Freestone County Sheriff's Report

Ralph Billings TPD Sykora to out of control 13-year-old on N. 7th. This is getting to be a very common occurrence….. Gives credence to the old belief that we need to instill parental authority far more. More chores assigned, each and every day…..and no, don't pay them for performing those tasks. Let them know that all must work daily, for the good of the family.

And so the folks of this 13-year-old don't get the idea that I'm talking about them… ..I'm not. Out of control kids calls are just getting too frequent. Too many of our kids today don't have to work around the house…..That is not their fault, either. It is caused by parents who make limited requirements on their children.

In short, it is we parents' mistake….We're the ones making the errors, often leaving the child's upbringing to teachers and policemen, not taking total care of the upbringing ourselves. And, I hate to add, we're all guilty in varying degrees.

Now that the Burn Ban has been lifted, many people will be burning….We often hear them referred to as "Controlled Burns"…..But, it is hard for me to consider them as such when we observe that nobody is present. More truthfully they should be referred to as "Intentional Burns", because far too high a percentage of "controlled burns" get out of hand and the Fire Fighters have to be called anyway. Fires need to be closely tended, not abandoned.

Loose cattle, FM-1366. WPD to Ave. D in Wortham, mailbox struck overnight. DPS Alewine, Dep. Harrison and Fairfield VFD to car/deer accident, East 84. WPD Peters and Dep. Harrison to Domestic problems in Wortham. Dep. Robert Willis to Streetman, on dispute between male and female. TPD Howard to another Family Dispute of a different nature on Old Airport Road.

Man enters local construction company yard on FM-27, begins process of stealing an oilfield truck, caught in process by Deputies Barrentine and Hendrix, flees into the woods, lays down to hide…..No good, they got 'im. Book 'im, Danno! Most commendable work by the officers listed plus Deputies Shipley and House. Thank you, Guys! Well Done!

TPD Howard to loud music, Freestone Trailer Park. Repo Joe working in Teague. Deputy Aldrich plies his cowboy skills with Mr. Elom's rope on FM-1365, ropes calf, throws it, ties feet together, stuffs it under gate it came out of. Teague VFD to grassfire, FCR-712……and this was 3 days after our Big Rain ended. Like I previously mentioned and alluded to…. We did get a good rain…..but we still have to be very careful with fires.

Father reported drinking, shooting at son, arrested, Aggravated Assault With Deadly Weapon Family Violence. Dog troubles, Lakewood. Cows out in every part of County. TPD Sykora and Howard arrest man involved in scratching/pushing contest on S. 9th, now in Jail For Assault Family Violence, plus Interfere With Emergency Telephone.

Wortham VFD and Mexia EMS to broken leg on basketball court. Kids at Southern Oaks making prank 911 calls to Sheriff's Office….. Dispatcher Retha Little calls back, contacts Mother this time, explains that 911 calls came from her number….. Mother advises Retha she will personally handle the situation…..Then adds the kids may NEED 911 when she gets through with them! Bravo! Bravisimo to Mother!

Small kids reported playing in middle of FCR-941. FEMS to Keechi, Lady having chest pains. Rotweiller troubles on N. Avenue D. Deputy Robert Willis arrests man on warrant, Indecency With A Child. Man in van pulls up at rural residence, frightens homeowner, Deputies to same….Just someone looking for a little work….. If layoffs continue, we may see more of this in the future. Locally, we are hearing of a slow-down in the oilfield….. Have a feeling there will be a large number once again willing to build fences, clean fence rows, hustle odd jobs, etc. And, most of us will try to give them the opportunity…. We all know everybody's got to eat…..Oh, am I predicting a Depression, food lines, homeless wanderers? Nope, our economy is slowing, that's all…..We'll turn the corner and prosper once again. Can't say when, but hopefully far sooner than the Doomsdayers are predicting.

Teague VFD, THDEMS, DPS Alewine, DPS Warren and Dep. Taylor to two car accident, West 84, near H&L Tire. THDEMS to W. Jefferson, chest pains. Deputy House arrests two young men near Dew School: Marijuana. Also to report of prowler trying to break into house, FCR-301. Mexia EMS and Wortham VFD to possible heart attack, Twin Circle Drive. Game Warden to stranded boaters, Big Lake. Men reported standing in middle of US-79, Oakwood, one with shirt off, not moving for traffic, Leon County advised of same.

