Virus crisis leads to unemployment claim logjam at state level

If you’ve lost your job because of the COVID-19 situation and can’t get through to apply for unemployment benefits, you’re not alone. Help may have arrived, hopefully. On Monday the Texas Workforce Commission asked Texans calling to file for benefits to stagger their calls.

IT’S DONE

IT’S DONE—Cleanup is complete at the Richie Thrasher Place, 1300 and 1328 East Cameron (US 79). Declared a junkyard in court action last year Milam County has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on the project. A Nov. 13, 2019 auction raised $76,000 toward the cleanup.

Curfew works, police taking precautions

Rockdale police say the nightly curfew seems to be working well since hours were extended due to the COVID-19 crisis. Police are also taking as many precautions as they can to guard themselves against becoming infected with the virus.

City council to meet Monday, GoToWebinar

Monday is the Rockdale City Council’s regular meeting date and the session will proceed with some help from technology. “The meeting will be hosted by GoToWebinar,” City Secretary Terry Blanchard said. It starts at 5:30 p.m.

Weekly winners listed in restaurant contest

Amy McQuinn and Reese Weise are this week’s winners in the Rockdale Municipal Development District’s Chow Down Challenge. The Challenge is designed to assist Rockdale restaurants as they attempt to minimize the impact of closing “eat-in” dining during COVID-19. The contest lasts through April 26.

TRAFFIC JAM

TRAFFIC JAM—Milam County DPS State Trooper MIchael McHale one of many law enforcement personnel helping direct traffic at Thursday’s giant food distribution in the KC Hall parking lot. The food distributions are continuing through the COVID-19 situation, with precautions.

South Milam clinics list test protocols

As the number of COVID-19-related cases continues to climb in Milam County, officials of a couple of clinics in Thorndale and Rockdale have listed the way their institutions are handling the testing situation.

CORRECTION

The age of Leroy Wright, Aycock High School sports legend who died recently, was incorrectly listed as 78 in last week’s Reporter. Mr. Wright was 81. He would have turned 82 next month. He died March 21, in Charlotte, North Carolina.

ALL HANDS ON DECK

ALL HANDS ON DECK— Members of the Rockdale Police Department, Milam County Sheriff’s Department and Department of Public Safety were all on hand Thursday in the KC Hall for a huge Central Texas Food Pantry food distribution.

Juvenile incident ends in charges

A bizarre incident last week ended in charges being filed against a 14-year-old male. Lt.