the community and school, the meaningful connections between teachers and students, and the camaraderie among staff members reflect our shared commitment to a common goal. This level of unity is rare in today’s society, and it sets Teague apart, forming our unique identity. With...
Popular DPS Trooper passes
Sara Warren was a staple in Freestone and Navarro counties. The DPS Trooper was affectionately known as “Seatbelt Sara.” Warren often volunteered to do safety belt and safety seat checks to make sure the citizens she served were buckled up for safety. Warren, 51, passed away on Wednesday, Aug. 2, after a five-year battle with cancer. She resided in Dawson at the time of her death. Warren served in the US Army from 1990-98. After her time in the Army was complete, she began working in Navarro and Freestone counties with the Department of Public Safety as a Trooper. On the Freestone County Sheriff’s...
Spat over bridge likely to lead to lawsuit
, A dispute between a property owner in Freestone County and the county itself over who is responsible for the maintenance of a rickety bridge the people must cross to get to their property appears to be heading for a lawsuit. The dispute has been going on since 2008 but spilled into Commissioners Court’s Aug. 2 meeting, where property owner Vickie Krajca had Dallas attorney Thomas M. Whelan on video phone attempting to convince the court that the bridge near the end of CR 533 is still the responsibility of the county and the county needs to repair it. Vickie Krajca and...
Teague students earn recognition
, Five students were honored at the Teague ISD school board meeting on Tuesday evening, Aug. 1, for accomplishments that they earned over the summer. All board members were present except for President Jeff Gonzales. Vice President Debra Lawrence presided over the meeting. Alexis McKain, Leynie Horton, Karlie Paris, and James Ingram were recognized for receiving their FFA Lone Star Degree at the state convention. Claudia Zamora was also honored for bringing home second place from the Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) Nationals competition in health career photography. TISD Superintendent Chris Skinner presented the Student Code of Conduct to the board. Recent legislation mandates...
County votes ‘yes’ to no outof- pocket insurance
Freestone County employees will likely be pleased to learn that the new health insurance provided by the county will have an effective zero-dollar out-of-pocket expenses. The zero deductible is “effectively” so because the company will provide each employee covered by its United Healthcare insurance with a loaded VISA card to pay the $5,000 deductible for in-network coverage, thereby costing the employees nothing, no deductible and no copays, except for specialty drugs. The commissioners made this decision at their Thursday, July 27, meeting. The only requirement for the no-deductible is to complete an initial health assessment conducted with ANCO, through a Zoom meeting. The court...
BTW/JAB Alumni Association awards five with scholarships
The Booker T. Washington/J.A. Brooks Alumni Association awarded five scholarships this year to a graduating High School African American Senior of Teague High and/or a descendant of Booker T. Washington/ J.A. Brooks Alumni. The following high school seniors were awarded scholarships: *Hannah Muhammad graduated from Teague High School. She is the granddaughter of Robert D. Henderson, Class of 1963. *Ty’Ariah Mims graduated from Teague High School. She is a descendant of Ruth Johnson, attended during the 1950s. *Kei’Niya Thornton graduated from Mexia High School. She is a descendant of Annie Joe High Jones, Class of 1953. *Aniya Brow graduated from Clear Brook High School (Houston). She is the granddaughter of L.C. and Ida Scott, Class of 1964. *Sydney Henderson graduated from Mount Miguel High School (Spring Valley, CA). She is the granddaughter of Gloria Beck Hunter, Class of 1964. To learn more about the Booker T. Washington/J.A. Brooks Alumni Association, visit their website at www.btwjabalumni. org and or follow them on Facebook at BTW-JAB Alumni Association. The Alumni Association will be celebrating their 40th School Reunion here in Teague on Aug. 4–6.
‘Twists and Turns’ VBS coming to FFBC
There will be ‘Twists and Turns’ this Saturday as Faith Fellowship Baptist Church holds their first Vacation Bible School for area kids! Children from four years of age through sixth grade will be entertained throughout the day with numerous activities planned. Games, crafts, recreation, music and Bible study will fill their day as they move throughout the different classrooms. ‘Twist and Turns’ VBS is a fantastic celebration of how following Jesus changes the game. Spin the spinner, beat the clock, skip ahead, level up and play to win. Kids will have fun with games while learning that Jesus guides us through all the...
Commissioners set new tax rate for upcoming fiscal year
, , Freestone County Commissioners tentatively proposed the new tax rate for the upcoming fiscal year at their Friday, July 28, meeting at $0.3219 per $100 of property evaluation. The proposed rate is just below the maximum rate the county may charge without voter approval, which is $0.321915, but still well below the current tax rate of $0.3700. County Tax Assessor- Collector Dan Ralstin gave the commissioners that maximum tax rate and also told the court the tax rate that would produce approximately the same amount of revenue as last year, which would be $0.309005. The total certified value of properties in Freestone...
TPWD responds to Freestone County Commissioners, Judge as construction on Freestone Lake & Golf Club continues
, Officials from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department recently responded to a letter from Freestone County commissioners and Judge Linda Grant. The letter expressed “disappointment” and “surprise” in the county officials’ decision to oppose eminent domain on the 5,000-acre property where Fairfield Lake State Park was located. Freestone County officials wrote their letter of opposition on June 21, and TPWD executive director Dr. David Yoskowitz penned his response on July 21. “After months of outspoken support from Freestone County officials for the state park and specifically the use of eminent domain to save it, your letter was a surprise and a...
