Ruelas blood drive Friday at KC Hall

The seventh annual Naomi Ruelas Memorial Blood Drive is set for 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 19 at the KC Hall. Ruelas, a Rockdale resident, died in 2013 from a rare blood disease. For an appointment, visit redcrossblood.org and search for sponsor code “naomi” or call 1-800-733-2767.

Virus cancels two traditional events

Two more traditional June events have fallen victim—only for 2020—to COVID-19 and restrictions on large crowds. Rockdale’s annual Juneteenth activities would have been held this Sunday. The 30th annual Thorndale VFD Barbecue Cookoff would have been staged the last weekend in June.

Whinstone powering up, 130 jobs

It’s a dream no more. It’s real. Whinstone U.S. is powering up at its still-growing complex at the former Alcoa Operations. “Currently we are operating with a staff of 130 team members and we are powering on more computers daily,” Chad Harris of Whinstone told The Reporter.

Virus spike: Milam soars over 50

COVID-19 cases are “spiking” in Texas and Milam County is definitely going along with that trend. Maybe “exploding” would be a better word. As of presstime Wednesday morning, Milam had logged 51 cases. Thirteen new cases have been reported in the county during the past week.

‘Choke holds banned many years’

Rockdale police don’t use choke holds, they’ve been banned for many years and they are specifically prohibited in writing and policy. That’s the word from Police Chief Jerry Meadors, one of three city officials who issued public statements Friday.

RISD budget based on 9.6-cent tax hike

Rockdale ISD trustees met in regular session Monday evening and adopted a $16.253-million budget for 2020-2021, based on a 9.6-cent increase in the school tax rate. Board members met in the junior-high commons, rather than the Central Administration Building, in order to maintain social distancing.

US 190 work coming to Milam line

Construction is underway to bring a stretch of highway to near-interstate level up to the Milam County line. That’s significant since the highway—US 190—has been touted as the eventual route of Interstate 14 all the way through Milam.