Wortham man jailed, running down city street, shooting at a dog. Dog reported stolen, believed carried to Humble, Texas. Dep. D. Willis to report of one making threats against another. Report from FCR-360 helicopter flying around, bothering his cows. Told needed numbers painted on side….. Our arms not long enough to reach up and grab! Deputy Clayton Aldrich to residence in Wortham, arrests occupant on two warrants. Gets another, on another warrant, incarcerated, too.

Dew VFD to grassfire, FCR-701. Southern Oaks VFD and FEMS to asthma problems on Chelsea. Local Fairfield Harmony Presbyterian Church Youth Group dropped off a delicious plate of decorated, icing on top, homemade cookies this week for our staff. Our thanks to this generous group for thinking of us. I was told they were delicious…..I can't say….. This bunch of piranhas up here skarfed 'em all down….. quick!

Person missing several gas cans thinks may know who got 'em. Teague VFD to grass afire, FCR-934. Dep. Hendrix to report of stolen cable, FM-80 South. Dew VFD and THDEMS to FCR-681, pulse fast, feeling dizzy. WPD Keathley to Family Troubles on S. 2nd. Man having suicidal thoughts in Wortham. Deputy Elom to loud music, FCR-1171. Streetman and Southern Oaks VFD's to Navarro County grassfire, SE- 2380. TPD Reed to Cypress, Baby's father struck her last week, wants to file charges today.TPD Solly to report of vandalized storage buildings.

Horses reported stolen from Arena on FM-489….. Quick, Slim, find a tree with a stout limb….Tumbleweed, hand me down that rope off your saddle……Oh, whoops…..You say they just called back?.....Uh-huh…. uh-huh, okay, got it. Never mind, Boys…..They'd jest wandered off in the woods. Got 'em back. Case closed!

Railroad tanker car leaking white substance, located by Dep. D.R. Taylor…..A load of grease it turned out, no hazard. DPS Thornton arrests DWI, US-84. TPD Noll and Solly to Domestic Problems on US-84. Southern Oaks VFD to large grassfire, FM- 416. Trucker stops at Love's Truck Stop, goes inside for a shower, returns outside to find his 18-Wheeler, a car carrier, and six loaded vehicles….. gone, FPD to same.

FEMS to Bond Street, Lady ill. Teague VFD to burning woods, FCR-971. Officer Keathley to Runnels, man beaten up by another. Lady in Coolidge wants us to handle Assault Problem, can't do, wrong County. Man harassing Lady by placing couch and chair in her driveway repeatedly. Troubles with customer at gas station, Streetman. Dep. Robert Willis arrests motorist on Hwy. 75, DWI, Aggravated Assault of Family Member and Evading Arrest.

To Buffalo Masonic Lodge….John Standley received coveted Golden Trowel Award with a very large crowd in attendance. John most deserving of the presentation. A very good man….. Although, from personal experience……I do question the quality of some of the literature which he chooses to read! Saw a slew of people, all friends of John's. Gary and Sue Helmcamp both still clucking along with their chickens…..But they did say they do get plenty of free fertilizer now for the garden….. Yes, I imagine that 300,000 chickens would keep them well supplied.

Lady threatened by neighboring dogs, Dew. Report of Dog Bite comes in from Hospital in Palestine…. Grandma's dog it turns out. Man reported attempting to jump on rear of salt water trucks when they stop at Stop Sign, Hwy. 179, Deputies to same, but man long gone. Preston Patterson recovering from a little medical problem but Earline says doing much better now, much improvement shown, and we are glad…..Get better quick, Preston…. The Tread Mill awaits you! Dispute over who gets the child, Wortham.

Deputy Robertson to/ from Tarrant County, prisoner transport. FPD Kindon arrests man on S. Bateman, drunk, attempting to put a chain on a pickup hung up on a culvert. Table, chairs, grill thrown into pond from adjacent house, FCR-1267, pure vandalism. Man found deceased on S. Bateman, laying in yard. Workers hit gas line on Love Street, Fairfield. Man calls, requesting help of TPD, keys locked inside car…. But, since he was wanted on a Felony Probation Warrant, TPD Reed left the car locked….and arrested him instead! I guess we'd all better think twice before we call on Aaron Reed for locksmith services! Just like the Mounties….He got his man.

Until Next Week….. RALPH BILLINGS