Daily gratitude brings joy

He told me to tell you that Last year I read a “chick book” by Ann Voskamp entitled, One Thousand Gifts. I have been inspired by the book to create a list of gifts that I’m thankful for. I’m still old, tired and cynical but let me add to those adjectives that I’m also grateful.

WAR and TEA

EDITORIAL Last week the Texas Education Agency (TEA) came out with its annual report card for Texas school districts and campuses. It was the first time ever for the annual rankings to be boiled down to one number grade. Rockdale’s was 74. That wasn’t exactly a surprise.

Worth protecting

Journalists are not the opposition, said former CBS news anchor Bob Schieffer during the Texas Press Association Midwinter Trade Show in Denton last weekend.

There needs to be a hall of fame for fathers

TEXAS TYPE KEN ESTEN COOKE My father got to return to Denton, where he met his bride of 61 years and where he received his journalism degree for a third milestone.

Big job: 800 miles of unpaved roads

JUDGE’S COMMENTS Have you ever complained about your county commissioner? My road needs grading. My road has potholes. Why don’t they come out and fix my roads? The number one reason is money. We have almost 1,000 miles of roads to maintain in the county.

Looking back...

10-20-40-100 YEARS AGO 100 YEARS AGO.... The date for the United States to go “bone dry,” as The Reporter put it, was set at Jan. 16, 1920. Prohibition was set to become part of the U. S. Constitution. Rockdale’s Dr. I. P Sessions received a “distinguished service under fire” award from the U. S.

40% waste

EDITORIAL The Rockdale City Council does not have a difficult task as it deals with how to fix Rockdale’s water problems. The Rockdale City Council has an impossible task as it deals with how to fix Rockdale’s water problems.

Did he want to take the ‘no phone’ challenge?

OUTLAW INLAW Iasked the 15, soon to be 16-year-old, in the house if he would take the smartphone challenge. Really it was more forceful than asking. I begged. The challenge is to go without a smartphone for an entire 365 days in order to win $100,000.

Milam’s people are its best assets

JUDGE’S COMMENTS Iappreciate The Rockdale Reporter for giving me the opportunity to address the issues our county faces in the paper. The Reporter has been in business since 1873 and has been owned by the Cooke family since 1911.

Through The Reporter Files

Looking back... 100 YEARS AGO.... The devastating flu pandemic had reached The Rockdale Reporter. Publisher John Esten Cooke came down with the flu and wrote that he was taking “a vacation.” Cooke asked for the public’s help as the newspaper continued publication without its publisher-editor.