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Teague Chronicle
Skinner honored as Region 12 Superintendent of the Year
, Teague ISD Superintendent Chris Skinner was recognized as the Region 12 Superintendent of the Year at the Teague ISD school board meeting on Tuesday evening, Aug. 22. All board members were present except for Lovie Whyte. The bills were approved totaling $461,697.25. The board approved working with Law Firm Spalding Nichols Lamp Langlois. Skinner requested the law firm to continue working with Morgan Beam, who switched law firms recently. The 2023 certified tax roll from the Freestone Central Appraisal District was approved. TISD saw a 14% increase. The certified appraised value of TISD is $1,175,972,646. Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations Emily Evans...
Lions get season -opening win in Rockdale
, ROCKDALE - J’Kybryen Harris contributed in all three phases of the game - offense, defense and special teams - in the Teague football team’s 28-21 victory over Rockdale Friday night at Tiger Stadium in Rockdale. Harris caught three passes for 36 yards and a touchdown on offense; recorded six tackles, two interceptions and a tackle for a loss on defense; and returned the games; opening kickoff 93 yards for a score. The junior wide receiver/ defensive back also caught a two-point conversion pass. “It was incredible. I loved it,” Harris said. “When we fell behind, we motivated each other to play...
FCSO arrests pair for making false report
Two people who cried “wolf” received a trip to the Freestone County Jail last weekend. The male and female subjects were both charged with making a false report to authorities after they called in a “burglary in progress.” The male subject also received a forgery charge. On Saturday, Aug. 25, Freestone County Sheriff’s Office Deputies responded to a location between Fairfield and Teague for a reported burglary in progress. During the on-scene investigation, a female subject located on site was found to be allowed to be at the residence. The female subject was the victim in a family violence assault case and had...
State growth brings new challenges
The star on the Texas flag somehow seems to shine a little brighter every year as more and more people move to Texas to find a thriving economy and a better quality of life. While that growth is wonderful to see, it does bring challenges to our transportation system. Thanks to the leadership of Governor Greg Abbott and the Texas Legislature, the Texas Transportation Commission is up to the task with the adoption on Aug. 16, of a historic $142.3 billion investment in building Texas roads and bridges, including a $100.6 billion 10-year Unified Transportation Program (UTP), $34.2 billion in development...
TPWD Stance
Dear Judge Grant and Commissioners Bonner, McSwane, Lane, and Ridge: I received your June 21 letter opposing Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s (TPWD) decision to authorize the use of eminent domain to save Fairfield Lake State Park. I am grateful for our many years of working together to provide outdoor recreation and joyous memories to your community. TPWD is happy to meet with you to hear your concerns directly and discuss how best to serve the people of Freestone County and the State of Texas. After months of outspoken support from Freestone County officials for the state park and specifically the use...
District will be a tussle every Friday for area teams
In District 20-3A football, there’s Malakoff and there’s the rest of the pack. Malakoff has had a stranglehold on the district championship for a number of years and it is a perennial contender for state championship honors. If that holds true, that would leave four local and area teams fighting it out for the final three playoff spots. That means every week should be a dogfight during the six-week district campaign, which begins Sept. 22. Teams saw last season that they need to bring their “A” game every week, and the difference between victory and defeat can be razor thin. Fairfield, Mexia and Groesbeck...
TPWD to decide on seizure of Fairfield Lake SP land
Texas Parks and Wildlife Commissioners were expected to make a decision on whether or not to move forward with eminent domain for Fairfield Lake State Park Wednesday morning. TPWD was scheduled to discuss the issue regarding the 5,000-acre property that Fairfield Lake State Park was located on. TPWD Commissioners unanimously voted in June to consider the use of eminent domain to claim the land associated with the park. This comes a week after Todd Interests rejected TPWD’s final offer to purchase the park. Todd Interests purchased the former Fairfield Lake State Park and the surrounding 3,000 acres in June, and Fairfield Lake SP...
Budget, tax rate decisions dominate Commissioners Court
Freestone County Commissioners adopted the budget they had been working on for months and passed the new tax rate for the upcoming fiscal year, which begins Oct. 1. The court made those financial decisions at its Aug. 16 meeting, when the commissioners also left the burn ban in place, held a hearing on county records preservation, heard about a hazmat spill and cleanup, went into executive session to discuss financial matters concerning solar electric generating facilities, and made other decisions concerning the county’s finances and well-being. As for the budget, Commissioners took one last look at the document before taking a final...
Let’s go fishin’
Fishing Friends, Adam and I normally don’t do much Catfishing until the Fall and Winter months arrive. However, the past two Summers of extreme heat caused the White Bass and Hybrid Stripers to do a disappearing act in August and we’ve had to find something to catch! The almost always dependable Blue and Channel Catfish bite has once again given us and our Customers plenty to catch (and fish fry) the past few weeks. This past week, we fished four trips and caught a really large amount of “Eater Size” Cats and enjoyed some of the best action of the Summer! The...
Lions start season
in R Roles will be reversed when Teague and Rockdale kick off the 2023 football season at Rockdale’s Tiger Stadium Friday night. A year ago, the Lions had a new head coach, and the Tigers had the same coach from the 2021 season. This season, it’s Teague who has the returning head coach and Rockdale who has a new head coach. Teague will be looking for payback from last season’s 38-29 loss to Rockdale when the teams kickoff at 7:30 p.m. Friday. Second-year coach Zack Linscomb believes his team will be ready. “Last year, we were down 17-0 before we realized that we...
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...
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