NEWSBRIEFS

Sentencing set Friday for murder defendant

CAMERON—The second sentencing for a murder defendant in the Emily Hacker case is scheduled

for Friday in 20th District Court.

Edward Brannon Barry, 32, of Caldwell is one of four defendants charged with the murder of Hacker, 34, on Jan. 10, 2017, in a Rockdale home.

Candice Nicole Jones, 32, drew a 50-year prison sentence on Aug. 1.

Barry and Jones had pleaded guilty and accepted a plea deal. Prosecutor Bill Torrey said the state is also seeking a 50-year sentence for Barry.

Torrey said the other two defendants—Ashley Yvonne Wesson-Zawadzke and John Stewart, 23 and 26 respectively at the time—agreed to testify against Jones and Barry and will be sentenced at a later date.

A fifth person, Kevin Cormier of Caldwell was charged with helping to move the body but was not charged in connection with the murder.

Commissioners slate two budget hearings

CAMERON—Milam County Commissioners, meeting in regular session Monday at the courthouse, have scheduled two public hearings on their proposed 2020 budget.

Meetings are set for 8:30 am. Aug. 23 and Aug. 27 in the courthouse.

County Judge Steve Young has said the new budget is based on a 73-cent tax rate, the same as the current year.

Young reported to the court that Bitmain antminers are online at the former Alcoa smelter and that Whinstone/GMO Registry, which has announced plans to also come to the smelter for cryptocurrency mining, continues to negotiate with Alcoa for that purpose.

Commissioners also herd Young note architect Stan Graves is 3-4 months away from going out for bids on renovation of Cameron’s former hospital to house county offices.

Also, Young said the county has received a $212,000 grant—with 20-percent matching funds required— for a county economic development coordinator.

Second suspect named in Thorndale theft ring

CAMERON—The Milam County Sheriff’s Department has named a second suspect in what it terms a theft ring which was the subject of an arrest last week in Thorndale.

Chad Bankston, 43, is being sought in connection with the series of thefts.

Items recovered after a search of a Thorndale location included four trailers, a travel trailer, a Bobcat skid steer, attachments, welders, a zero-turn mower and two four-wheelers.

Previously arrest was 34-year-old Jennifer Blye.

Sheriff Chris White said after Blye’s arrest he anticipated at least two more arrests in connection with the theft ring.

City hearings slated on tax rate increase

The City of Rockdale will hold public hearings the next two Mondays on its proposed tax rate increase for 2019-2020.

Hearings will be at 5:30 p.m. Aug. 19 and 26 at City Hall.

The city has proposed a 3.81-cent tax increase from the current 91.18 cents to 94.99 cents.

Troopers probe crashes in South Milam County

State troopers were called to a two-vehicle collision on Sierra Drive at 12:30 p.m. Monday.

Drivers were listed as Amilia Carrizales and Donalene Congleton, both of Rockdale. Damages were termed moderate to both vehicles.

Extensive damages, but no injuries, were reported at 9:50 p.m. Friday on FM 3061 when a vehicle driven by Michael Herzog of Thorndale was in collision with a cow.

Surplus food visit set Thursday at KC Hall

Central Texas Food Bank’s Mobile Pantry will host a distribution at 9 a.m. Thursday, at the KC Hall east of Rockdale.

“Since the distribution relies totally on volunteer help, volunteers will be needed and greatly appreciated,” Denise Sifuentes, organizer, said.

Contact Deanie Houser at 512-446-3336 for further information. Distributions are held the third Thursday of each month.

Clients are asked to bring sacks, boxes or other receptacles for the groceries.

Volunteers under 18 must be accompanied by an adult, Sifuentes said.

Perry & Perry honored for safety in workplace

Rockdale’s Perry & Perry Builders has received the top honor for workplace safety by Texas Mutual Insurance Company.

“To qualify for this honor, a company must demonstrate its commitment to workplace safety by implementing an exemplary safety program and controlling their workers’ compensation losses,” Richard Gergasko, Texas Mutual Insurance Company president/CEO, said.

“We are proud to recognize companies for doing the right thing when it comes to safety,” Gergasko said.

Only 200 Texas businesses are receiving the honor.