JANUARY— The Milam County Medical Task Force released its findings about the county’s medical issues after having studied them since April of 2021. The task force determined over the past eight months:
• It is not economically feasible to pursue after hours and/or urgent care in Milam County.
• With the establishment of an Emergency Services District (ESD) it is economically feasible to pursue improvements to the existing AMR ground ambulance services and PHI ambulance services in Milam County.
• It is not economically feasible to use the existing Rockdale Hospital and/or medical clinic for medical or other services. (In fact, the hospital was given to RISD this year.)
Milam County recorded its 92nd COVID death in the first week of 2022.
Rockdale Municipal Development District decided to sell the 166-acre property on FM 487 which was bought several years ago as a site for an industrial park. An updated appraisal will be done, and they will get bids for the sale of the property. (The property closed on Friday, Dec. 16 and a new 600-home subdivision will start being built in early 2023.) FEBRUARY— The Milam County Coalition consisting of Milam County government, the City of Rockdale and the City of Cameron, got a Quick Response Vehicle (QRV) thanks to donations from the six solar farms coming to Milam County.
On Thursday, Dec. 3, temperatures never got above freezing which caused all school in Milam County to be closed, as well as most businesses.
Milam County Sheriff Mike Clore said the Forensic Anthropology Center at Texas State completed their analyses of the skull found in an abandoned home in Cameron and found it consistent with being from an adult Asian male and likely a medical specimen.
MARCH— To make a case for “every vote counts” Milam County voters chose Bill Whitmire for County Judge by only 146 votes over incumbent Steve Young on Tuesday night. Whitmire’s percentage was 51.75 to Young’s 48.25.
APRIL— Rockdale Federal Credit Union said goodbye to longtime board member Fred Marshall at the end of March, who had served as a trustee with the credit union for 50 years.
The Easter Egg Hunt and carnival put on by the Rockdale Chamber of Commerce, RISD ACE Tigers After-School and Girl Scouts was an absolute knockout. The event was very well attended and executed, and all of the kids had a great time doing the many activities that were provided, all at no charge.
On Monday, April 25, at 12:59 p.m., the Rockdale Police Department was notified by Rockdale High School faculty that a firearm had been discovered in a high school student’s backpack after receiving an anonymous tip through the RISD “quick tip” program.
Family Funfest sponsored by Rockdale Police Department and Aware Central Texas was big success. Kids played games and ate hot dogs and met and mingled with the officers.
Rockdale Earth Day held a day of service on Earth Day, Friday, April 22. The day’s events kicked off at the RHS gymnasium with breakfast tacos provided by the Rockdale Rotary Club. Mayor John King read his Earth Day proclamation and then everyone was bussed to locations around the city to get started on beautification efforts.
MAY— Four outstanding folks received special awards at the Chamber Banquet. Awards went to Terri Buchanan with Camrock Clinic was awarded Outstanding Business of the Year, Joyce Dalley took home the Outstanding Citizen of the Year, Jason Hale with Street Ministries was awarded Outstanding Organization of the Year and Lee Parsley who was awarded Citizen of the Year.
The American Legion Carlyle Post No. 358 celebrated 100 years of service with a banquet at the post on CR 487. The American Legion was founded by an act of Congress in 1919. Three years later, on May 2, 1922, Carlyle Post 358 in Rockdale was chartered.
Brett Boren was elected mayor in the May voting. Esmeralda Ruelas Olivares won her East Side seat on the city council and Kyle Walker was elected in his West Side race.
American Legion Carlyle Post 358 and Veterans of Foreign War Post 6525 teamed up with Rockdale High School National Honor Society and Student Council members to place flags at Bridge Park for Memorial Day. Both posts wanted to honor Milam County service members who gave the ultimate sacrifice by placing 233 flags in tribute to those lost in World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War and the Global War on Terror.
JUNE— At the 88th annual Rockdale Homecoming, 166 people showed up for visiting, food, great music provided by members of the original Regeneration Singers and to honor the McKinney family who have run Rainbow Courts since 1918. The meal was catered by Touch of Class Catering.
The 21st annual MARC Ride held at The Ranch had their most successful ride and auction ever with over $44,000 going to support the MARC Center and their consumers. Over 100 riders joined in this year for a very successful event.
Brooke and Ben Graham put on a great show for Milam County residents at The Ranch so Brooke could introduce some of the new songs she’s been recording in Nashville.
JULY— After a long hiatus due to the pandemic, the Lucy Hill Patterson Memorial Library restarted its First Friday Coffee. The event was well attended and there were lots of goodies to eat and plenty of fresh coffee.
