Columns & Opinions

Art by Samantha Saldana Barrera, a freshman at Rockdale High School (created while an eighth-grader).

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Of birthdays, great causes, church humor

Falling Far From The Tree Kyle Cooke

Wed, 09/10/2025 - 11:22

Ihad a nice birthday on Saturday turning 62. My usual running buddy, sister- in-law Noelia, was busy at Southwestern with her Spanish students so I got to do some birthday shopping at Costco and ate some good Vietnamese food at Broth and Basil all by myself.

‘Tax Offices’ in Milam County

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‘Tax Offices’ in Milam County

Judge’s Comments Bill Whitmire

Wed, 09/10/2025 - 11:22

When I hold general town hall meetings, I ask folks to give me the issues that are their biggest concern. Inevitably, taxes and water are in the top three or four issues they are concerned about.

He told me to tell you that KEN ANSELL

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All on the same page

News Staff

Wed, 09/03/2025 - 13:07

“To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice” Proverbs 21:3 Ihad coffee with another pastor not too long ago and I have other friends in the ministry and the stories they tell are crazy. It’s like, do we all have the same play book (the Bible).

Hidden in Christ with God GREG NICHOLS

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Death of Jesus is not the greatest tragedy

News Staff

Wed, 09/03/2025 - 13:07

The New Yorker styled cartoon depicted participants in a game show. You know, such as Family Feud or Jeopardy. Both contestants had slammed their buzzers at the same time and, at the same instant, answered the game question with different answers.

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LOOKING BACK

News Staff

Wed, 09/03/2025 - 13:07

10-20-40 YEARS AGO 40 YEARS AGO… Bui ld ing per mit s in Rockdale continued to grow impressively in July and August, roaring past the $3 million plateau and threatening to break the city’s all-time high record before the end of the third quarter.

JUDGE’S COMMENTS BILL WHITMIRE Milam County Judge

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Road, bridge crews deserve our thanks

News Staff

Wed, 09/03/2025 - 13:07

E ach month I get phone calls about our county roads and the issues we face with them.

Art by Peyton Mooney, a freshman at Rockdale High School (created while an eighth-grader).

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Some musings from our newest employee

News Staff

Wed, 09/03/2025 - 13:07

(We;ve had our office cat, Mavis, for three years now. Here we repeat her intro column. KWC) Ihollered all day long. These tall things must not have ears. After what seemed like an eternity, they finally lifted the grate, and I ran out and entered the building where it was nice and cool.

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Welcome TXSE

News Staff

Wed, 09/03/2025 - 13:07

The US financial landscape is seismically shifting, and it’s surging toward Texas.

Hidden in Christ with God GREG NICHOLS

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God alone is God, God alone is enough

News Staff

Wed, 08/27/2025 - 10:49

After the children of Israel entered the Promised Land, but before the days of David, Jerusalem was not yet the center of Israel. The holy place was Shiloh, and it was there that the Ark of the Covenant was kept. The Ark was the religious icon of Israel.

He told me to tell you that KEN ANSELL

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Join the movement

News Staff

Wed, 08/27/2025 - 10:49

“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” (Proverbs 4:23) One of the first songs concerni ng God many of us learned was 'Jesus Loves Me.