Water wonder

EDITORIAL One year ago everyone thought Rockdale water customers along about now would be coming to grips with then second of several huge rate increases to pay for a $48-million project to essentially replace our town’s entire water system.

Animal shelter, dog park need our help

FALLING FAR FROM THE TREE Went to the opening of the new dog park on Saturday. I was really surprised at how many people were there right at 10 a.m. when it opened. I’m glad to see our community supporting all the hard work some very nice people have done.

A changing attitude in Milam County

JUDGE’S COMMENTS Two years ago when I first started campaigning across the county to be your County Judge, I sensed a negative attitude among many in the county. Of course, there were legitimate reasons, such as the loss of Alcoa, then Luminant and last the hospitals.

‘Tiger University’ offers opportunities to serve community

RISD REPORT Rockdale High School’s first year iTigers Coordinator Karen Langford has an update for us regarding current and upcoming program activities at the high school: Tiger University is our after-school program at Rockdale High School.

Call of duty

EDITORIAL Our standard definition for the word “volunteer” remains the one favored by the late Rockdale Mayor Bill Avrett. He said a volunteer is someone who does a job for free that you could never pay them enough to do.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Our animal shelter needs volunteers Dear Editor, Our own community dog shelter is in desperate need of all our support. We have an amazing Animal Control Officer, Janiece Armagost, who is dedicated 24/7 to the amazing collection of dogs at the shelter.

Better fill up when your car tells you to

FALLING FAR FROM THE TREE DOG PARK OPENING MOVED TO SATURDAY MORNING AT 10 A.M. Just found out about this last minute. There is a 100% chance of rain on Wednesday so they’ve moved the opening to Saturday. See you there!

Thanks to our great volunteer fire departments

JUDGE’S COMMENTS All of us in Milam County depend on volunteer fire fighters to protect us. These men and women are trained in fire fighting and in the medical profession for our benefit.

Looking back... Through The Reporter Files

100 YEARS AGO.... Rockdale closed all its schools after 40 percent of the students did not show up for classes. There were also six teachers absent and only one showed up at the high school. Schools were expected to be closed for a week. City Tax Collector J. F.

Empty nest Dad

He told me to tell you that Our baby girl just got her degree from a private Baptist University in December. She’s been on the hunt for a full-time job that pays a living wage. She has also not quite secured that job, at least not yet, so she is working three jobs. It makes for a long day.