‘NATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER’ OF TEXAS

—J. Griffis “Griff” Smith, who has been designated the “national photographer” by the Texas Legislature, presented a program before a crowd of about 50 Thursday evening in the city library. Smith (at right corner above and in photo below, gave his presentation seated because of an injury.

School budget: No tax increase

The Rockdale ISD will present its new budget in a public hearing at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, but this year it won’t provide any suspense about raising taxes. RISD has already pledged there will not be a tax increase from the current $1.36 rate.

TISD arming some staff

THORNDALE—In response to concerns over U.S. school violence, Thorn-dale ISD trustees voted last week to arm some staff members in a “Project Guardian” program. The 6-0 vote after an executive session came after Supt. Adam Ivy presented the program for consideration by trustees.

GAUSE NEWS

Our family and friends had a great time Sunday afternoon at the home of Kelly and Chris Cooper, Connelly and Cameron, celebrating Father’s Day. Wanda and Al Coats hosted a family get-together Sunday afternoon to celebrate Father’s Day and June birthdays.

Fourth of July plans announced

MILANO NEWS Plans have been announced for the annual City of Milano Fourth of July parade and hot dog luncheon. The theme for this year’s parade is “A Grand Old Flag.” All individuals, groups and organizations are invited to be a part of the parade.

City, county, MDD still down

June sales tax receipts still aren’t showing much good news for the City of Rockdale, Milam County and the Rockdale Municipal Development District (MDD). All are down for the year and all but the MDD are down for the month of June.

They came, they saw, they laughed

“Rio,” a animated movie about a blue macaw named—what else?—“Blu,” was a big hit at the Kay Theatre Thursday for a nearly full house of children in the first of three free movies being shown as part of the city library’s Texas Reading Club program.

City winding up its work on annexation procedures

The City of Rockdale, working with the Rockdale Municipal Development District (MDD), is about to complete its study of annexation planning. Annexation talk came to a sudden halt last year after 200 persons packed two sessions in the Patterson Center to voice their opposition to proceeding.

Council takes first step for Old City Hall

Everybody loved architect Stan Graves’ presentation on how to restore Rockdale’s 123-year-old City Hall Monday evening at the monthly Rockdale City Council session. Then, the hard work began. Council members, and the public, began discussion on how to address the $3.

POSGCD sets town halls on new effort

The Post Oak Savannah Groundwater Conservation District (POSGCD) has scheduled three town hall meetings—one in Rock-dale—to introduce landowners to a program it says is designed to protect and preserve aquifers.