Columns & Opinions

Year of growth, stewardship, preparation

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Year of growth, stewardship, preparation

Judge’s Comments Bill Whitmire

Wed, 01/07/2026 - 10:10

Last year was a busy year in Milam County. As the pace of growth across Central Texas continues to accelerate, Milam County is increasingly experiencing those same pressures and opportunities.

‘Ancient Egyptian tomb’ artwork by Luke Dowd, a sixthgrade Intro to Art student in Rockdale Junior High School.

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Sad losses, MLK Day Parade, CASA event

Kyle Cooke

Wed, 01/07/2026 - 10:10

FALLING FAR FROM THE TREE Iwas saddened to hear about the way-too-early death at age 51 of Brian Beard last week—he being one of the nicest and most friendly guys I’ve ever met. Rockdale lost a good one and my heart breaks for Curah and the boys.

Exclusive Subscriber Content

City of Rockdale

News Staff

Wed, 01/07/2026 - 10:10

Grants and major projects top city’s list of 2025 accomplishments (The Reporter reached out to the city to ask for a list of 2025 accomplishments and City Manager Tim Kelty responded.—K.W.C.

Exclusive Subscriber Content

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

News Staff

Wed, 01/07/2026 - 10:10

Dear editor, Happy New Year! I hope the year 2026 will bring peace to Ukraine. I can’t help but wonder what President Putin told President Donald Trump up in Alaska since President Trump was going to end the war on Day 1.

Hopeful for 2026

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Hopeful for 2026

He Told Me To Tell You That Ken Ansell

Tue, 12/30/2025 - 09:56

“He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge.” (Psalm 91:4) Here are my random thoughts as we wrap up 2025 and move into 2026. First of all, hallelujah! Christmas is over! Please don’t misunderstand. I like the Jesus part of Christmas.

Poetry that has changed my life

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Poetry that has changed my life

Hidden In Christ With God Greg Nichols

Tue, 12/30/2025 - 09:56

As the new year is upon us, may I share with you two pieces of poetry that have always blessed and challenged my perspective on life and the meanings life may have. The first was composed by Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.

Bless our emergency responders

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Bless our emergency responders

Judge’s Comments Bill Whitmire

Tue, 12/30/2025 - 09:56

Ihad intended to open the 2026 newspaper article season with a recap of the 2025 year in county government; and I actually already wrote the article last week, but then something happened.

Exclusive Subscriber Content

New Year’s resolutions

News Staff

Tue, 12/30/2025 - 09:56

To deepen your New Year’s resolutions, make them specific and meaningful (your “why”), break them into small, actionable steps, track progress with a journal, find supportive accountability partners, and build them into daily habits, forgiving slip-ups along the way for real, lasting change.

‘Ancient Egyptian tomb’ artwork by Marshall McQuinn, a sixth-grade Intro to Art student in Rockdale Junior High School.

Exclusive Subscriber Content

The birth of Jesus and a few other births

Falling Far From The Tree Kyle Cooke

Tue, 12/30/2025 - 09:56

We had such a nice Christmas with almost all family members present. We had 10 at every meal and boy did we feast. Our family is more about food than presents these days. Daniel Willie gave us two smoked turkey breasts and smoked is mom’s favorite. We enjoyed that.

Good luck food for 2026

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Good luck food for 2026

Kyle’s Kitchen Kyle Cooke

Tue, 12/30/2025 - 09:56

I’m giving you a fairly standard black-eyed pea recipe so you’ll have good luck in 2026. The most important part, in my opinion, is to use some sort of smoked meat: ham hocks, sausage, turkey necks, ham, slab bacon, etc. It just needs to be smoked.