News

The top seniors from the graduating class of Yoe High School honored teachers that have impacted their education during a senior breakfast on May 22 at The Yards of Cameron. The top 10 percent invited their favorite teachers to the breakfast and awarded them with a golden apple and a short passage written about the impact they have had on their lives. Pictured from left are: Krista Jones honored by Zack Andress; Susan Dohnalik honored by Bryce Brashear;  Johnathan McHaney honored by Eric Rojas Moreno; Laura Dickson honored by Faith Kistler; Kevin Webb honored by Chandler Barton; Craig George honored by Olivia Duffy and Rebekah Ferguson; Toni Lafferty honored by Neeraj Bhakta; Keri Harris honored by Diego Martinez; and William Yuengel honored by Crystal Martinez.

Cameron City Council swore in new members during Monday night’s meeting along with approving several community events and an Eagle Scout project.

City Secretary Amy Harris administered the oath of office to new council members LeKethia Sims and Kyle Deal and re-elected members Mayor Connie Anderle and Robert Schiller. Council appointed Schiller to serve as Mayor Pro-Tem and Melissa Williams to review weekly accounts payables.

Council also approved the use of the downtown area for October’s Steaktober Fest.

Director of Retail Tourism Melanie Reed said the event is set for Oct. 12-13, which is also Homecoming weekend in Cameron.

She said there will be events on Friday evening this year to draw those who may be home for Homecoming events downtown for some fun.

Council also approved a request for barricades for Monday’s Memorial Day events at the courthouse. The ceremony is set for 10 a.m. on the Milam County Courthouse lawn.

Cameron ISD Superintendent Allan Sapp addressed the school shooting in Santa Fe last week to reassure parents that the district has plans in place to ensure the safety of all students and staff.

In a letter sent to parents last week Sapp said, “My heart goes out to everyone impacted by the tragic events in Santa Fe, Texas.  I know you will join CISD in continuing to pray for all the students, staff, and community of Santa Fe.  I want to assure our families that our district and schools have an updated emergency operation plan that has been created and reviewed in collaboration with local law enforcement.”

He said that CISD’s schools have specific protocols for entry and the district appreciates the understanding of parents as they enforce these protocols for the safety of our children.  

“The safety of CISD students and staff will always remain our top priority,” he said.    

The City of Cameron honored outgoing council member Rose Mondrik for her 28 years of service on the council with a reception on May 14. Mondrik said she has enjoyed her years on the city council. Mayor Connie Anderle, at right, said Mondrik has served the city with fairness over her years on the council always being a voice for the residents of Cameron.

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.

American Legion Auxiliary member Jolene Cahill said that last year’s crosses were damaged by rain and everyone will need to do a new cross from this year.

The crosses will be placed on the lawn during a Memorial Day ceremony at the Courthouse at 10 a.m. on Memorial Day, May 28. The crosses will stay on display until June 10.

You can also contact any Legion member for a cross.

A new 2017 Ford F550 is now housed at the Buckholts Volunteer Fire Department. The brush truck has a 400-gallon water tank and foam capability, giving the department greater capacity to protect the farming community.

“Buckholts is a rural community with limited water sources, so having extra water at the scene helps generate a faster knock down of a fire,” said Buckholts VFD Fire Chief Robert Rodriguez. “The brush truck can also draft from a pond or creek and has 4-wheel-drive that enables firefighters to get in and out of plowed fields where the ground can be soft or difficult to maneuver.”

The dual function apparatus will be used for wildland, structure and car fires, and traffic control, adding value when providing aid on State Highway 36, the main road through Buckholts. 

Charlotte Pipe will soon be expanding its Cameron operations.

The Cameron City Council will approve a tax abatement agreement with the company for expansion during its meeting on May 21. The first readings of the agreements and a public hearing were held at the council’s meeting on May 7.

“This is really exciting,” Cameron Industrial Foundation Executive Director Ginger Watkins said. “One of our existing businesses is looking to expand. Charlotte Pipe is looking to expand and do an investment in excess of $2 million of equipment over three years. They are ready to start working as soon as this is approved.”

Watkins said the first investment will be this year at $2 million and there will be slightly over $1 million in investment for 2019 and 2020.

There will be new faces joining Cameron City Council after Saturday’s election. 

Newcomer Kyle Deal will take the Ward 3 place on the council after beating Will Sanders and Kyle Nuttal. In Ward 4, newcomer LeKethia “KeKe” Sims beat longtime councilmember Rose Mondrik.

Unopposed candidates winning re-election were Mayor Connie Anderle and Ward 2 Councilman Robert Schiller. 

Cameron ISD will soon launch a new push to promote literacy in the community in hopes to better prepare students for their futures – Yoe Nation Reads.

Yoe Nation Reads will stress the importance of literacy and reading to students’ futures.

The push is the result of the Cameron Connection’s discussion of issues facing the district’s students. The Cameron Connection, a group of community members and school district employees, has been meeting monthly since this fall to discuss issues facing the school district and find ways to promote academics in the district.

CISD parents can expect their children to come home with fliers explaining the emphasis as well as books for their children to read this summer. Each student in Pre-K through eighth grade will receive four free books of their choice to take home this summer.

Cameron Connection was formed to support academic success of Cameron ISD’s students. 

Yoe High School has announced its top ten percent graduates for 2018. Valedictorian is Chandler Barton and salutatorian is Olivia Duffy. The top ten percent graduates are, from left, Diego Martinez, Zack Andress, Eric Rojas Moreno, Bryce Brasher, Duffy, Barton, Faith Kistler, Neeraj Bhakta, Rebekah Ferguson and Crystal Martinez. Graduation is set for June 1 at Yoe Field.