News

Milam County residents are invited to place a cross on the Milam County Courthouse lawn in memory of their loved ones this Memorial Day.

The American Legion Auxiliary Post will have crosses available for pick-up at the Cameron Area Chamber of Commerce office. Everyone is invited to decorate a cross in memory of veterans, police officers and first responders who have passed away.

The crosses will be placed on the lawn during a Memorial Day ceremony at 10 a.m. on Memorial Day, May 29. The crosses will stay on display for 10 days.

Anyone placing a cross can come pick up the cross on June 8 or the American Legion will store it until next year.

Contact any Legion member or Jolene Cahill at (254) 697-8987 for information.

A Milano woman is in the Milam County Jail accused of injury of a child with serious bodily injury and exploitation of a child.

The Milam County Sheriff’s Department filed two felony charges against Katelyn Christina Carnline, 28, of Milano for First Degree Felony, Injury to a Child with Serious Bodily Injury and Third Degree Felony, Exploitation of Child, after an initial investigation by Child Protective Services regarding a seven-month-old infant.

According to District Attorney Bill Torrey, the investigation determined that Carnline started an online web page to raise funds for her alleged critically ill child purportedly suffering from a “rare genetic disorder.” The child, placed with other family members by CPS, is now healthy and thriving.

Everyone enjoyed a beautiful day for the Cameron FunFest and BBQ Shootout on May 5-6 at Ledbetter Park in Cameron. Events included a Kid Fish event, children’s 1K, Beer and Brat 5K, shopping, bounce houses and a world class barbecue cook-off.

Cameron will soon have a new police chief.

The Cameron City Council approved the hiring of Waylan Rhodes at the recommendation of Cameron City Manager J. Rhett Parker in a special meeting held Monday, May 8. 

Rhodes is currently Police Chief in Silsbee, where he is in charge of a department of 16 officers.

Rhodes has a total of 33 years in municipal law enforcement. He has 12 years experience as the Chief of Police. Rhodes has advanced management training such as LEMIT, Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas and FBI National Academy and Command College.  He is also a Master Police Officer and has attended The Cooper Institute of Aerobics Research and The Harris County Sheriff’s Academy. 

Cameron City Council

Incumbent Cameron City Councilwoman Virgie Hardeman reclaimed her Ward 5 council post with a win over two opponents. Hardeman took 47 votes to Ruth Canday`s 19 and Mirl Forrest`s 2.

Unopposed candidates declared winners were Daniel Willie, Robert Davis, Jr., and Melissa Williams.

Cameron ISD

Current CISD Board President James Burks coasted to re-election with 243 votes. Roy Martinez won the second open seat with 195 votes in a close race with Melanie Romine. Romine had 192 votes. Jenny Gebhart had 60 votes and Robert Welsh had 44 votes.

Thorndale City Council

Newcomer Ryan Davenport wa overwhelmingly voted in as Thorndale mayor. Davenport garnered 93 votes to Allen Hejl's 54 votes and George Galbreath's 42 votes. Larry Drabek and Stephanie Churchman were returned to their council seats. Churchman had 127 votes and Drabek had 108 votes. Challenger Charles Barnhill had 60 votes.

A woman is in custody and accused of murder following a domestic dispute on May 4 in Cameron.

According to Cameron Police Department Detective Jerry Muhamet, the CPD has arrested a suspect who allegedly murdered a man last night. This case marks the first murder investigation for Cameron PD in 2017.

On Thursday, May 4, at around 7:25 p.m. officers responded to a home in the 600 block of East 6th Street in Cameron on a report of a domestic dispute involving a weapon.  

Upon arrival officers discovered an unresponsive adult male. The victim was transported to a local area hospital. The victim was pronounced deceased by Justice A. Isaacs, Milam County Justice of the Peace, Precinct 3, who ordered an autopsy be performed.

A Cameron native and two others were killed early April 29 in an air-ambulance crash in Amarillo.

Scott Riola, 29, a graduate of C.H. Yoe High School, was killed on the flight. Riola was an aviation flight nurse with Amarillo-based Rico Aviation. Also killed were pilot Robin Shaw and flight nurse Misty Nicholson.

The air-ambulance was headed to Clovis before the crash. It crashed soon after takeoff in the area near Pullman Road and Southeast Third Avenue in Amarillo at about 12:30 a.m. Saturday.

Riola is the son Dominic and Karla Riola. Services are set for Saturday, May 6, at 10 a.m. at St. Monica's Catholic Church in Cameron. Visitation will be held at Marek-Burns-Laywell Funeral Home in Cameron on Friday, May 5, from 6-8 p.m. with a rosary at 7 p.m.

Cameron voters will decide on city and school elections on May 6.

Election Day voting will be at C.H. Yoe High School, 303 East 12th Street in Cameron, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on May 6.

Five people have filed to run for two spots on the Cameron ISD school board. 

Positions held by James Burks and Daniel Willie are up for election. 

Incumbent James Burks has filed for re-election.  

Robert Welsh, Roy Martinez, Melanie Shuffield Romine and Jenny Gebhart have also filed to run.

Six people have filed for Cameron City Council.

Incumbents Melissa Williams, At-Large, Robert Davis, Ward 3, and Vergie Hardeman, Ward 5, have filed for their current places on the council. Daniel Willie has filed for Ward 1 on the council, currently held by Maurice Goza. Goza did not file. Mirl Forrest and Ruth L. Canady have filed for Ward 5.

The community gathered for Family Fun Day at O.J. Thomas Park in Cameron on April 30 to enjoy food and entertainment. A softball tournament and 4-on-4 basketball tournament were also be held. The event featured entertainment for all ages, food, bouncy houses, a photo booth, vendors arts and crafts and a car show. The event was sponsored by Dayana Johnson, Shonda Scott, Eddie Westbrook, Quashima Jackson and Breyana Johnson. They would like to thank the City of Cameron and the community for making the event possible.

Yoe High students will have a new option for gaining college and high school credit starting in the 2017-18 school year.

Cameron Independent School District has finalized plans for providing advanced classes at Yoe High. Dual credit courses will be offered by Temple College on the YHS campus and will be taught by a Temple College professor.

English 1301 and History 1301 will be offered during the Fall 2017 semester. Students must qualify for admission to Temple College by successfully completing either the TSI, ACT, or SAT assessment.

“This is a great opportunity for our students,” CISD Superintendent Allan Sapp said. “Students will be able to gain college credit and save some money while getting ahead of the game with college credits.”

Sapp said online class options will continue for junior and senior level students.