Columns & Opinions

County Historical Commission to be honored

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County Historical Commission to be honored

Judge’s Comments Bill Whitmire

Wed, 06/17/2026 - 10:34

On Monday, June 22, during the regular meeting of the Milam County Commissioners Court, we will present the Milam County Historical Commission (MCHC) with the Distinguished Service Award from the Texas Historical Commission.

‘Train up a child’

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‘Train up a child’

He Told Me To Tell You That Ken Ansell

Wed, 06/17/2026 - 10:34

Someone asked me the other day for some parenting wisdom. Ha! I barely know where babies come from. I’m glad all of our kids are grown up and are responsible for making their own bad decisions. But seriously, let me tell you a quick story.

Offering students a bump up

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Offering students a bump up

Hidden In Christ With God Greg Nichols

Wed, 06/17/2026 - 10:34

Rev. Dr. John Kinney is retired Dean of Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology at Virginia Union University and pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church. Dr. Kinney was brought up and schooled in Wheeling, West Virginia, in the days of segregation, meaning there were no white children at his school.

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Responsible growth needed

News Staff

Wed, 06/10/2026 - 10:28

As data center applications explode, state needs to keep an eye on resources Applications for data centers, such as the ones in Milam County operated by Riot and Bitdeer, are exploding as our tech-centered lives demand more processing power.

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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

News Staff

Wed, 06/10/2026 - 10:28

Dear editor, A couple of weeks ago Judge Whitmire wrote an article in The Rockdale Reporter lambasting the Appraisal District as not being responsive to the citizenry because the Appraisal District Board and the Chief Appraiser are not directly elected by the voters.

Self-portrait drawing by Kamila Colmenero Hernandez, a 2025-26 eighth-grader in Art II at Rockdale Junior High School.

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Rockdale hits a rare milestone, gets a win

Texas Type Ken Esten Cooke

Wed, 06/10/2026 - 10:28

In light of its challenges, Rockdale hit a milestone recently that I certainly never thought it would see. Mayor Ward Roddam and City Manager Tim Kelty said Monday night at the council meeting that the city’s Public Works Department reported zero leaks in its water system.

Two rescues and an important reminder

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Two rescues and an important reminder

Judge’s Comments Bill Whitmire

Wed, 06/10/2026 - 10:28

Last Saturday night and into the early hours of Sunday morning, two people in separate vehicles were washed off the roadway where a bridge on Farm-to-Market 2027 crosses Pond Creek.

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Looking back...

News Staff

Wed, 06/03/2026 - 11:45

10-20-40-100 YEARS AGO 100 YEARS AGO… Carlyle Post No. 358, American Legion has its lines all laid and plans working out nicely looking to the biggest Fourth of July celebration ever staged in Rockdale.

JUDGE’S COMMENTS

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Where’s the beef on property tax reform?

Bill Whitmire

Wed, 06/03/2026 - 11:45

This week I want to revisit a subject we’ve talked about before, but one that deserves another look as we get closer to the next legislative session: property tax reform. Every election cycle, candidates start talking about property taxes.

Self-portrait drawing by Madison Gonzales, a 2025-26 eighth-grader in Art II at Rockdale Junior High School.

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More funnies from Ashley McKee Karl

Kyle Cooke

Wed, 06/03/2026 - 11:45

Ileave Saturday for my week vacation in Galveston, and I am so ready to go. Brother Ken will be here taking my place while I’m gone, and I thank him for stepping in. Christine will also be in town while I’m away. I don’t know if Ken is going to put her to work or not.