GOVERNOR CLOSES SCHOOLS FOR REMAINDER OF TERM

  Gov. Greg Abbott, in a noontime address Friday, announced Texas schools would remain closed for the remainder of the 2019-20 school term.   His ramarks were part of a plan to gradually "re-open" the state from COVID-19 restrictions.

JUDGE; ONE PERSON 'SERIOUS' FROM COVID-19

  Milam County Judge Steve Young said Friday morning one of the nine confirmed Milam County COVID-19 cases remains in ICU in a Temple a hospital and is "serious."   He said six have recovered and two remain in self-quarantine.

CAMERON DAIRY QUEEN CLOSED AFTER EMPLOYEE TESTS POSITIVE

The Cameron Dairy Queen is closed until April 29 after an employee tested positive for the COVID-19 virus.   County Judge Steve Young said the employee is the previously-announced ninth COVID-19 positive test in the county.

Food program back at KC’s on Thursday

The Central Texas Mobile Food Pantry will return to the KC Hall parking lot at 9 a.m. Thursday for its second “drive-through” free food distribution. Pam Warren, chair of Rockdale Christian Services, said the first one April 2 distributed food to 351 households with 881 individuals.

In it for the long haul

As it has become increasingly obvious, the battle against COVID-19 is a marathon, not a mile run, Rockdale and Milam County residents are becoming used to their new routines. Some of the week’s developments: • It looks like school classes are over for 2019- 2020.

Drive-up Easter

It was the most unique Easter in Rockdale history Sunday with social-distancing order in place. First Christian Church held a “drive-up” services, totally within the guidelines set down by county commissioners and Gov. Greg Abbott.

Coping with COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic situation is affecting many places in the county, some obvious and some not quite as obvious. Country Meadows Clinic in Thorndale, which is testing the public for the disease, has recently installed a new testing booth at the facility.

Local women die in FM 487 crash

Two Rockdale woman died last Wednesday afternoon as the result of a tw0-vehicle accident on a rural road northwest of town. According to the Department of Public Safety, 37-year-old Kymber Barton was pronounced dead at the scene of the 11:56 a.m. collision by Justice of the Peace Gary Northcott.

Scary storm fells trees, twister not confirmed

As if Rockdale residents didn’t have enough reasons to be anxious. A frightening looking thunderstorm rumbled through town on Thursday afternoon, blowing down trees and briefly turning many streets into streams.

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