Retirement reception ahead Friday for Weed

QUICK LOOK Dr. John M. Weed III, who returned to his home town to begin his medical practice 44 years ago this summer, will be honored with a retirement reception Friday at the Patterson Center. Hours are 5 to 8 p.m. Dr. Weed is a native Rockdalian and a 1964 RHS graduate.

Blood drive Sunday at St. Paul’s church

THORNDALE—A Baylor Scott & White blood drawing is scheduled for 8 a.m. to 12-noon Sunday at St. Paul Lutheran Church and School in Thorndale. Spokesperson Stacy Irwin said a photo ID is required to donate.

Stadium target now Sept. 15

A month and counting. The Rockdale ISD says the tentative completion date for the new football field is now Sept. 15. Builders and the district had previously set a target completion date of the end of August but that was pretty ambitious. Supt.

MDD makes formal announcement of Bitmain choosing Alcoa smelter

The Rockdale Municipal Development District (MDD) made the formal announcement Monday afternoon of Bitmain’s plans to transform the former Alcoa smelter into a bitcoin mining operation. The Reporter broke that major story on July 19. Work to transform the smelter is well underway.

RISD eyes good news on first A-F scores

The all-important Texas Education Agency accountability rankings are due out next week and there’s more than the usual confusion as the format has changed yet again. But the Rockdale ISD is looking forward to the scores.

Four sentenced in district court action

CAMERON—Four persons were sentenced in recent 20th District Court action, according to Prosecutor Bill Torrey.

NEWSBRIEFS

Sales tax holiday set Thursday to Sunday Texas’ annual sales tax holiday begins Friday, and goes through midnight.

FIRE CALLS

Fire calls dispatched from the Rockdale Police Department during the past week were listed as follows: • 6:08 p.m. July 31, grass fire, CR 355, Gause VFD. • 12:46 p.m. Thursday, large pile of trash burning on FM 1786, Rockdale VFD. • 2:38 p.m.

Meth bust made from traffic stop

POLICE REPORT A traffic stop Sunday in Rockdale led to the arrest of a Tyler woman on drug possession charges. Lt. Stephen Goodrich of the Rockdale Police Department said Ofc. Joah McCaleb made the stop then discovered a substance believed to be methamphetamine.

MILAM COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT CALLS

Milam County Sheriff’s Department calls included: July 31—Information, CR 323, Rockdale area; information, CR 322, Rockdale area; information, Hearne; civil matter, CR 326, Rockdale area; welfare check, Oak Park, Rockdale area; welfare check, Gause; information, FM 1712, Gause area; illegal...