The Freestone County Times was created in 2002 by two individuals: Scott W. Marsters Sr. and Karen E. Leidy, who were looking for a challenge and believed they could produce a superior publication. After nine months of research and self-teaching, the inaugural 16-page issue of The Times hit the newsstands on Feb. 27, 2002. In the first issue, publisher, Scott W. Marsters Sr. described The Times as "...an open door publication, of the people by the people." Those words are still true today; their sentiment explains the phenomenal growth The Times has enjoyed. We pride ourselves in providing independent news coverage while promoting area events and local business.