News

John Fitzgerald Page, Jr., 26, was sentenced to 50 years in prison after pleading guilty to first degree murder in the death of Guadalupe (Wally) Rodriguez of Buckholts during a high speed chase on March 15, 2015.

Page entered the guilty on Jan. 11, according to District Attorney Bill Torrey. Page was sentenced by Judge John Youngblood in a hearing Friday in 20th Judicial District Court.

Under the current Texas parole guidelines, Page will be required to serve a minimum of 25 years before becoming eligible – but not entitled to – parole, Torrey said.

When stopped by Caldwell officers investigating a domestic violence report May 15, 2015, Page fled, leading officers on a 38-mile, high-speed chase on U.S. Highway 36 through Cameron and into Buckholts. During the chase, speeds topped 100 miles per hour, according to officials.

The 14th Court of Appeals has affirmed the 2014 capital murder conviction of Sherill Small, who is now serving life in prison for the 2013 death of  a foster child in her care, Alexandra Hill.

The 20th Judicial District Court and District Attorney Bill Torrey were notified of the appeals court decision rendered Wednesday.

Small, 57, of Rockdale, was found guilty by a Milam County jury following more than a week of testimony and four hours of jury deliberation. The verdict automatically sentenced Small to life in prison without parole because the prosecution did not seek the death penalty in the case.

Small was indicted in August 2013 after the child’s death on July 31, 2013 at McLane Children’s Hospital, where she had been treated for blunt force trauma head injuries and internal injuries.

Small’s attorney filed the appeal in December 2014, about a month after the trial.

Buckholts ISD Superintendent Dr. Dirk D. Dykstra announced his departure after four years with the district.

Dykstra cited personal reasons for his decision in a letter to the community released Wednesday evening.

“Living over three hours away from my wife has become more and more difficult for me ... and it is time for us to be together daily again,” he said.

Dykstra noted the district has “improved academically on all the Indexes that TEA measures us on.” 

“I did not want to leave a job undone and decided to stay until the testing was complete so we would not lose the momentum we had built,” he said. “This year, we have brought together all the available resources the district had in order to give the staff and students the best chance possible to meet standard. The early results are encouraging.”

By Curtis Chubb

It was daybreak on a day in May 2013 when Milam County cowboy Ruben Wood and his crew from the Milano Livestock Exchange were rounding-up about 300 cattle and their calves at the Crenan Ranch in northern Milam County. When Wood rode up to the waiting double-decker cattle trucks, he realized that it wasn’t a normal roundup: he saw Milam County Sheriff David Greene and Cattle Raisers Association Special Ranger Marvin Wills sitting on the tailgate of a pickup truck.

The men with the badges were there to provide protection and to count the cattle carrying the Double U brand.

That cattle roundup in May 2013 marked a turning point in this story about modern-day cattle theft that took place in Milam County. The cattle, however, were not stolen by the usual methods. This time the cattle were stolen after their owner delivered them to the thief’s ranch as part of a grazing-lease arrangement. 

By Curtis Chubb

Rockdale is fast becoming the hotbed for preservation of Milam County history. Last year, they asked for and received the Milam County Commissioners Court’s help in moving the Sheckels Bridge and the Galbreath Crossing Bridge to their new resting place east of downtown Rockdale. 

On Monday, they were back asking the court’s help in moving a ‘calaboose’ to Rockdale. The word ‘calaboose’ is from the Spanish term ‘calabozo’ which means dungeon. Calabooses were small jails used to incarcerate those accused of crimes prior to the advent of the Texas Commission on Jail Standards since they could not meet the standards. The calabooses were bare of any amenities and consisted of a cell or two with a window full of iron bars. Some were concrete while others were wooden.

According to unofficial results released by the City of Cameron, the local option liquor election passed by a large margin. Only 263 votes were cast in early and election day voting - with 218 votes or 82.89 percent in favor of allowing the sale of mixed drinks in the city limits and 45 votes (17.11 percent) against. The measure was supported by the Cameron Chamber of Commerce, which took the lead in collecting signatures and filing a petition with the city council to get the measure on the ballot in today's special election.

Milano voters appear to have re-elected the mayor who resigned almost a month ago, according to unofficial results of Saturday’s election.

Another successful CPD Shootout BBQ sanctioned cook-off was joined by a new festival at Wilson-Ledbetter Park this past weekend.

Organizers were grateful for beautiful, cooler weather Saturday after lightning and thunder lit up the area Friday night. For the most part, the worst of the storms missed Milam County and there was little rain to dampen the opening evenings events, organizer Daniel Willie said.

The new festival revived several events previously held in conjunction with the Dewberry Festival and other events previously sponsored by the chamber.

“A new non-profit organization, For Cameron, was formed to organize and create the new Cameron Funfest as a component with the CPD Shootout BBQ,” Willie said. In addition to Willie, directors are Julie Sulak, Bobbie Wiesman and Sam Berry. They recruited volunteers and other organizations, such at the VFW Post 2010 Auxiliary to help with the various events.

Early voting for the City of Cameron’s local option liquor election continues through next Tuesday.

The May 7 special election asks voters to consider permitting the legal sale of all alcoholic beverages including mixed beverages (“liquor by the drink”) in the City of Cameron.

The final two days of early voting are Monday, May 2, and Tuesday, May 3. The early voting poll at Cameron City Hall will have extended hours Monday and Tuesday. Voters may cast ballots early between the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.

On Election Day - Saturday May 7 - polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Yoe High School.

This weekend’s new Cameron Fun Fest featuring the annual Cameron Police Department Shoot-out barbecue cook off offers something for everyone with variety of events headquartered at Wilson-Ledbetter Park and the annual Cameron Car Club Classic Car Show on the downtown square.
The barbecue cook off is likely to be the largest sanctioned event in Central Texas, according to Daniel Willie, who is not only one of the organizers of the annual Shoot-out, but serves as president of the Cameron Chamber of Commerce this year. Other organizers are Julie Sulak, Sam Berry and Bobbi Weisman.
The newly minted Cameron Fun Festival this weekend at Wilson-Ledbetter Park features the 5K Beer & Brat Trot, a pet parade for children, washer tournament, horseshoe tournament, Kid Fish, bounce houses, arts and crafts booths, food and beverage concessions, live music on Saturday night and the Shoot-out Barbecue Cook off sponsored by the Police Officers Support Team.

There’s a new sales tax holiday weekend this year, thanks to the Texas Legislature. 
With the potential for severe weather approaching this spring, Texans they can purchase certain supplies tax-free during the Emergency Preparation Supplies Sales Tax Holiday, this weekend, April 23-25, according to Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar.
“The severe weather, fire and flooding we had last year provided a stark reminder that Texans should be prepared for any emergency,” Hegar said. “This tax holiday allows people to save money while ensuring they have the supplies they need if disaster strikes.”
There’s no limit on the number of qualifying items you can purchase.
Qualifying items include:
• batteries, fuel containers, and flashlights priced at less than $75;
• hurricane shutters and emergency ladders priced at less than $300; and
• portable generators priced at less than $3,000.
Purchases that do not qualify include: