Looking back... Through The Reporter Files

100 YEARS AGO.... A Milam County jury handed down a two-year sentence after it found E. L. Ramsey guilty of the murder of A. Teagel Sr. in Thorndale. There was a new venture in the Tracy Oil Field.

Not this year

Except for back-yard gatherings of families sheltering-in-place, these were about the only Easter eggs to be found in Rockdale this spring. Large, public hunts were not held due to the COVID-19 Social Distancing order. That meant no hunt at Fair Park.

More pantry (hopefully) meals

Since we’re all still supposed to be sheltering in place, I thought I’d share some more recipes with ingredients that might already be in your pantry. Here are two from my friend and former coworker, Scarlette Benzkofer. How about that name?

Bad movies are good for the soul

I have a confession. I love terrible movies, and this shelter-in-place, stay-at-home or safer-at-home order we have going on has given me the perfect excuse to indulge. And if I’m being honest, these bad movies are also helping keep me sane. Normally, movies help relax.

Water-sewer project heads to next phase

Rockdale City Council members, in a “telephonic” session Monday in adherence to social distancing guidelines, set in motion the next set of water bill, and possibly tax, increases, to pay for massive renovations of water and sewer infrastructure.

SIGN OF THE TIMES

There have been many birthdays during the pandemic, but not many social distancing requirements. Many parents are having drive-by “par birthday parties due to social distancing requirements. Many parents are having drive-by “parties” with waving, honking and singing to the birthday boys and girls.

County calls for renovation bids

Milam County Commissioners, meeting Monday morning in a “telephonic” session to observe social distancing guidelines, okayed calling for bids on a proposed remodeling plan for the former Little River-Cameron Hospital.

NEWSBRIEFS

Weekly winners listed in restaurant contest Bobby Gibson and Adrianne Zawadzke are this week’s winners in the Rockdale Municipal Development District’s Chow Down Challenge.

Troopers called to area accidents

Milam County State Troopers were called to other area accidents besides the two-fatality crash last Wednesday. (Story, page 1A.) Trooper Broderick Sims said a vehicle driven by Jennifer Merkle, 46, of Aransas Pass struck a herd of hogs at 6:18 p.m. Friday on US 70, .1-mile west of County Road 320.

Four arrested during local raid Tuesday

The Milam County Sheriff’s Office in conjunction with the Bastrop Sheriff’s Office raided a location in the 400 block of Cypress Trail Loop just west of the Rockdale city limits Tuesday afternoon, according to Sheriff Chris White.