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Seventy-Five Cents Vol. 11 No. 12 PUBLISHED IN THE FREESTONE COUNTY SEAT, FAIRFIELD, TEXAS Tuesday, March 20, 2012 75¢


FREESTONECOUNTYTIMES Restraining Order Granted


Preacher Lawsuits Mount B


obby Rutherford, Jr., founder of River of Life


Family Worship Center in 2002, was recently served with two new lawsuits, in addition to the one pending by


River of Life Family Worship Center that was filed October 15, 2011 against Rutherford and wife, KIm. Mr. Rutherford, through his attorney, Andy McSwain of


Golden Trowel Awarded to Civic Leader


Waco, is requesting jury trials on the new lawsuits and any legal fees and reinbursment for court costs he may incur. Suit #12-047_B, brought by Elizabeth Wheeler, involves several incidences where she alleges Rutherford owes her money. The suit contends that


Wheeler was employed by Rutherford in August 2010 for Bobby Rutherford, Jr., D.B.A. Rutherford Rentals &


Sales, retailer of Ameritech portable buildings across from Brookshire Bros. in Fairfield, for $8.00/hr. She maintained the buildings and was on hand to assist customers, and take orders and money to facilitate sales. The complaint maintains


that Wheeler was to be paid the hourly wage each time Rutherford received commissions from Ameritech. According to records,


between August 8, 2010 and April 5, 2011, Wheeler incurred wages totaling $7,396, but was paid only $3,340. At the time the suit was filed, allegedly, Rutherford owed her $4,056 in wages. In a second charge, the suit indicates that Rutherford secured a job striping, sealing,


See “Lawsuits” On Page 3-A


Crack Cocaine Arrests “I


can’t believe they are doing this right in front


of us,” Freestone County Chief Deputy Sheriff Don Anderson said to Lieutenant Charlie Mathis when they spotted an apparent drug exchange taking place around 3:00 p.m. on March 2, 2012 beside the playground at Sonic Drive- In in Fairfield, Texas. Anderson immediately


called in Lieutenant Robert Willis, who is the Narcotics


PAST GRAND MASTER OF TEXAS MASONS, David B. Dibrell (left) presents “The Golden Trowel” award to local attorney Milton Reed Jackson on Saturday at 1:00 p.m. Mason Jackson’s wife Stacy was on hand to fasten the official lapel pin on his suit. (Photo submitted by Worshipful Master Scott Mims)


M


embers of Fairfield Mason Lodge No. 103


came together on March 17, 2012, at noon for a meal and presentation to honor Senior Deacon Milton Reed Jackson of Fairfield with the Golden Trowel Award. At a retreat in 1989, Grand Master Leonard Harvey,


Deputy Grand Master A.D. Hanna, and Grand Senior Warden Fred Allen created the “Golden Trowel” award to honor Masons at the lodge level who continually do the “little things” for the lodge day in and day out.


See “Golden Trowel” On Page 6-A


Early Voting Set for City, School


T


he dates and times for early voting have been


set for the Fairfield City election, the Wortham City election, and the Wortham School Board election. Fairfield City Election: Early voting will take place at City Hall, 222 S. Mount in Fairfield, beginning April 30, 2012 from 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. From


May 1st through May 4th, the polls will be open 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. On May 7th, the time is 7:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m., and on May 8th, the final day for early voting, the polls will open at 8:00 a.m. and close at 4:30 p.m.


See “City, School” On Page 3-A


Alicia Dyson


CALENDAR TEAGUE


Carson & Barnes Circus March 26 - 4:30 & 7:30 pm www.BigTopShow.com


QUOTE


“I’m fairly sure my cows can’t swim, but I can always hope they float.” Scott W. Marsters, Sr.


INSIDE Four Sections


Classifieds............Page 2- 4-D Dear Editor.............Page 6-C Oil & Gas................Page 5-A Obituaries..............Page 2-B Real Estate.............Page 3-D


Ashton Dyson Gerald Evans Jerome Mims City Admin. Evaluation Disposed


Mayor Casts Final Vote A


split vote regarding the removal of an


executive session to review Council evaluations of City Administrator Jeff Looney from the agenda was approved with a tie-breaking vote from Mayor Roy Hill at the City Council meeting held Tuesday, March 13, 2012. At the previous Council


meeting held February 28th, Mayor Hill presented his yearly performance evaluation of


Looney to the Council, which was approved unanimously with the stipulation that each Council member be allowed to give comments to add to said evaluation and Looney’s personnel file. Councilwoman Donna Tyus requested the executive session to discuss these additions with Looney as well as Looney’s employment agreement. When this agenda item


was brought up, Councilman Joe Lee Kirgan, Jr. spoke up saying, “Before we move into this executive session, I would like to make a motion to remove it, and the open session regarding this matter, from the agenda. We already voted to approve your [Mayor Hill] evaluation last time. As far as I’m concerned, it’s a


See “Evaluation” On Page 3-A


Officer for the County, and the officers arrested three of the four individuals, who were visiting the fast food drive-in. Officials at Sonic wished


to make it clear, these individuals were customers -- not employees. Apprehended were Jerome Mims, Ashton Dyson, and Alicia Dyson. Thirty-one rocks of crack cocaine were confiscated. A fourth individual allegedly


involved, Gerald Evans, escaped immediate arrest. However, a couple of days later, Evans was picked up on assault charges at Jack- In-The-Box in Fairfield. The County discovered


that there was a warrant for Evans in Louisiana for Possession of a Fire Arm by a Felon. Ashton Dyson had been


given a 10 year probated sentence for a string of business and home


robberies in the past. Jerome Mims, Ashton


Dyson, and Alicia Dyson remain in County Jail. The bond amounts are $75,000, $50,000, and $50,000 respectively. Ashton Dyson has an additional $3,000 bond on motion to revoke probation. Gerald Evans is housed at


the Limestone Correctional facility with no bond, awaiting extradition. Mary McDonald reporting.


Party for Burns Retirement (Page 6-A)


Sports News (Page 1-C)


Teague Woman Featured on TV (Page 1-B)


Road Closures (Page 6-A)


www.freestonecountytimes.com


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