Fifty Cents


Lady Eagles Coast into Playoffs


FREESTONECOUNTYTIMES Coach ‘Made It’


FHS Director/Head Football Coach Accepts Offer W


ednesday, February 8th will be Coach Darrell


Piske’s last day as Fairfield Athletic Director as he has accepted the position of Tyler Robert E. Lee High School’s Campus Coordinator/head coach. The 5A school district voted Monday night to hire Piske. He has informed his coaching


staff and word has gotten around to most of the students. However, he plans to meet with everyone during morning break on Wednesday. “I am not sure what lies


before me. I have learned to love so many here. It is both exciting and sad at the same time,” Coach Piske stated. “I am so grateful for the opportunity I was given here and thankful for the kids here. My family and I appreciate them all. I will always be a part of you.” He further commented. “I am leaving the known for


GOING UP FOR FOR THE TIP-OFF against Palestine, January 31, 2012 is Jasmine Griffin. The Lady Eagles win this one 42 -30 then headed to Groesbeck for a 63-37 win over the Goats. (Photo by Mary McDonald)


the unknown. It is a risk worth taking,” he indicated. Senior Brett Wilson had this


to say, “He is a great guy. He made an amazing turnaround of the team. I am happy for him.”


FPD Moves Toward 9-1-1 Fairfield City Council Signs Agreement With ETMC


F


airfield is one step closer to having a 9-1-1 dispatch


program after City Council Members approved adding said program to the City’s Strategic Plan, approved a resolution of the City Council supporting the establishment of a public safety answering point (PSAP) at the Fairfield Police Department, and approved a letter of intent to the Heart of Texas Council of Governments (HOTCOG) to be included in its planning for the


CALENDAR


FAIRFIELD “Little Ideas” Concert


Feb. 17 & 18 - 7:00 p.m. Healthy Rhythm Art Gallery


QUOTE


“All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn’t hurt.” --Charles M. Schultz


INSIDE Four Sections


Classifieds............Page 4-6-D Dear Editor.............Page 6-A Oil & Gas................Page 5-A Obituaries..............Page 4-B Real Estate.............Page 5-D


2014-2015 fiscal year strategic plan. This program would enhance police dispatching by seeking a PSAP to route 9-1- 1 calls directly to the Police Department. Prior to this meeting that


was held Thursday, January 2, 2012, at City Hall, Council Members met for a workshop in which Assistant Police Chief and Emergency Management Director Bill Rogillio presented the three items listed above to the Council. Members voted unanimously to approve all items regarding the 9-1-1 program. A mutual agreement between ETMC and the City for drainage maintenance, that will run underneath Highway 27 to a retention pond, was approved with the stipulation of adding the City to ETMC’s insurance so the City can in no way be sued should something go wrong. The initial agreement states


that ETMC promises to pick up the tab on any costs associated with the drainage and maintenance included with it. According to a discussion


during the workshop, engineers plan to bore under the clay road bed to insert a 48 inch pipe into a 52 inch hole. However, the drilling will only be 9 feet beneath the road surface which


THIS WRECK ON RAIN SWEPT I-45 FRIDAY AFTERNOON around 3:30 p.m. between mile marker 189 and 192 called an ambulance, fire department, and DPS to the scene. No other details were available at press time. The accident is a reminder to drive carefully when the streets are wet. (Photo by Scott W. Marsters, Sr.)


could potentially cause a cave- in. Another possible issue would be having to lower the existing water line because the drilling would take place very close to those pipes. “We want to protect the


hospital as well as the City,” said City Administrator Jeff Looney.


See “City Council” On Page 4-A


Brett followed up with, “He made it!” Coach Piske took the varsity football team from a 1-9 record in 2009, to 9-1 in 2010, and an undefeated season in 2011. FISD Superintendent Dr. Katie Ryan said, “It is with mixed feeling that we see Coach Piske leave Fairfield ISD. We are excited for him, but sad for us. He will be deeply missed. We wish him the best with his future endeavors.” The “Times,” too, wishes him


the best and hates to see him leave us. He graciously agreed to write a weekly column during football season. He would compliment his team on their continual success without ever putting down the other team. We called him on more than


one occasion asking him to set up an interview with a player or just identify a picture for us. We will miss him.


Mary McDonald reporting.


Vol. 11 No. 6 PUBLISHED IN THE FREESTONE COUNTY SEAT, FAIRFIELD, TEXAS Tuesday, February 7, 2012


generated at BeQRious.c


February 14th


, 2012


Indictments (Page 2-A)


Basketball News (Section C)


Teague Attorney Unhappy with Commissioners Court


A


ttorney Val Fulcher addressed the Court


during the regular meeting of the Freestone County Commissioners Court on February 6, 2012 on two different issues. His first concern was that the Court had granted $85,000 to the Teague Historical Preservation Society (THPS). Apparently, the funds were to be used to restore historical First Presbyterian Church and Teague Hotel. He stated that it has been


since determined that the First Presbyterian Church would cost too much to restore so it is in “tear down” mode.


Fulcher felt that the Teague Hotel, for which he said the THPS indicated the County funds had been used, was also too far gone. “I am for saving property


that can be saved. Take this burden off the taxpayers,” he told the court. Earlier in the meeting, Fulcher had pointed to the fact that many families are facing hard times. Fulcher suggested that the Society find ways to raise funds instead of getting


money from the County. Treasurer Kay James stated


that the THPS maintained a thrift store to raise funds. Judge Linda Grant affirmed


that this would be considered during budget hearings later in the year. Fulcher’s second concern was the position of District Clerk


Coordinator (DCC) created in 2009, a position that he felt was a “failed experiment.” He had acquired the time


sheets of Letha Willis, holder of this position, and said some were unsigned and many were


See “Court” On Page 4-A


Realignment:


School District Lines Redrawn T


he 2012 – 2014 Academic realignment of Texas


schools has just been released. Fairfield will again be in


District 19-3A. The other schools in that district include: Groesbeck, Mexia, Palestine, and Rusk. Rusk has been added,


and Palestine/Westwood became a 2A school who will


face off against Teague. Teague will be in District 11-


2A playing against Crockett, Elkhart, Trinity, Franklin, and Palestine/Westwood. Dropping from this District is Malakoff and Troup. Wortham maintains 1A


status in District 9. They will again play Dawson and Hubbard and will add Merridan and Frost.


www.freestonecountytimes.com


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