Ofc. Cather ine Parker became Sgt. Catherine Parker at a ceremony held at the Rockdale Police Department. And she is Rockdale PD’s first female sergeant, according to Police Chief Jerry Meadors.
The Reporter reached out to TxDOT Public Information Officer Bobby Colwell and he told us that the entire project, including both the downtown project and the sidewalk/US 79 resurfacing project is anticipated to be finished in early 2023.
AUGUST— Glen Boswell, 31, a suspect in a capital murder case in Temple, was arrested by Ofc. Lauren Hensley on the US 77 overpass in east Rockdale.
The 166 acres on CR 487, which was originally bought for use as an industrial park, was put on the market for sale, and an offer to build a 660home subdivision was received by the MDD and the sale was approved by the city council.
Joan and Dan Rat lif f announced through their Realtor, Kathryne Parsley Roddam, that they were selling the oldest motel in Texas, Rainbow Courts.
Zain Taylor and Kelvin Or tega were indicted by a Milam County Grand Jury for aggravated assault after shooting two teens at an after-prom party in Milano in May.
SEPTEMBER— A gathering of 22 people met on Sept. 12 at the historic Kay Theater. Among those in attendance were the Milam County District Attorney Bill Torrey, along with Milam County Judge-elect Bill Whitmire and Pct. 2 Commissioner- elect James Denman. Deedra Baker, Chief Network Services Officer with Texas CASA was also in attendance to answer questions.
Mike Brown, 72, who retired two years ago after a 46-year career with The Rockdale Reporter, including 22 years as editor, died at Baylor Scott & White Hospital in Temple with his wife Sue by his side.
OCTOBER— A manhunt ended with the subject being captured. The subject, Christian Devaughn Rayford, was caught by MCSO Deputy Dillan Ford when he stepped in front of Ford’s car on CR 302.
A group of community leaders came together to form a foundation to support Rockdale ISD public schools. The Rockdale ISD Education Foundation (RISDEF) announced their focus to enhance community support and to expand resources for the district.
At Rockdale Junior High, a student air-dropped an image of a threat to several other students’ phones. Those students shared the message with campus administrators who in turn contacted district administration.
A Milam County Sheriff’s Department deputy was shot in the line of duty during a mental health call in the 100 block of Inwood Drive at the Western Hills Road turnoff on US 79 west of Rockdale. According to Milam County Sheriff Mike Clore, Milam County Sheriff’s Department Mental Health Deputy Department Mental Health Deputy Sam Ferguson IV, while working as part of the Mental Crisis Outreach Team, was conducting a mental health assessment on an individual who was experiencing a mental health crisis.
NOVEMBER— LeRaven Clark and Leslie Starnes were inducted into the RHS Sports Hall of Honor at a dinner ceremony before the football game. For the second time in a matter of weeks, a drug bust was conducted in Rockdale. The first drug bust happened on Oct. 18 just south of town.
Rockdale Police Chief Jerry Meadors presented Paul Davis and Brandon Lentz Exceptional Service Commendations for their actions on Oct. 19 quickly securing the location of the shooting incident of Milam County Deputy Sam Ferguson. Meadors said, “These are the two newest recruits to the Rockdale Police Department, and they are the perfect example of the recruits we need. I have no doubt that their quick actions helped save the life of Deputy Ferguson.”
DECEMBER— At a specially called city council meeting, special guest Professional Engineer Angie Sanchez, with the engineering firm KSA, outlined the phases of the city’s massive water pipe replacement project and answered questions from both the audience and council members.
At approximately 11 a.m. on the morning of Dec. 1, a joint operation involving the Milam County Sheriff’s Office, Rockdale Police Department, Belton Police Department and the Criminal Investigation Division of the Texas Department of Public Safety executed a search warrant at an address in the 1300 block of County Road 457, south of the City of Thorndale.
Rockdale’s “Big Mama,” Gertharine Green, who turned 104 in April, was honored by the City of Rockdale by renaming East Third Avenue to East Ger tharine Green Avenue. In September, Big Mama’s niece, La Vera Wade, petitioned the city council for the name change and the measure passed unanimously. Saturday, Dec. 10, the new street sign was unveiled, and another sign was given as a gift to Mrs. Green who was surrounded by her family.
Milam County Judge Steve Young got a surprise at the end of the Commissioners Court meeting. Unbeknownst to him, several people wanted to honor him for the work he had done for Milam County with a standing- room-only turnout of supporters, family and friends.
Deputy John Paniagua Jr. of the Milam County Sheriff’s Office won Deputy of the Year at the annual awards banquet held at Little River Event Center.
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