NEWSBRIEFS
Classes in the Thorndale ISD were canceled through this week’s end Tuesday due to an outbreak of “flu and flu-like symptoms.”
This message was posted on the district's webpage Tuesday afternoon:
“On Friday we had 40 students out, 55 on Monday, 58 this morning and by 3:30 we had 80 students out with flu or flu-like symptoms. This is nearly 15% of our enrollment.
“After talking to the health department and Region 13 we assessed the situation and it is almost certain that this number will continue to grow over the next few days. In fact, quite a few students and staff reported early signs of these symptoms late this afternoon.
“As a result our leadership team, including our school nurse, decided to cancel school for the remainder of the week to allow students and staff to recover and give the illness a chance to run its course.
“This was not an easy decision but our team came together and decided that it was best for all stakeholders.
“We have obviously been cleaning and sanitizing on a regular basis but our custodial team will be able to go through every room and deep clean to minimize further spread of the illness that is going around.
“We will adjust our schedule to have school on February 14 which was previously a teacher workday. We have plenty of minutes available to adjust for the other two days but we may further adjust the calendar if needed. If your child still has fever on Sunday please do not send them to school.
“Additionally, since the majority of ill students are at the elementary we will still be playing our district basketball games as scheduled.
“Coaches will communicate with students about schedules accordingly.”
Republican Women
hosting DA debate
The public is invited to a debate between Milam County Attorney candidates Bill Torrey and Lonnie Gosch on Tuesday, Feb. 11 from 6-8 p.m. at the Kay Theatre. The debate will be moderated by KRXT host Charlie McGregor.
The debate is hosted and sponsored by the Republican Party of Milam County and the Republican Women of Milam County.
Attendees may submit questions for both candidates to milamgop@yahoo.com. The deadline for questions is Tuesday, Feb. 4.
MDD heard about road work through Rockdale
Rockdale Municipal Development District (MDD) members heard a representative of the Texas Dept. of Transportation discuss the major highway renovation project which will transform downtown Rockdale in upcoming years.
He said the project is scheduled to be “advertised” to contractors in the August-September time frame and work could begin as soon as November-December.
Murrah said the project will take 1-1/2 to two years to be completed once construction begins.
The MDD also heard a report from ZochNet on its quest to bring fiber optics lines to Rock-dale.
Extended hours Friday for Cameron tax office
Friday is Jan. 31 and that means taxes are due for all Milam County taxpayers who have not chosen the split-payment option.
Failure to do so will incur penalties.
Because of the deadline day, the Milam County Tax Office in Cameron will have extended hours, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., that day only, according to Tax Collector Sherry Mueck.
Mueck said the tax office accepts cash, check, money order or credit/debit cards.
“However, if you choose to pay with a card you will be assessed an additional fee,” she said. “That fee does not go to the county, city, school district or watershed district”
Mueck said, after hours, the Tax Office maintains a drop box for payments but such payments must be made before midnight Friday. “There are cameras trained on the box which are time-stamped to verify payment,” he said.
For questions call 254-697-7017.
KC’s set to host annual appreciation dinner
Rockdale Knights of Columbus Council 7014 will host it annual chili dinner for Milam County law enforcement and firefighters Feb. 17 at the KC Hall.
The event honors law enforcement, Rockdale, Black Jack, Milano, Minerva and Gause firefighters and AMR ambulance crews.
Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. for social activities and a chili supper will be served at approximately 6 p.m., KC spokesman Mike Korenek said.
RVFD fund raiser’s
tickets on sale Feb. 17
Tickets for the Rockdale Volunteer Fire Department’s annual fund raising night at the KC Hall will go on sale Feb, 17, according to spokesman Mike Korenek.
The fund raiser is set for April 17.
Tickets will be sold to persons on a year-to-year list.
For more information call Krenek at 512-446-6577 or James McQuinn at 512-577-5715.
Blood drawing ahead
Feb. 16 in Thorndale
Baylor Scott & White Blood Center will be at St. Paul Lutheran Church & School in Thorndale on Sunday, Feb. 16 for a blood drawing.
Hours are 8 a.m. to 12-noon.
Donors will receive a free, limited edition T-shirt and a blood donor lapel pin.
A photo ID is required to donate. Donors 18 and younger are required to provide proof of age to register for donation.
Register in the school gym.
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