NEWSBRIEFS

Trustees extend Supt. Monzingo’s contract

Rockdale ISD Supt. Dr. Denise Monzingo had her contract extended through the 2022-2023

school year after trustees met in executive session Monday evening.

January is the traditional month for the school board to evaluate the superintendent and consider contracts.

Trustees also authorized Troy Zinn, board president, to enter into contract negotiations with the superintendent.

Dr. Monzingo was hired as RISD superintendent in the summer of 2017.

In 2017 she was named Superintendent of the Year in Education Service Center Region VI, which covers a 15-county area centered on the Bryan-College Station metro area.

Solar power growing; POSGCD gets director

CAMERON—Milam County Commissioners, meeting in regular session Monday morning, heard County Judge Steve Young discuss economic growth for the past year.

Young said Milam County is becoming the largest producer of solar power in the state, noting that four solar farms are being developed and a larger operation is planned in 2021 at the former Alcoa Rockdale Operations.

He also noted the Whinstone and Bitmain cryptocurrency mining endeavors at the Alcoa property.

Commissioners named Dana McLerran as a new Post Oak Savannah Groundwater Conservation District board member.

Milano, Thorndale

filing period begins

Thorndale and Milano joined the rest of Texas—including Rockdale (see story above)—in starting the filing period for the May 2 school and city elections.

In the Milano ISD, terms expiring in 2020 are those of trustees Ed Westbrook and Jay Willing-ham.

Milano City Council terms expiring are those of councilmen Edward Lenz and John Paniagua.

Filing for both city and school is at the MISD Superintendent’s office.

Thorndale ISD trustees whose terms expire this year are those of Chad Martinka and Kimberly Biar.

Filing is at the TISD Superintendent’s Office.

Filing is at Thorndale City Hall for the city election. Terms expiring are those of council members Alan Hejl, Wayne Green and Steven Zuehlke.

Four injured in area highway accidents

Four persons were injured during the past week in three highway accidents, according to the Dept. of Public Safety.

Damion Mitchell of Rockdale was transported to Baylor Scott & White by medical helicopter following a one-vehicle wreck at 8:20 a.m. Sunday on US 79 west of FM 1786.

According to the DPS, his vehicle rolled and struck a road sign. Damages were extensive.

Both occupants of a vehicle went to Seton Williamson Hospital after a 2:12 p.m. Monday accident on FM 486 near County Road 439.

They were listed as Karyngten Burdette and Stephanie Jones.

A two vehicle collision was reported at 7:39 a.m. Monday two miles north of Thorndale on FM 486.

Drivers were listed as Billy Felfe and Stanley Laurence. The DPS said Laurence was taken to Seton Williamson for treatment.

Chamber lists final turkey contest winners

The final holiday turkey giveaway contest winners, with sponsors, have been listed by the Rockdale Chamber of Commerce as follows:

Yvette Wells, Bassler Energy; Macy Allen, Citizens National Bank; Ann Wise, Atmos Energy; Loy Edmondson, Monique Gebhart, Pud Owens-Judith Matula Realtors.

Stephanie Muston, DA Bill Torrey; Crystal Baylor, Attorneys of Texas Title; Barbara Starr, Atmos Energy; Margaret Von Gonten, The Rockdale Reporter.

Shirley Becker, Attorneys of Texas Title; Billy Sargent, Atmos Energy; Mary Alvarez, Monique Gebhart/Pud Owens-Judith Matula Realtors; Sharon Roberts, Rockdale Chamber of Commerce.

Katie Whiteley, Bassler Energy; Danny Voyles, Attorneys of Texas Title; Marcell Ruzicka, Citizens National Bank; Georgia Kerlin, Atmos Energy.

Shauntavia Murray, DA Bill Torrey; Katelyn Bomer, Attorneys of Texas Title; Deborah Fisher, Atmos Energy; Craig Jordan, The Rockdale Reporter.

Lifeline Screening set to visit on Thursday

Lifeline Screening will be at the Patterson Center Thursday to offer Rockdale residents a variety of health screening services.

Screenings can assess risks for cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, diabetes and other chronic illnesses.

Screenings can check for plaque buildup in the heart, cholesterol levels, signs of diabetes, bone density, kidney and thyroid function and more.

Lifeline’s Joelle Reizes said packages start at $149 but added: “Contributors will work with you to create a package that is right for you based on your age and risk factors.

Food Pantry slates visit for Thursday

The Central Texas Food Pantry will hold a food distribution at 9 a.m. Thursday in the KC Hall parking lot.

“Since the distribution relies totally on volunteer help, volunteers will be needed and are greatly appreciated,” Denise Sifuentes said. Volunteers must be over age 18.

For further information contact Deanie Houser at 512-446-3336.

“Clients are asked to bring sacks or other receptacles to put the groceries in,” Sifuentes said.

The Central Texas Food Bank’s Mobile Pantry visits the KC Hall on the third Thursday of each month.

Kay Theatre sets ‘Star Trek’ movie Saturday

The Kay Theatre will show the 2009 “Star Trek” movie at 7 p.m. Saturday.

“We want to make this affordable for the community,” Bob Burnett, spokesman, said.

Admission and concessions will be $1, he said.

The movie features a mostly new cast from previous Star Trek editions but there’s one very familiar face.

Leonard Nimoy reprises his role as Spock, but it’s a much older Spock from the classic Star Treks of earlier decades.

Preservation Grant applications accepted

Applications are now being accepted for Milam County Preservation Grants in 2020.

Beth Brooks, spokesperson for Milam County Historical Commission said applications may be picked up in the office of Milam County Judge Steve Young or at Rainbow Courts in Rockdale.

Deadline for applications to be submitted for the 2020 projects is Jan. 30.

Train delay resolved

THORNDALE—A disabled Union Pacific freight train stalled on the tracks in Thorndale for several hours Saturday. It was repaired by a train crew. Traffic was re-routed until it was fixed.