Columns & Opinions

Group scale drawing by Rockdale Junior High eighth-grade Art II students Mercedes Nieto, Joaquin Cardona, Alinna Castillo and Camila Cardona.

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Does eating bad food affect our dreams?

Falling Far From The Tree Kyle Cooke

Wed, 09/16/2026 - 17:01

Ihad my blood drawn on Friday morning to test my A1C and some other things, so I decided to be a very bad diabetic that day for lunch when Noelia and I went to the Texan Cafe in Taylor. I had chicken-fried steak with white gravy, mashed potatoes with brown gravy and just for fun some green beans.

Saturday is CASA’s big night

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Saturday is CASA’s big night

Judge’s Comments Bill Whitmire

Wed, 09/16/2026 - 17:01

The Court Appointed Special Advocates of Milam County, more commonly known as CASA, will hold its annual “Taste of Milam” fundraiser this Saturday, Sept. 19, at the Kiesling Ranch, located at 2732 County Road 430 in Thorndale.

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LOOKING BACK

News Staff

Wed, 09/16/2026 - 17:01

10-20-40-100 YEARS AGO 100 YEARS AGO The Reporter has heard so much complaint about the bad condition of Rockdale streets, particularly in the business district, and so much comment favorable to paving these streets, that we are pleased indeed to learn through an interview with Mayor H.C.

‘God is our refuge and strength’

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‘God is our refuge and strength’

Hidden In Christ With God Greg Nichols

Wed, 09/09/2026 - 10:51

In 1962, Ben E. King gave us the lyrics to Stand By Me: “If the sky that we look upon Should tumble and fall, Or the mountain should crumble to the sea, I won’t cry, I won’t cry, No, I won’t shed a tear, Just as long as you stand, stand by me.

He told me to tell you that

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Stand firm in faith

Ken Ansell

Wed, 09/09/2026 - 10:51

“May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other.” 1 Thessalonians 3:12 I’m a r outine g uy. I g et up at the same time every day (except Sundays). The Blonde gets up before me and she spends about an hour alone with Jesus and then she comes in and wakes me up, “Rise and shine!

JUDGE’S COMMENTS

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We need to be September the 12th

Bill Whitmire

Wed, 09/09/2026 - 10:51

This week marks the 25th anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001. It is hard to believe a quarter- century has passed since that Tuesday morning when our nation changed forever. Nearly 3,000 people went to work, boarded airplanes, reported for duty or simply began another ordinary day and never came home.

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Looking back...

News Staff

Wed, 09/09/2026 - 10:51

100 YEARS AGO… Will Vogel, of Rockdale, won the handicap event in the Central Texas Golf Tournament held by the Taylor Country Club at Taylor Monday, and as a result is the proud possessor of a $30 set of new driving clubs which had been put up as first prize.

Pop art by Jazlynn Dixon, a freshman at Rockdale High School, drawn while an eighth-grader in Art II.

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Eduardo brings back memories of Allison

Kyle Cooke

Wed, 09/09/2026 - 10:51

Tropical Storm Eduardo is bringing back memories of Tropical Storm Allison in 2001 when I first started working for The Greensheet in Houston. A few facts about Allison: • She dropped 40 inches of rain. • The worst flooding was in downtown Houston.

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Flock cameras

—dallas Morning News Editorial Board

Wed, 09/09/2026 - 10:51

The backlash against Flock cameras and AI data centers crosses every sort of boundary — political, rural/urban and racial. When so many people are so upset about the world rising up around them, political leaders need to take stock of what’s going on. Gov.

Kyle’s Kitchen

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Dips requiring no stove or oven

Kyle Cooke

Wed, 09/09/2026 - 10:51

Lately, mom, dad and I have been enjoying ranch dressing and cut up veggies. It’s the ranch dressing you make using a 16-ounce container of sour cream and a packet of dry ranch dressing. Our favorite veggies lately have been carrot and celery sticks and sliced cucumbers.