City of Teague seeking grant for splash pad
The City of Teague Board of Aldermen hosted two special called meetings this past week to look at purchasing a splash pad for the City of Teague Park on Eighth Avenue. There are two options that the City of Teague is reviewing. The first option is for $360,741.24 and the second option is for $354,964.88. The first special called meeting was held on Monday night, July 24. The board approved a conversion from Fundview to Caselle Professional Services for the utility billing system for the City of Teague. The new system saves the City of Teague approximately $12,020 annually. All aldermen approved the...
Rural grant to provide $350K for county
A recently passed state bill to help rural counties cover the cost of paying sheriffs, deputies, jailers, constables and county attorneys is expected to bring Freestone County $350,000. That bill is SB 22, which was passed by a conference committee on June 7, and will award grants to provide financial assistance to rural counties for law enforcement costs. According to the bill, counties with populations between 10,000 and 50,000, such as Freestone, may apply with the state comptroller for $350,000. The grant takes effect Sept. 1 and must be applied for by Oct. 30. Smaller counties would be eligible for less money,...
Air ambulance not available for inmates
, , , During last Wednesday’s commissioner’s court meeting were two people concerning Air Evac Lifeteam, explaining why the company could not provide air ambulance service for county inmates. Vee Davis, membership sales manager, and Von Aday, area director of Air Medcare Network, which oversees Air Evac, explained that there were only three seats in the helicopters used in transporting patients, that of the pilot, a flight paramedic and a flight nurse; and there is no room for a jail guard. Sheriff Jeremy Shipley, however, said that an armed guard would be required for all inmates. County Judge Linda Grant asked if...
Teague VFD receives $10,000 from Anthony Bobrow Trust
, , The Teague Volunteer Fire Department again thanks the Anthony Bobrow Trust, formed by 1957 Teague High School graduate Anthony (Tony) Bobrow, for continuing its annual donation of $10,000 for the fourth year. Tony died in 2018 at 78, leaving his entire Estate to the Trust. “With this, and other already planned donations, the totals in Teague since 2018 are more than $350,000,” Trustee Dan Cutrer, a Dallas attorney who worked with Tony since the early 80’s, said. “With Covid there were more crisis situations; we increased the Trust contributions to over $90,000 in 2022. Tony and I talked at...
Teague athletes to begin practice Monday
, The Teague Lions will be hitting the field and the Lady Lions will be hitting the court on Monday morning, July 31, to kick-off the 2023-24 school year. FOOTBALL The football team will practice from 7:30-10 a.m. as well as 6:30-7:45 p.m. The evenings will be walk-thrus and meetings. There will only be a morning practice on Wednesday. “We are very excited to get the new season underway,” Head Coach Zachary Linscomb said. “Our guys have been working extremely hard since January and we are excited to see the progress we have made as a team.” When asked what his goal was this season,...
Authorities investigate death of KNES staff member
Authorities are investigating the death of a 47-year-old Fairfield woman who died Monday, July 10, after treatments at a Wortham spa. Jenifer Cleveland was receiving a procedure at Luxe Med Spa when she became ill, according to reports. An EMS crew from Mexia responded and performed CPR on her at the scene and until they arrived at Parkview Hospital in Mexia. Cleveland’s body has been sent to Dallas for autopsy. A preliminary report is expected in about three weeks, but the official report could take up to three months, according to authorities. According to authorities, Amber Johnson, who owns Luxe Med Spa, has cooperated with investigators. Cleveland was a member of the 99.1 KNES Radio station staff. She leaves behind her husband, Brian, and four children. A memorial celebration was held Friday, July 14, at Twisted Vines Event Center in Fairfield.
Ingram named TJH Principal
The new principal at Teague Junior High will not be a new face on campus. Josh Ingram will begin his 15th year in education as the Teague Junior High Principal. His entire career has been spent at Teague Junior High. In 2009, Ingram started at Teague Junior High as a substitute teacher and bus driver. Over the years, Ingram has taught math and technology at Teague Junior High. For the past six years, Ingram has also served as the high school golf coach. His golf coaching duties will remain although he will be serving as the principal. Ingram noted that there will be a...
Freestone County burn ban is ‘on’ again
The county-wide burn ban is on again in Freestone County, and will likely remain in place for the remainder of the summer and early fall. Freestone County Commissioners declared the burn ban at a specially called meeting on Monday, July 17, when they also approved a transfer of funds for the Butler Water System to take advantage of monies provided by a community block grant. As for the burn ban, that was the first order of business, and Precinct 3 Commissioner Lloyd Lane reported from a local assistant fire chief, who recommended the burn ban be put into place. “I talked to (Teague Assistant Fire Chief) Bryan Teer this morning,” Lane said, “and he said the general consensus was to go ahead and put it on.” “That’s what I was thinking, too,” said Precinct 4 Commissioner Clyde Ridge Jr. in agreement. The proposal passed unanimously. In a separate matter, the court approved transferring funds to pay Butler Water System since there were only five days remaining before the deadline to use the funds. That amount was $4,564, which was the final payment for a water grant to upgrade their water system.
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