Pedestrian killed in US 77 accident

A 45-year-olf Granger man died last Wednesday night when he was struck by a pickup while walking along US 77 about one mile south of Rockdale. According to the Department of Public Safety, Shane Sturgill was pronounced dead at the scene near County Road 322.

Stonehenge?

NOT QUITE—Those somewhat mysterious granite blocks which have appeared at Veterans Park (above) and several other places are a security feature installed by the City of Rockdale. “They are for protection of our residents, City Manager Chris Whittaker said.

GAUSE NEWS

The Smith Family Reunion & Cookout was held Friday and it was a huge success. The food was delicious and we enjoyed visiting with everyone—some of whom we hadn’t seen in some time. A reminder that Vacation Bible School will be held this week, July 30-Aug. 2, at Gause Baptist Church from 6 to 8:30 p.

Casino Night set Saturday at The Ranch

QUICK LOOK The Rockdale Chamber of Commerce’s annual Casino Night fund raiser is set for 7 to 11 p.m. Saturday at The Ranch. First prize is $1,500, second is $750 and third is $500 with additional prizes to be awarded. Tickets are priced at $50 each.

Saharan dust causing haze

Ever wanted to visit Africa? Don’t move. A little bit of Africa is visiting us at midweek. Meteorologists say the hazy skies, and spectacular sunrises and sunsets this week are caused by atmospheric dust trekking west from the Sahara Desert, the world’s largest.

Bitcoin replacing smelter

Strike up the band and have it play “Happy Days Are Here Again.” Loudly!

So, what is it anyway?

What is bitcoin mining? The simple answer is that there is no simple answer. It helps if you imagine a combination of Amazon.com, the Dow-Jones and Super Mario Brothers. After that it gets tricky. The simplest understandable answer is probably this.

MORE GOOD NEWS:

It’s been a long time getting here since the project was announced in February, 2016, but groundbreaking on a new $6.5-million nursing home Thursday had an air of celebration.

LUNCH-N-FUN

—Rev. Matt Higginbotham (standing, L) talks to young participants in Feed Rockdale, a new summer lunch program Friday during a playday on the lawn of First Baptist Church. Rev. Higginbotham is the pastor.

Legal skirmishing in federal suit

WACO—Attorneys for each side continue to fire off responses and replies in a federal district court over a Rockdale resident’s lawsuit, claiming his civil rights were violated by county officials. In April, John L.