News

Cameron Independent School District voters will have five candidates to choose from when they go to the polls 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 Board President James Burks has filed for re-election. Robert Welsh, Roy Martinez, Melanie Shuffield Romine and Jenny Gebhart have also filed to run.

Early voting began on April 24 and will be conducted at City Hall, 100 South Houston in Cameron, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Friday, April 28.

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.

The candidates were each asked to give a brief description of themselves and why they are running for a spot on the CISD Board of Trustees.

James Burks

A Rockdale man is in custody following a raid by the Milam County Sheriff’s Office on April 21.

On April 21 at approximately 2:30 p.m. the Milam County Sheriff’s Office raided a house in the 500 block of College Street in Rockdale.  

The house and occupants were the target of a narcotics search warrant after several complaints had been received about the suspicious activities there.  

Lt. Mike Clore placed the location under surveillance and gathered evidence leading to the search. 

Milam County Deputies and Rockdale officers executed the search warrant and arrested Kelly Ryan Wallace, a 47-year-old white male from Rockdale, charging him with Possession of a Controlled Substance more than 4 grams but less than 200 grams. 

 Additionally deputies seized over 4 grams of methamphetamines, approximately 1,100 dollars in cash, two vehicles, and numerous articles of drug paraphernalia.  

A growing tradition in Cameron will return to Ledbetter Park on May 5 and 6.

The Cameron FunFest and BBQ Shootout will offer the community a weekend of fun events.

The event is in its fourth year and this year will feature more than 60 cook-off teams from as far away as Waller and the Austin area. The Grand Champion of the cook-off will get an invitation to the Kansas City Royal – the biggest cook-off in the country. 

Cook-off events will begin Friday night with events for margaritas, salsa, and chili. There will be live music throughout the cook-off areas and a bounce house area with 25 inflatables for the kids to enjoy.

n By Lindsey Vaculin

General Manager

The Milam County Commissioners Court is moving along with construction of a new building in Thorndale for the Precinct 4 Justice of the Peace.

The court appointed a committee consisting of Commissioners Donald Shuffield and Jeff Muegge and Precinct 4 JP Gary Northcott to study the bids for a new building for JP Pct 4 and report recommendations back to the Court during its meeting on April 24.

The court opened bids from three contractors for the project during the meeting: Ronnie Dorner of Cameron, bid $194,810; Richter Bros. of Thorndale, bid $275,570; and MRI of Thorndale, bid $298,850.

C.H. Yoe High held its prom on April 22 at the Simon George Hall in Cameron. YHS seniors George Welch and Destiny Anderson were named Prom King and Queen. YHS juniors Bryce Brashear and Karla Martinez were named Prom Duke and Duchess. Pictured from left are: Karla Martinez, Destiny Anderson, George Welch and Bryce Brashear.

By Lindsey Vaculin

General Manager

The search for a new police chief for the City of Cameron is moving forward. 

Cameron City Council interviewed two candidates in closed session during its meeting on April 17. According to City Manager Rhett Parker no action was taken to hire anyone.

The City terminated former police chief Randy Dixon’s contract earlier this year to move in a new direction. 

Council also approved hiring Matous Construction, Ltd., for the first phase of the city’s Texas Water Development Board project to rehabilitate the city’s clarifier. Matous was the low bidder for the project with a bid of $1.28 million.  

Construction should begin on the clarifier in about two months after the fabrication is done.

Council also approved a request from Raymond Lara to host a Memorial Car Show on the downtown square on May 21. 

Final figures from the 2017 Milam County Junior Livestock Show showed an impressive sale total of $300,779.60.  

That means more than $100,000 in “added money” was distributed among the 109 animals, and baked goods, selected for the sale. Preliminary sale totals were $202,100 after the April 1 sale.

Sale totals are as follows:

Steers

Grand Champion - Mason Leifeste, Cameron 4-H - buyers Little River Youth Supporters, Kenny and Heather Mingus, Little River Materials, Stoney Liquor, Direct Propane, Milam County Livestock, Brookshire Brothers, Johnson Brothers Ford, 44 Farms, Thigpen Cattle Co., $11,474.60.

Reserve Champion - Carlee Clark, Thorndale FFA - buyers Little River Youth Supporters, Rockdale Country Ford, $6,535.

The Milam Regional Farmers Market will celebrate Earth Day with special events and vendor featured upcycling and recycled goodies on Earth Day, April 22. Falls County Recycling will be available to take goods for recycling. The Cardinal Oak Hill Farm will demonstrate the preparation of a shiitake mushroom log at 10:30 a.m. At 11:30 a.m. a children’s story time and reading will take place. Visit the Milam Regional Farmers Market Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/milamregionalfarmersmarket/ for more information on the vendors and products coming. All events are rain or shine from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Market is at The Yards of Cameron, 301 Adams in Cameron, under the 44 Farms Farmers Market pavilion.

Early voting for city and school elections will begin on April 24.

Early voting will be conducted for both elections at City Hall, 100 South Houston in Cameron, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, April 24, through Friday, April 28.

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.

Over the last 24 hours, the Cameron Police Department has received numerous reports involving counterfeit US money being passed at local businesses as well as other citizens.

The bills so far passed have been counterfeit $5 and $100 bills.

Cameron Police are advising local business owners as well as citizens to check currency being passed and to alert the Cameron Police Department if you believe that any money could be counterfeit. Cameron police are actively investigating these incidents.

Anyone with information in regards to this investigation is asked to contact Cameron Police at (254) 697-6574