2018 hottest ever? Not close

Has 2018 been the hottest summer ever in Rockdale? Not even close, but in a couple of categories you can already make a case it could end up as the second hottest. The first substantial rainfall of the summer visited the area around 3:30 p.m.

It’s good news

Fuel tanks at the former Tetco convenience store, which closed at the corner of West Cameron and Wilcox (US 79 and FM 487) earlier this summer, were removed Thursday but it’s coming back bigger and better than ever.

Milam DL office gets reprieve

Milam County’s Department of Public Safety office in Cameron, and a neighboring, geographically-friendly, DL office in Taylor—will remain open. At least for the time being.

Thanksgiving meal to return this November

Rockdale’s annual free Thanksgiving meal, which was not held in 2017, will return this November. A planning meeting is set for 6:20 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 12, at New Hope Baptist Church, 327 East Third, according to Pearlie Mack, spokesperson for the project.

A TASTE OF THE TROPICS

—Veterans Park, on the east side of the swimming pool, looks a bit like a tropical beach after six palm trees were planted last week. Randy Reese (L) and James Kolar of Payneless Lawn Care were two of the project workers.

3 die in north Milam wrecks

Three people died in two separate accidents during a five-day period last week as the deadly year of 2018 claimed its 13th, 14th and 15th victims on Milam roads. Both accidents were in northern Milam County and two of the fatalities were Cameron residents.

9 grass fires reported in South Milam

Grass fires kept South Milam County volunteer fire department busy during the past week. The following were dispatched from the Rockdale Police Department: • 4:22 p.m. Aug. 28, County Road 338, Rockdale and Milano VFDs. • 5:26 p.m. Aug. 28, 2400 block of CR 320 with structures threatened. • 11:58 p.

NEWSBRIEFS

‘Early out’ at campus due to city water break Rockdale Elementary School students got an unexpected “early release” Tuesday as an adjacent city water main broke. Water was disconnected while repairs were made. First Friday coffee set for library at 8:30 a.m.

Officer chases down suspect

A chase involving a Rock-dale Police officer resulted in the arrest of a local man last week. Lt. Stephen Goodrich said a “suspicious person” call sent Ofc. Joah McCaleb to a location outside Rockdale Elementary School.

TAKE YOUR PICK

—Some people had garage sales during the annual citywide garage sale weekend Aug. 31-Sept. 2. Some people had yard sales. And some people had both, like this location on Brazos Street.