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.

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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.

NEWSBRIEFS

Surplus food giveaway Thursday at KC Hall Central Texas Food Bank’s Mobile Pantry will host a distribution at 9 a.m. Thursday, at the KC Hall, according to Denise Sifuentes, spokesperson.

Motel due next inspection from state fire marshal

POLICE REPORT A Rockdale motel which was given 30 days to meet electrical code inspections or face a possible shutdown is due to receive another inspection this week. Budget Inn, 716 West Cameron (US 79) received a visit from the State Fire Marshal’s office on June 5. Lt.

THORNDALE TOP BUSINESS

—Auctioneer Buddy Johnson was named Business of the Month for July recently by the Thorndale Area Chamber of Commerce. Johnson had been an auctioneer for 49 years and got his auctioneers license at age 17. His wife Marilyn has assisted him in auctions. Chamber members made the presentation.

Deputies respond to three fraud calls

SHERIFF’S REPORT Milam County sheriff’s Department deputies responded to three fraud calls in less than three hours Thursday in different rural areas of the county. Calls sent deputies to FM 2095 near Cameron, CR 426 in the Thorndale area and CR 342 near Milano.