2025 Milam County budget numbers

The 2025 proposed budget is out on the county website for everyone to take a look. As always, the first question is what is the proposed tax rate? The good news is that the overall tax rate came down by over seven cents to a rate of $0.542 per hundred dollars for a drop of over seven cents, or 11.

Female Olympians treated differently

FALLING FAR FROM THE TREE I’m not normally a TV watcher, but I make an exception for the Olympics. Mom, dad and I have watched a whole lot of the events the past two weeks, and we all enjoy the games. So far, my pretend granddaughter, Simone Biles, and Snoop Dog have been my favorites.

Seems like the busiest time of the year

JUDGE’S COMMENTS BILL WHITMIRE Milam County Judge For most people this might not be true, but for governments throughout the county and school districts, this is one of the busiest times of the year.

LOOKING BACK 10-20-40-100 YEARS AGO

100 YEARS AGO… Rockdale High School is fortunate in its selection of a principal and coach for the coming term, having secured Mr. W.T. “Billy” Magee, of Georgetown. Mr. Magee was here the past week and signed contract with the school board. Mr.

Safety

DPS issues reminders ahead of new school year As students begin heading back to school, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) reminds all Texans to exercise heightened caution and adhere to safety measures implemented to protect students, staff and fellow drivers this school year.

A long rainy trip, Saturday events

Sunday was a strange day for me. I left Rockdale about 1 p.m. for Intercontinental Airport in Houston to pick up my sister-inlaw, Noelia, who has been in Mexico for a month.

What part do we each play?

Recently, I have been reading two different books— Something Needs to Change: An Urgent Call to Make Your Life Count, written by David Platt, and When We Walk By, written by Kevin F. Adler and Donald W. Burns.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Dear editor, On Sept. 3, 1935, a fire occurred in downtown Rockdale. The fire burned for hours engulfing four buildings. During the fight, an awning gave way bringing a brick wall with it, claiming the lives of two dedicated firemen: J.W. Hooper, 32, and Wilbur Williams, 25.

A pastor’s heart

I've been thinking a lot lately. I’ve been thinking about what it takes to make disciples. Disciples like we see in Scripture. The demoniac, the woman at the well, Zaccheus, blind Bartimaeus, Peter, Andrew, James, John, Paul, the list goes on and on.

‘It’s always something’

When the idea came upon me to write on the following topic, my serious side was highjacked by the memory of a comedy sketch I saw long ago. I do hope this column’s faithful readers also share an abandoned sense of humor.