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FREESTONECOUNTYTIMES 75 MPH New I-45 Norm


Safety Maintained While Increasing Transportation Efficiency M


iles and miles of Texas highway will soon see


speed limit increases, including Interstate 45 in Freestone County, following last Thursday’s Texas Transportation Commission action approving 75 mph designations for close to 1,500 miles of interstate.


The speed limit changes span


60 Texas counties making it the largest conversion since a new law was passed last year. The 82nd Texas Legislature passed and the Governor signed House Bill 1353 which allows the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to establish 75 mph speed limits


on Texas highways providing speed studies show it can be done safely. Since September, the agency


has been reviewing existing 70 mph speed limits across the state to determine where a 75 mph limit may be safely posted. Four Central Texas highways were the first to see


higher speeds after the new law took effect. Thursday’s Commission action brings the number of miles now zoned at 75 mph as a result of House Bill (HB) 1353 to 1,618. Posting new speed limits


on 1,500 miles of interstate highway is a major milestone in implementing the new law,


said Carol Rawson, TxDOT Traffic Operations Division Director. “Texas’ economic strength depends on the efficient and safe movement of people and goods,” Rawson explained. “These new speed limits increase highway efficiency while maintaining the safety of the transportation system.”


See “Speed Limits” On Page 5-A


February is... A


house fire and several break-ins in the Dew community Friday, January 27, 2012 may be attributed to one juvenile, according to the Freestone County


CALENDAR


FAIRFIELD Business Luncheon


February 2nd - 11:30 am The Depot X


QUOTE


“In every marriage more than a week old, there are grounds for divorce. The trick is to find, and continue to find, grounds for marriage.” --Robert Anderson


A LARGE CROWD TURNED OUT FOR A PROFITABLE DAY AT FAIRFIELD TRUCKING as an incredible $550,000 was brought in by auctioneers and bidders for the business liquidation sale during an Equipment Auction on Saturday, January 28, 2012. Fairfield Trucking has provided services for Freestone County for over 30 years before owners, Glynn Harris and Donald Carroll, decided to retire. The sale was conducted by Grant & Munchew Auctions. (Photo by Scott W. Marsters, Sr.)


Saying ‘YES’ Fairfield Council Approves Hotel/Motel Monies S


ix Fairfield organizations/ businesses


presented


requests for monies from the Hotel/Motel Fund at the Fairfield City Council Meeting held Tuesday, January 24, 2012.


Each councilperson was


in attendance with the exception of Mayor Pro-Tem Luke Ward, Jr. First on the agenda for presentations was Mary Small with the Fairfield Chamber of Commerce requesting $73,413 for the remaining three quarters of this year. The Chamber has already received its first quarter request of $30,638 and is requesting to have the remaining years’ worth of funding approved in order to be able to pay deposits


TriCounty Oilman’s


Association, which requested $50,000 towards the 3rd Annual Big T’s Memorial Chili Cook-Off. This year, instead of


and down payments in a timely manner on the several projects it has planned throughout this year, such as the fireworks display, the Show of Wheels and Easter Eggstravaganza. One major project


estimated to cost $15,000 is the addition of signage at interstate exits that will advertise area hotels/motels. Once the signs are acquired and placed, maintenance will cost about $6,000 per year. Leldon Childs made the


motion to approve the total amount requested and Joe Lee Kirgan gave the second. All others voted unanimously in favor of approval. Next up was Community Development Director Liz Thornton,


representing


Centex Oilmen’s Association, TriCounty Association is working with the City to present the cook-off. For the previous two years, the City gave $25,000 to help with promotional and entertainment costs. According to Thornton, the


goal of TriCounty Oilman’s Association is to provide the City with a signature event to promote business retention and recruitment, as well as provided support for local charities. The main goal is to eventually build a school for children with Autism so they will not have to travel to Corsicana or Waco for their educational needs. The 3rd Annual event is slated for September 28th


See “Saying Yes” On Page 3-A


INSIDE Four Sections


Classifieds............Page 2-4-D Dear Editor.............Page 6-A Oil & Gas................Page 4-A Obituaries..............Page 2-B Real Estate.............Page 3-D


OPENING February 6th 2012


OWNERS


Vol. 11 No. 5 PUBLISHED IN THE FREESTONE COUNTY SEAT, FAIRFIELD, TEXAS Tuesday, January 31, 2012


generated at BeQRious.c


Wedding Guide (Section C)


Crime Spree in Dew


Sheriff’s office. The young teen is said to


have fled the Houston area, where he was staying at a Boy’s Home, ditching a stolen vehicle in Dew, Texas when he ran out of gas. From there, he reportedly took a riding lawnmower and drove north on Hwy. 75. According to the Sheriff’s


office, multiple residences were broken into, with weapons reported missing from one of them. Unconfirmed reports indicate that in one of the residences, it appeared that someone had helped themselves to a meal before trashing the place. Dew and Fairfield Volunteer Firefighters responded to a fire at yet another Dew residence. It is unknown at this time whether the fire was set intentionally or not.


See “Crime Spree” On Page 5-A


FAirFielD HiGH SCHOOl HOSTeD Palestine-Westwood, Corsicana-Mildred and Scurry- Rosser in a Powerlifting Meet held last Thursday afternoon, January 26, 2012, in the south gym. Taking first in his weight class is Cody Sell (above) who lifted a total of 1,265 pounds. See page 9-A for results of the Fairfield eagles Boy’s Powerlifting Team. (Photo by Nicole Schaefer)


www.freestonecountytimes.com


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