Columns & Opinions

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

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RDA’s Christmas Tree Lighting Thursday

Falling Far From The Tree Kyle Cooke

Wed, 11/19/2025 - 11:48

onight, Thursday, Nov. 20, is the Rockdale Downtown Association’s annual Christmas Tree Lighting at Wolf Park. We’ll start serving the chili, hot chocolate and cookies at 6 p.m. and light the tree at 7 p.m.

My good and faithful servant

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My good and faithful servant

Hidden In Christ With God Greg Nichols

Wed, 11/19/2025 - 11:48

Iwas recently watching a new-to-me series revolving around an affluent family who reside on an enormous estate, surrounded and served by butlers, coachmen, custodians, house maids, cooks, table servers and valets.

Don’t worry, be happy

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Don’t worry, be happy

He Told Me To Tell You That Ken Ansell

Wed, 11/19/2025 - 11:48

“Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.” (Romans 12:10) In Matthew 6:25 Jesus said, “Don’t be anxious about your life.” For some reason Bobby McFerrin’s, “Don’t worry be happy” keeps bouncing around in my head.

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Shutdown

News Staff

Wed, 11/12/2025 - 12:24

The winners and losers of the government shutdown deal The record-breaking U.S. government shutdown appears headed for its end after more than a month of Washington gridlock caused real pain on main street.

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

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Scary times we are living in

Falling Far From The Tree Kyle Cooke

Wed, 11/12/2025 - 12:24

As you will see below in the Looking Back column, the 100 Years Ago part is back after many long months. It was supposed to take two weeks, but it took much longer than that. One interesting thing I found is that the Thursday Reading Club was around in 1925 and is still around.

Alt Text for Image

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Honoring the service, sacrifice of veterans

Judge’s Comments Bill Whitmire

Wed, 11/12/2025 - 12:24

E ach year on November 11, our nation pauses to honor the men and women who have worn the uniform of the United States of America.

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LOOKING BACK 10-20-40-100 YEARS AGO

News Staff

Wed, 11/12/2025 - 12:24

10-20-40-100 YEARS AGO 100 YEARS AGO Constituting a good new item for the general public, as well as information of particular interest to the stockholders, the subjoined figures on the Rockdale Building & Loan Association are presented by The Reporter.

Make Milam County stronger: shop local

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Make Milam County stronger: shop local

Judge’s Comments Bill Whitmire

Wed, 11/05/2025 - 16:12

With Thanksgiving and Christmas just over the horizon, I felt it appropriate to pull this old article out of mothballs and restate an important concept – Shop Local! Many of you know that the Nurse and I make a huge deal of shopping local.

‘All about me’ poster by Malaya Gauna, a seventh-grade Art I student in Rockdale Junior High School.

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The good, the bad and the ugly

Falling Far From The Tree Kyle Cooke

Wed, 11/05/2025 - 16:12

When the City of Rockdale started putting flags up in downtown for special occasions like Presidents Day, Memorial Day and Independence Day, we got our flag out and set it up in front of The Reporter.

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Veterans Day

News Staff

Wed, 11/05/2025 - 16:12

(Editor’s note: Be sure not to miss RISD’s annual Veterans Day Ceremony on Tuesday, November 11 in the RHS competition gym starting at 10 a.m.