News

Milam County residents took part in National Night Out activities on Oct. 4.

Celebrations were held at the Cameron Police Department and Thorndale City Park.

National Night Out is a crime and drug prevention event that is sponsored nationally by the National Association of Town Watch. This year was the thirty-third anniversary of this event with over 38 million people across the country expected to participate.

Former Milam County Tax Assessor/Collector Kolette Morgan has been ordered by Judge John Youngblood to pay additional restitution in the amount of $16,103.96 to reimburse Milam County for the costs of the external audit which Commissioner’s Court requested to ensure that all missing funds were identified in connection with this matter.

Youngblood ordered the restitution be paid after a hearing on Sept. 16.

Morgan, 48, of Cameron, plead no contest to a Attempted Theft $1,500 to $20k by Public Servant in the 20th Judicial District Court of Milam County on Dec. 9, 2015. Youngblood placed Morgan on three years Deferred Adjudication Probation with standard conditions of probation, and she was ordered to pay a $2,500 fine, court costs and restitution in an amount yet to be determined.  

 The restitution to Milam County was determined to be $7,500 and Judge Youngblood signed an order on Aug. 10, 2016, ordering that amount to be repaid as restitution.

Cameron will celebrate National Night Out on Tuesday, Oct. 4, from 6-8 p.m. at the new Cameron Police Department at 605 West 4th.

According to Police Chief Randy Dixon, as in years past there will be food, fun, giveaways, and booths about health, safety and welfare. 

“This year, we will have musical entertainment provided by Rocking Rick which is a Central Texas entertainer that has played all over Texas,” he said. “There will be cotton candy, a bounce house, a food truck giving away brownie bites and hopefully hot dogs as we did last year.”  

There will also be displays of emergency vehicles and McGruff the Crime Dog will be prowling the area.

The location of the event this year will be adjacent to the new Cameron Police Department located at 605 West 4th in Cameron.  

Standards Home Health and Winnie L. Nursing Center will be the 2016 sponsors of this event.  

By Lindsey Vaculin

General Manager

A piece of history was recognized Saturday morning, Sept. 17, when an official Texas Historical Marker was dedicated at Wilson-Ledbetter Park.

“What a bright future this park has,” Jackie Thornton with the Milam County Historical Commission said. “Many of you, like me, have a long acquaintance with this park. But, you don’t really know the history of it.”

Thornton said the Ledbetters came to the area in 1853 with their 10 children to settle. In less than 10 years, both parents died of consumption and the oldest daughter, Lizzie, took in her brothers and sisters.

“Lizzie lived on Bell Bayou,” she said. “She was a very caring, generous person. She raised more than 20 foster children.”

By Micah Holcombe

Special to the Herald

The 2016 Milam County 4-H Banquet was held on Sunday, Sept. 11, at the Thorndale Fireman’s Hall.  

The afternoon program gave recognition to businesses and individuals for supporting the 4-H program and to 4-Hers achieving success in their projects and contests.

The most recognized and highest award for 4-H is the Gold Star Award. This award was presented to two desiring 4-H members. Patrick Dean and Hannah Hux received this award for 2016. 

The first Gold Star recipient is Hannah Hux. Hux is the daughter of Jeff and Carolyn Hux. She has been a member of the Cameron 4-H Club for the past 10 years. Her main projects include consumer decision making, leadership, clothing and textiles, and health. 

A district-wide pep rally was held this afternoon in celebration of Homecoming. The Yoemen will take on Bay City tonight at 7:30 p.m. at Yoe Field. Check out Yoemen Sports Network for more pics.

Youth Football Registration

Registration is now open for Cameron Youth Flag Football The League is now seeking players for the Fall. Players in 1st through 6th grades are eligible. Cost is $25 and deadline to sign-up is Sept. 16. Practices start Sept. 22. Games will be Sunday afternoons. Pick up registration forms from your PE teacher or at the Fieldhouse.

San Andres Masonic Lodge

The San Andres Masonic Lodge #170 meets every second Thursday of the month at the San Andres Masonic Lodge #170 at 106 W. 6th St. Dinner at 6:30 p.m. followed by a meeting at 7:30 p.m.

Cameron Rotary Club Spaghetti Supper

The Annual Cameron Rotary Club Spaghetti Supper will take place Friday, Sept. 16, from 5-7 p.m. This is the night of the Cameron Yoe Homecoming game. Tickets are $8. The meal includes the spaghetti, salad, garlic bread, dessert and drink (dine-in only for drink).

By Curtis Chubb

Special to the Herald

The 2017 budget for Milam County is signed, sealed, and delivered.   

The Milam County Commissioners Court on Monday voted unanimously to adopt the 2017 budget as it is presented on Milam County’s website.

According to Milam County Judge David Barkemeyer, the income shortfall for this year may be only $500,000 instead of the previously forecasted $1.8 million. The county is now determining how it can use property taxes that have been collected for next year to cover the shortfall for this year. If this financial maneuver is successful, the county will not need to consider short-term loans from banks.

By Lindsey vaculin

General Manager

The Cameron Independent School District continues to see an enrollment increase, and with that comes growing pains.

The CISD Board of Trustees discussed options to handle that increase during its regular meeting on Sept. 12.

“We continue to grow,” CISD Superintendent Alan Sapp said. “We are at 1,666 students, which is 86 more students then we ended with last year. Twenty-five are additional as a result of Pre-K program.”

Sapp said the district has seen pretty significant growth over the last two years. He said the high school, elementary and junior high campuses are continuing to grow and that Ben Milam is the only campus that hasn’t seen an increase in enrollment.

How to handle that growth was the topic during a discussion of long-range facility planning.

Participants in this summer's Cheerleader Mini Camp hosted by the Yoe High cheerleaders cheered the Yoemen on during the first quarter of Friday night's game against China Spring.