Abbott lifts mask mandate, reopens business to 100%

On Tuesday Gov. Greg Abbott lifted the mask mandate and opened business up 100% as of March 10. People are still, however, encouraged to wear masks by some leaders and medical experts.

Little River Basin plant sale March 6

The annual Little River Basin Master Gardener Plant Sale is scheduled for March 6 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Youth Expo Building, 301 S. Houston Ave. in Cameron. A silent auction will be conducted at the sale with winners announced at 12:30 p.m.

Few races contested in May 1 elections in towns, ISDs

Now that the filing is done, there are contested races in the cities of Rockdale, Thorndale, Cameron and Lexington, but the school districts in those cities will not hold May 1 elections since just enough people filed to fill the openings.

Cleanup underway at wreck site

Most of the cleanup and restoration of the area around a truck-train wreck Tuesday morning, that caused a huge fire and prompted the evacuation of residents within a half-mile radius of the tracks crossing Farm to Market 2095 almost a mile from its intersection with US 79, is complete.

Sheriff White resigns

Sheriff Chris White walked into Milam County Judge Steve Young’s office Monday and resigned. White told Young he was leaving the job he was reelected to last November without opposition for personal reasons.

Rockdale rededicates, updates Moultry Park

Descendants and relatives, Rockdale officials and others gathered Friday to rededicate and reopen a park named for a man born into slavery in South Carolina who became a Rockdale businessman.

Fifth graders learn of intermediate options

Rockdale Junior High student registration for the 2021-22 school year is in full swing. RJH Administration traveled to Rockdale Intermediate on Feb. 8, meeting with each fifth-grade student individually.

RISD hearing set for ‘District of Innovation’

The Rockdale ISD District Education Council met to review the current District of Innovation plan and discuss any possible revisions. The council voted unanimously to recommend approval of the plan as is with no changes. RISD will conduct a public hearing at 5:30 p.m.

History lessons

Sarah Everage (L) and Black History Month program director Shawndrell Moore listen to Jazalle Dunn give a speech, “What Black history means to me” at Springfield Baptist Church on Sunday.

NEWSBRIEFS

Rockdale cheerleaders, mascot picked at tryouts The cheerleaders for 2021-22 Rockdale High School were selected Wednesday after tryouts where the judges determined the new members for the varsity and junior varsity squads. The judges were members of the National Cheerleader Association.