News

After months of work behind the scenes, the 2018 Milam County Junior Livestock Show will kick off next week.

Hundreds of FFA and 4-H Club youth are participating in the show at the Youth Exposition Building off downtown Cameron.

Events get under way March 22 starting with the home economics baking divisions at 8:30 a.m.

This year’s baking events will be held in the dining room at the Youth Expo building, Extension Agent Micah Holcombe said. 

Livestock events start at 5:30 p.m. on March 22 with the poultry shows, followed by judging for the market rabbits. 

Activities start early Friday with the market swine show at 9 a.m. and continue with goats at 12:30 p.m., lambs at 3 p.m., breeding beef heifers at 5 p.m. and steers at 6 p.m. 

The premium sale at 6 p.m. Saturday concludes the show.

Schedule of events

THURSDAY, MARCH 22

The Fleur-de-Lis Garden Club gathered at the Cameron City Library to plant a live oak tree for Arbor Day on March 10. Mayor Connie Anderle signed an Arbor Day Proclamation in honor of the occasion. Arbor Day began in Nebraska in 1872 with an initial planting of more than one million trees. The Texas Legislature passed it into law in 1889.  Arbor Day continues to be observed around the world in recognition of the benefits of trees to the environment, economy, and general well-being of those who benefit from their presence.

County residents are urged to sign up for the Emergency Notification System through the CodeRed/ONSOLVE system.

According to Susan Reinders with Milam County Homeland Security, the county conducted a push for people to sign up for the system several years ago and they have recently indentified that hardly anyone is registered.

“Many have let go of their landline phones and now operate only with mobile devices,” Reinders said. “Landline numbers transferred to the ENS with the support of Central Texas Council of Governments 911 department, but cell/mobile devices are not. Since there are so many carriers it is impossible to transfer those numbers. We are trying to reach the communities within Milam County and educate on the purpose and use of having access to CodeRED/ONSOLVE.”

Signing up for the system is quick and simple. 

Former Milam County Treasurer Donna Orsag pleaded guilty Tuesday to a felony tampering with evidence charge, according to a press release from the Milam County District Attorney’s Office.

Orsag, 57, of Cameron, resigned in September 2017 amid a theft investigation. She pleaded “open” in 20th Judicial District Court before Judge John Youngblood on March 13.

Sentencing and restitution will be determined after a pre-sentence investigation and a sentencing hearing.

The state is seeking five years’ probation including shock probation, which would require Orsag to spend 180 days in state prison, a $10,000 fine, court costs and restitution of about $9,700.

A sentencing hearing is scheduled for May 1.

The Cameron Chamber of Commerce has announced the kick off of Business of the Month Awards for the 2018 year.

“Our city is full of so many great businesses and hard workers, and it is time to come together as a community to recognize them,”

Chamber Director Melanie Reed said. “Members of the public may nominate local businesses for the award each month. These nominations will then be reviewed by a committee, and a winner will be selected.”

Businesses that receive the award will be recognized with: a photo and story about the business in The Cameron Herald sponsored by the Cameron Chamber of Commerce; a sign presented at the place of business for the month; and winners will be placed into nomination for Business of the Year, which will be awarded at the annual Chamber Banquet.

Two newcomers will face off in the race for County Judge in November.

Republican Steve Young beat out former judge Frank Summers to earn a spot on the November ballot. He will face Democrat Jared Melde.

Young garnered 1,865 votes to Summers’ 1,386 votes.

In the race for County Treasurer, current sitting treasurer Linda Acosta costed to a win with 2,018 votes compared to challenger Jennifer “Jenger” Epperson-Moran’s 975 votes.

Current Precinct 2 County Commissioner Donald Shuffield will remain in office. He received 389 votes, while challengers James Condry and Doug Baker received 158 and 220 votes respectively.

The race for Justice of the Peace in Precinct 1 was a closed one between Greg Hoelscher and Robert Hollas, but Hoelscher came out on top. Hoelscher received 480 votes to Hollas’ 453 votes.

The Cameron Chamber of Commerce gathered to celebrate its 100 years of serving the community at its annual banquet on Feb. 22.

The highlight of the evening was guest speaker Chet Garner with PBS’s “The Daytripper.” Garner spoke to the crowd of over 200 gathered at the Williams Civic Center about his adventures traveling Texas with his show and about how Cameron and Milam County have special attractions that no one else has.

“You guys have a beautiful town and community,” Garner said. 

Several community members were also honored during the evening’s events with awards: Volunteer of the Year went to Bob Yates. Organization of the Year went to the Milam Community Theater. Business of the Year went to Courtney and Jeremy Renaud with the Bling Box. Chamber Members of the Year were Micah Holcombe and Lindy Sanders. Citizens of the Year went to the members of Feeders of the Lambs.

Voice of Democracy winners were: first place Olivia Duffy from Cameron, second place Noah O. Benavides from Milano, and third place Amanda Storey from Milano. Pictured, from left, are Tom Wiley with the VFW, Olivia Duffy, Noah Benavides, Amanda Storey, and Diana Parker with the Ladies Auxiliary.

A fiery three-vehicle crash early Wednesday, Feb. 28, in Cameron left one person dead and sent two others to the hospital.

The accident happened just after 6 a.m. Wednesday, in the 500 block of North Columbus Avenue (FM 2269), and involved an 18-wheeler and two vehicles, one of which caught on fire.

According to Sgt. Anthony Maskunas with the Cameron Police Department, upon arrival it was found that a tractor trailer and two vehicles were involved. The driver of the vehicle that was on fire, 32-year-old Wilfredo Torres Martinez of Cameron, was found to be deceased. Officers attempted to put out the fire, but it rekindled and had to be put out by the Cameron Fire Department.

The driver of the 18-wheeler and the second vehicle were taken to Scott & White Medical Center in Temple for non-life-threatening injuries.

The other driver was pronounced deceased by Justice of the Peace Sam Berry.

Cameron City Council heard updates from department heads and the city manager about the installation of gas meters during its meeting Feb. 20.

City Manager Rhett Parker told council that Atmos Energy is currently working on installing new meters throughout the city, but issues have come up with where they are placing the meters.

“I’ve spoke to Atmos about where the meters are being placed,” Parker said.  “I went around town and took photos of where they are placing them and told them it is unacceptable. A meter shouldn’t be placed in someone’s front yard so it is the first thing you see.”

Parker said some meters are right in the middle of people’s yards and it takes away from curb appeal. 

“It is my understanding that most of those meters were placed by a contractor Atmos hired,” he said. “They should be talking to the citizens about where to place the meters.”