Freestone County Times

Well folks, It’s time. After 25 years and roughly 1,300 weekly printed issues, the presses are finally going quiet. This is our last printed newspaper. Starting next week, the Freestone County Times moves exclusively online. It has been one hell of a paper run! We covered the big stories and the tiny ones that mattered. We printed the scores when the kids won and when they didn’t.

Freestone County Commissioners approved the 2027-2028 Fiscal Year Budget and adopted a new .301625% Tax Rate at the August 19, 2026, Commissioner’s Court Meeting.

Fairfield PD is proud to announce Joshlyn Reeves & Scott Sykora, Jr. as our newest cadets! Joshlyn and Scott will soon begin their journey into law enforcement at the Navarro College Police Academy, where they will work hard to earn their badges and begin their careers serving our community. The department is excited to invest in these two and look forward to watching them grow into the officers they are capable of becoming.

With construction of the new Fairfield High School beginning September 1, construction fencing is now in place around the project site. This will impact some previously used parking areas and pedestrian routes. Please review the updated parking information and map before attending events at Fairfield High School. –FHS Pep Rallies Guests attending pep rallies may park in the Auditorium parking spaces or the South Parking Lot between Fairfield High School and Fairfield Junior High.

Fairfield Chamber of Commerce’s 11th Annual Scarecrow Contest will be here before we know it. Spaces are very limited, so be sure to pick up an application and chose your lamp post before September 18, 2026. Applications may be picked up at the Chamber, located at 900 W. Commerce Street, or emailed to chamber@fairfieldtx.com. Scarecrows must be picked up no later than October 5, 2026.

Wortham Police Department is excited to share that K9 Vulpe has been selected to receive a lifesaving K9 Trauma Kit from Protection4Paws as part of their 250 K9 Trauma Kits for America’s 250th Anniversary Campaign! Protection4Paws does not require the PD to fully fund the kit before it is provided, but they have created a fundraiser for K9 Vulpe to help offset the cost and allow them to continue providing this equipment to more working K9 teams across the country.

Upcoming Fairfield Chamber of Commerce Events Fairfield Chamber of Commerce is staying busy through the end of 2026 with so many fun events and activities for the family. Their next big event is the Annual Show of Wheels. Check out this list to learn about upcoming events in Fairfield. September 2 (Wednesday) Rev Up for the Show of Wheels with Storytime at the Fairfield Library at 10:00 a.m. September 11 (Friday) Little Drivers’ Bingo Bash, Kids Pedaling with Picasso, and FREE hot dog dinner.

I just saw the message saying the Freestone County Times would be closing the print publication. That hurts. But it’s not just the loss of revenue for my scribblings called Woods, Waters, and Wildlife as much as losing a partner in this journalism business. I entered it understanding the newspaper business was a fragile one. I didn’t realize I would find myself feeling I was part of the community, although sitting miles away in a remodeled garage/workstation.

September 1 is opening day of dove seasons in All Zones. As it approaches, Texas is locked under a high-pressure heat dome that’s held us captive for almost a month without rain. But a man at TPWD was curious about how often it rained the last week of August, scattering the doves. His research confirmed it rained about 65% of that time! Before TPWD allowed dove hunts in mornings, our biggest problem was avoiding afternoon heat strokes.

Events Along 84, Inc. is pleased to announce the dates for its 4th annual Sales Along 84. The event will take place along U.S. Highway 84 starting in Mexia, TX, traveling through Louisiana, and ending in Monticello, MS on Thursday, Friday, Saturday – September 10-11-12, 2026. General Shopping Hours: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm each day; hours may vary by Seller.