Businesses may go back to 75 percent occupancy rate; bars can reopen

County Judge Steve Young received a letter today from the state Health and Human Services Commission concerning business occupancy rates laid out under GA-32.

More than 1,000 people have gotten first-round COVID-19 shots

Last Saturday, the county vaccinated 257 individuals at the former Rockdale Medical Clinic. 244 were second round shots and 13 were first round shots. Thus, Milam County has vaccinated over 1,000 first round individuals and by the end of this week more than 500 will have received their second round.

COVID-19 death toll now at 33 in county

The COVID-19 death total is now 33 with the fourth death reported Friday.  The active cases are at 136. "Our area hospitalization rate today was 12.07%.  This is day four of seven where our rate has been under 15%.

COVID-19 testing moving to three days a week

The announced plan of moving testing to three days a week will start Monday. Monday testing will be in Rockdale at 1700 Brazos from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday testing will be in Milano at the fire station at 305 East Ave. C from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday testing is in Cameron from 8 a.m.

COVID-19 claims two more lives

Milam County has two more COVID-19 deaths to report in Milam County. This brings the death toll to 32 since the pandemic started and the third death this week. Three more individuals were hospitalized and we have two on ventilators.  The hospitalization rate fell to 11.40% today.

Milam records 30th COVID-19 death

Milam County's death toll from COVID-19 now stands at 30. "I regret to report our 30th COVID-19 related death in Milam County since the pandemic began. Another grim reminder of just how deadly this virus truly is," County Judge Steve Young reported Wednesday night.

RISD has substitute opportunities

Rockdale ISD approved new daily rates for substitutes, effective Feb. 1, with the opportunity to receive a $250 bonus. Substitutes for the district are paid according to four classifications.

A tie-dye spotlight

Top photo: Rockdale Elementary students show their support for Alex Sandoval on tie-dye day. Right photo: Rockdale High School students saluted Alex Sandoval on tie-dye day. Bottom photo: Rockdale Intermediate went all out for Tie-Dye Day for Alex last week. Provided photos

Schools, businesses, residents show support for Alex

The whole town of Rockdale just about has joined Team Alex. From the owners of Xtreme Fit & Hit to the Rockdale Independent School District with Classic Bank, Brett’s Backyard Bar-B-Que and some others joining in supporting young Alex Sandoval in her quest against a rare form of cancer. “Today (Jan.

The black family: Adoption, love is thicker than blood

Editor’s note: The late Susie Sansom Piper, authored Black History Series for The Reporter over a 42-year period. This year’s series is being written by her granddaughter Tamara Powell.