NEWSBRIEFS

NEWSBRIEFS

MILANO—The Post Oak Savannah Groundwater Conservation District, in a Friday press conference at its Milano, headquarters, announced a “strictly-volunteer legacy conservancy” program for landowners in Milam and Burleson counties.

According to the district, under the Post Oak Savannah Aquifer Conservancy Program (PACP), owners would commit their groundwater resources into a long-term conservation program and would be paid for their “stewardship efforts.”

Friday’s initial press release said exact amounts are still to be determined but preliminary estimates are $5 to $6 per acre, per year, with bonuses for longer terms.

The POSGCD said the program is for persons owning land above the Carrizo-Wilcox Aquifer and terms of 5, 10 and 20 years will be available.

Landowners will still maintain full ownership and control of their private property and “can still drill or maintain an exempt well for domestic and livestock uses.”

The program is to be funded with fees collected by the district and payments are to be disbursed annually, according to the district.

A preliminary time-line indicates a survey and town hall public meetings are scheduled for June and July with board adoption of the program Jan. 8, 2019, and first payments to begin in January, 2021.

NEW HIRE—Also on Friday, POSGCD directors announce Doug Box as its new education coordinator.

Box is a Caldwell resident who has written six books on photography and has had studios in Bren-ham, Navasota and Caldwell.

Student transfers now being accepted at RISD

Parents of students transferring into the Rock-dale Independent School District from other school districts are reminded to submit application for student transfers for the 2018-2019 school year, according to Dr. Denise Monzingo, Superintendent. There is no transfer fee.

Transfer forms may be completed by contacting Dyan Shelander in the office of the superintendent at 520 West Davilla, during regular office hours, Monday through Friday.

Rockdale Homecoming ahead on June 10th

June 10 will mark the 84th Rockdale Homecoming. at the Patterson Civic Center, according to Barbara Gross , President of the Rockdale Homecoming Association.

Events begin at 10 a.m. with coffee, donuts and lot of visiting.

A pork roast lunch, catered by Terri York Sandoval, will be served at 12-noon. Tickets for the meal are $12. and will be available at the door.

The homecoming open for all persons, not just graduates of Rockdale High School, according to Gross.

Thorndale Revue scheduled June 21st

THORNDALE—The Thorndale Revue pageant, which crowns the new Miss Thorndale in connection with the annual barbecue cookoff, is set for Thursday, June 21, in the THS Cafeteria.

Susan Drabek of the Thorndale Area Chamber of Commerce said Deadline for contestant entry forms is 6 p.m. June 13.

Applications are available at Prosperity Bank Thorn-dale Branch, Thorndale Meat Market and Rock-dale Federal Credit Union Thorndale Branch.

Completed forms can be mailed to TACC, P.O. Box 668, Thorndale, 76577 or in the Thorndale Chamber building drop box. For additional information, call 512-269-8796.

DPS called to Rockdale area wrecks on holiday

Plenty of vehicle damages, but apparently no serious injuries were reported in two Rockdale area accidents on Memorial Day.

The DPS said major damage was reported at 4:38 a.m. on US 79 near CR 446. Driver was listed as Yunier Gonzalez-Acosta of Tampa, Florida.

No report was available for a 6:26 p.m. accident on CR 305 north of the Rock-dale Girls Softball Complex.

Arrest made in death of DPS state trooper

TEMPLE—Scott Douglas Taylor, 44, of Sunrise Beach has been arrested and charged with criminal negligent homicide in connection with the November, 2017, traffic crash which killed DPS Trooper Thomas Nipper, 63.

Nipper was a Rockdale resident when he was stationed in Milam County.