News

PLEDGE OF SUPPORT

News Staff

Wed, 06/10/2026 - 10:28

Charles Starr, left, organizer of the annual MARC Ride and Fundraiser, stands with new Brookshire Brothers Store Director Hector Gonzales after receiving a pledge of support from the local grocer. The 25th annual event revs up Saturday at the MARC facility on Pecos Street.

ORGANIZATIONS

News Staff

Wed, 06/10/2026 - 10:28

Alcoa retirees to meet Thursday The next meeting of the Rockdale Alcoa Retirees group will be Thursday, June 11. The meeting will be held at the Thorndale Veteran’s Memorial Hall (formally the VFW Hall). Set up the hall begins at 4:30 p.m. and help is needed. Doors open at 5.

Rain a blessing, more would be great

Fawn Simpson Reporter Correspondent

Wed, 06/10/2026 - 10:28

According to drought. gov Milam County is still considered somewhere between abnormally dry to moderately dry. The rain has been a blessing but a little more would be great! STAYING HOME— Many of my friends and family are choosing not to travel this summer.

QUICK LOOK

News Staff

Wed, 06/10/2026 - 10:28

Annual Juneteenth celebration set June 19 at Sumuel Park Locals will host the annual Juneteenth Celebration on Friday, June 19 at Sumuel Park in Rockdale, located at 417 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. Organizer Kendra Lewis said there will be food, music, games and lots of “good vibes.

Mayor Ward Roddam read a proclamation honoring Rockdale High School Tiger D’Andre Stephens who scored a gold medal in the UIL Class 3A high jump competition with a 6-foot, 10-inches. They are flanked by DaJoria “DaeDae” Lister and coach Rene Muniz.

Council OKs water master plan

Ken Esten Cooke Publisher

Wed, 06/10/2026 - 10:28

Rockdale will begin a Water and Sewer Master Plan and look at impact fees to help pay for the big-ticket engineering item, city council members voted at Monday’s meeting. Freese and Nichols, a firm that specializes in infrastructure consulting and engineering, will draw up the plan for $249,500.

City says no to rezoning effort for mobile home park

Ken Esten Cooke Publisher

Wed, 06/10/2026 - 10:28

City council members on Monday voted to deny a rezoning request for a property on North San Gabriel, which would have seen up to 50 mobile home residences established.

MARC Ride to be held Saturday

News Staff

Wed, 06/10/2026 - 10:28

The 25th annual MARC Ride will take place on June 13 at The Ranch. The ride is the largest fundraiser the center receives. In 24 years, the ride has raised $618,000. Ride registration begins at 9 a.m. and the first bikes will leave at 11 a.m. The fee is $20 per rider or $25 with a passenger.

Rockdale homecoming Sunday

News Staff

Wed, 06/10/2026 - 10:28

Rockdale Community Homecoming is fast approaching. It is scheduled for Sunday, June 14, at the KC Hall. The honored family this year is the family of Harold and Martha Parsley, deceased, whose family lives in Rockdale.

YARD OF THE MONTH

News Staff

Wed, 06/10/2026 - 10:28

The home at 520 West Belton Avenue has been nominated many times over the years, but the owner of the home, Rey Mata and David Melton, have close ties to Rockdale Earth Day and have chosen not to accept the award in the past six years. But they did this year and deservedly so.

Upcoming library summer fun

News Staff

Wed, 06/10/2026 - 10:28

Lucy Hill Patterson Memorial Library has some fun activities coming up for kids in the month of June. “What is a Dinosaur” presented by A&M paleontologist Liam Norris will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, June 12. Norris will bring some fossils of dinosaurs and a show and tell.