Police say Thursday hanging death ‘suicide’
Police Chief Jerry Meadors said at 1:52 p.m. Thursday dispatch received a 911 call reporting a male hanging from a tree in the 100 block of Laura.
“Officers responded to the scene and found Alexis Piedra (23) of Rockdale, unresponsive from an apparent suicide,” he said.
RPD Officers along with volunteer firefighters and AMR paramedics made attempts to resuscitate Piedra but were unsuccessful.
Milam County Pct. 2 Justice of the Peace Sam Berry, pronounced Piedra deceased on scene.
“Investigation of the scene revealed no signs of foul play,” Meadors said.
Murder indictment returned Thursday
CAMERON—A 70-year-old Rockdale resident was indicted for murder Thursday by a Milam County Grand Jury.
Frances Valdez was indicted in connection with the death of her daughter on June 3, 2019.
Rockdale police said 25-year-old Valerie Valdez died of an overdose of over-the-counter medication, according to toxicology reports.
Frances Valdez was arrested last month. Thomas Harris, who was then police chief, said the 11-month delay was to receive the toxicology reports upon which the cause of death was based.
Lt. Stephen Goodrich said Valerie Valdez had Down’s Syndrome.
A total of 41 persons were indicted Thursday on 50 charges.
The grand jury report arrived too late to be included in this week’s Reporter. The full report will be published in next week’s newspaper.
Milano Fourth of July parade, meal canceled
MILANO—There will be no celebration of the “stars and stripes” one the Fourth of July in Milano.
The Milano City Council has canceled the parade and community meal for 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic at their meeting on Monday night.
The Milano event is traditionally the only one of its kind in Milam County.
July Fourth fireworks still planned (so far)
CAMERON—At midweek the annual Milam County Fourth of July fireworks display is still planned in downtown Cameron.
The displays, which alternate between Rockdale and Cameron every other year, are brought to the public through the Rockdale and Cameron Chambers of Commerce.
Fireworks are planned at dusk Saturday, July Fourth and will be visible through much of central Cameron.
For those gathering downtown, social distancing for outdoor events will be in order. Face masks, or coverings, are encouraged.
Frozen food meals set Thursday giveaway
Thursday is a distribution day for free frozen meals at the Rockdale Senior Citizens Center, according to Carolyn Cooper, center director.
Distribution is from 9 to 11 a.m.
This is the latest in a series of grant-funded meals to provide senior citizens food during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“This may be the last one,” Cooper said.
Child porn sentence involves local victim
WACO—A Temple man has drawn a sentence of up to 200 months (over 16 years) in a federal prison for possession of child pornography in a case which included a Rockdale victim.
James Stevens, 43, drew the sentence from Federal District Judge Alan Albright who also ordered the defendant pay a $5,000 fine and be placed on supervised release for 10 years after he completes his prison sentence.
Stevens pleaded guilty.
Court documents showed authorities found about 121 images and 24 videos of child pornography on the defendant’s cell phone, computer and online accounts, as well as Stevens, pantless, lying on a bed next to a minor child.
Documents noted information led investigators to a home in Rockdale where the four-year-old victim lived with his father.
According to investigators, the father said he was in a relationship with Stevens and used methamphetamine.
Meth was found at the home and both men were charged with possession of the drug.
Agencies involved in the investigation included numerous law enforcement, judicial and investigative groups ranging from the Milam County Sheriff’s Department to the police in the state of South Australia.
South Milam VFDs dispatched on calls
Calls for South Milam County volunteer fire departments during the past week included:
• 7:53 p.m. June 17, grass fire in back yard, 400 block of East Milam in Milano, backyard grass fire which caught a shed on fire.
• 5:15 p.m. Friday, power line down and on fire, 400 block of East Avenue A in Milano, Milano VFD and Oncor.
• 9:10 a.m. Monday, originally reported as structure fire in 400 block of Oak Park Four, just west of Rockdale, no visible structure fire when Rockdale VFD arrived, only a short at power pole. Oncor notified to discontent pole.
County eyes mics for fix of audio programs
CAMERON—Milam County Judge Steve Young on Monday told commissioners he would look into finding microphones to alleviate some problems in broadcasting commissioners court sessions using the GoToMeeting conferencing site.
Some attempting to use the site to listen to meetings—including The Rockdale Reporter—have experienced garbled sound to the extent few, or no, words could be understood.
PACE—Commissioners okayed a resolution to establish the Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) program in the county.
PACE is a financial tool that incentivizes Texas’ property owners to upgrade facility infrastructure with little or no capital outlay.
RISD student transfer applications solicited
Parents of students transferring into the Rockdale Independent School District from other school districts are reminded to submit applications for student transfers for the 2020-2021 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 or (512) 430- 6000, during regular office hours, Monday through Thursday.
MDD continues to mull business aid programs
Rockdale Municipal Development District (MDD) directors continued to review a couple of their programs designed to assist local business in a regular meeting Monday evening.
Executive Director Kara Clore said the district has assisted 13 businesses in its rental assistance program with five still open.
That program remains suspended.
The MDD’s facade improvement program will be amended as to the number of times a business can apply and the time frame for those limits to be in effect.
Candidate visits Friday
Pete Sessions, a candidate for District 17 Congress in the Republican runoff, visited Rockdale Friday, including a breakfast stop and talking with supporters.
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