News

Opening night of Milam Community Theater's "Lillies of the Field" has been postponed unitl Nov. 11 due to an unfortunate injury to a cast member.

MCT apologizes for any inconvenience this may have caused.

An epic story of courage, conflict and devotion unfolds on the stage with this weekend’s opening of the Milam Community Theater production of “The Lilies of the Field.”

“We’re absolutely thrilled to have Joe Fino back with us to direct this timeless show,” Lilies of the Field producer Vickie Goza said. “Joe is no stranger, having acted in and directed several shows since MCT was founded. He has brought a unique and refreshing vision to this production of Lilies. Plus, we are graced with an extremely talented cast of both veteran actors and folks that are new to the Cameron stage. Lilies is bound to entertain!”

By Josh Pratt

Staff writer

Any well-known programs are known for their consistency.  When referring to the C.H. Yoe High School Band, there is no better word to describe what is brought to the field each and every performance.  

On Saturday from the area D marching contest from Hewitt Midway, the band added to their long tradition of excellence by punching their fourth straight trip to the state marching contest in San Antonio.  

“It’s a long day and it’s asking a lot from the students, but seeing them put up two greats shows is very exciting,” said band director Craig George following the big announcement.  

The band first performed in the preliminary round of 24 bands at 11:30 a.m.  After that performance, the band traveled back to Cameron to freshen up, eat and work out a few points in the show before heading back up to Hewitt.  

Cameron finally has a new police chief.

The Cameron City Council made a unanimous decision to hire Lonnie Gosch for the position after an executive session held during the regular council meeting Oct. 24.  

Cameron City Manager Rhett Parker said background checks were previously done allowing council to take immediate action. Gosch was sworn into office during the meeting and began duties at 8 a.m. on Wednesday. Oct. 25.

Gosch began his care in law enforcement as an officer with the City of Hearne in 1993 where he worked into the ranks as a lieutenant. He later worked as a Sheriff’s Deputy for Milam County from 1995-2006.  During this time he worked toward a law degree where he becomes an accomplished criminal and family law trial attorney. He has practiced law for the past 14 years in Milam, Robertson, and Falls Counties.

Cameron’s youth did well at this year’s Rockdale Fair and Rodeo Youth Livestock Auction, bringing home several Grand and Reserve Champion honors.

The 2017 Youth Livestock Auction brought in a record $392,870, with the Commercial Heifers bringing $296,425; the Baked Goods Auction bringing $13,800; and Ag Mechanics Show bringing $9,250.

Cameron 4-Her Mason Leifeste had the Grand Champion steer, with Stiles Patin of Thorndale 4-H showing the Reserve Champion. 

Mason Fisher of Thorndale FFA showed the Grand Champion swine. Cameron 4-Her Karsyn Mingus had the Reserve Champion.

Grand Champion lamb was shown by Garrett Reed of Milano Junior FFA. Reserve Champion lamb went to Mackenzie Mahan of Cameron 4-H.

Kaylee Jackson of the Thorndale 4-H showed the Grand Champion goat. Reserve Champion went to Kyrene Jackson of Thorndale 4-H.

What seems like a minor move could make big waves in Cameron’s medical services.

The Little River Healthcare Cameron Medical Clinic will open its doors at its new location on Oct. 30 inside the LRH Cameron Hospital. The clinic currently resides across 8th Street from the hospital, both on North Crockett Ave.

“By moving the clinic to inside the hospital, we create one-stop-shop for all our patients,” said Troy Zinn, CEO of the Cameron Hospital. “Let’s say a patient visits the ER for something that their insurance doesn’t consider an emergency. Instead of treating them at the ER at expensive ER costs, if it’s during clinic business hours, we can just walk them down the hall to the clinic for treatment covered by their insurance.”

Zinn said that by the same token, when a patient needing an x-ray visits the clinic, they can receive an x-ray just down the hall, rather than setting up an x-ray appointment for another day at another building.

The Yoe High Band performs during the football game on Oct. 6. The band received straight 1's at the UIL Region Marching Competition in Groesbeck on Saturday, Oct. 21. They will compete in the Area Marching Contest at Midway High School at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 28, for the prelims. The finals for area begin at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday evening. Twenty-four bands are competing for four spots to the State Marching Contest.

It is that time of the year again. The Milam County Sheriff’s Office is getting ready to host its 8th Annual Brown Santa Program starting Nov. 1.  

The Milam County Sheriff’s Office is taking applications for those Milam County residences that would like to take advantage of the Brown Santa program. Please bring a Medicaid card or a WIC card with the child(s) name on it, a current utility bill, and a birth certificate or kid’s that are in school must present a current report card. A parent/guardian must have a valid Texas ID. Applications can be picked up at the Milam County Sheriff’s Office starting Nov. 1. 

Pick up and delivery will be on Dec. 21 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Anyone interested in donating new, unwrapped toys can bring them to the Sheriff’s office. 

The Sheriff’s Office would like to say thank you to Milam County for taking time to support our county during these difficult times, your love and support is greatly appreciated.

Milam County is throwing its name in the hat to become the next headquarters of online retail giant Amazon.

The county along with economic development groups from Cameron and Rockdale took a bold step forward on Tuesday morning announcing at a press conference that it they are submitting a proposal to Amazon in response to their Request for Proposals for its second corporate headquarters - HQ2. 

“This small but determined team has been working for six weeks to put together a big proposal for arguably the biggest single project in the history of Milam County and the nation, for that matter,” Milam County Judge David Barkemeyer told the crowd gathered at the courthouse for the announcement. “Milam County is proposing the opportunity to create a boundless new HQ2 on all, or part, of the property currently for sale by Alcoa, marketed as Sandow Ranch.”

Central Texas suffered a major blow this morning when Luminant, a subsidiary of Vistra Energy, announced that it will close two coal-fueled power plants in Central Texas: its two-unit Sandow Power Plant in Milam County and its two-unit Big Brown Power Plant in Freestone County.

In total, approximately 2,300 MW of nameplate power will be taken offline in early 2018.

Relay for Life of Milam County invites all cancer survivors to the Survivor Dinner on Sunday, Oct. 29, at the Fellowship Hall at Peace Lutheran Church in Rockdale, 303 Meadows Drive.

Registration begins at 5:30 p.m. The dinner starts at 6 p.m.

Survivors and a caregiver are invited to attend the free reception to honor them. There will be a Halloween costume contest. 

RSVP by Oct. 14 to Kim Jeter at milamcountyrealy@gmail.com or (512) 760-7194. Please register as a survivor for 2017 at RelayForLife.org/milamtx

The Survivor Dinner is presented by TXU Energy, Little River Healthcare and Abiding Choice Inc. Dinner sponsors are Rotary Club of Cameron Park and Rotary Club of Rockdale City.