News

The search for a new police chief for Cameron continues.

Cameron City Manager Rhett Parker told city council members that interviews have been ongoing for the position during its meeting June 19. Parker said he hopes to make a recommendation for interviews with the council soon.

During the meeting council also heard from Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Agent Micah Holcombe about the Cameron PlayStreets program that is planned for later this summer.

Holcombe told council the program will run in conjunction with Feeders of the Lambs’ summer food program at Cameron Elementary’s playground. The program is set for July 20 and Aug. 1, 17 and 24 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

PlayStreets encourages neighborhood organizations and residents with play spaces to come together, be safe and get active. There will be bounce houses, potato sack races, hula hoops, bikes, football, soccer, bubbles and reading time, along with other outdoor activities and healthy snacks.

A Cameron man died early Sunday morning in a rollover accident about a mile south of Rockdale, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety.

Cirilo Castillo, 23, was driving a 2010 Ford Mustang north on Highway 77 just south of County Road 325 at about 1:50 a.m. when he failed to negotiate a curve and struck a culvert. The car went airborne before rolling.

Castillo was pronounced dead at the scene by Milam County Justice of the Peace Sam Berry. 

The only other passenger in the car, Jorge Martinez, 21, of Cameron, was ejected from the car. He was transported by ambulance to St. Joseph’s Hospital in Bryan, where he was in stable condition. 

Castillo was wearing his seatbelt. Martinez was not wearing his seatbelt.

Trooper Michael McHale and Corporal Erik Gaston responded to the accident.

A Cameron Junior High student is set to compete at the National Junior High Rodeo Finals in Tennessee June 18-25.

The Texas Junior High Rodeo State finals were held May 21-27 in Gonzales. Students from 10 rodeo regions across the state came and competed in 13 events. Each region sends the top 10 students in each event to the state finals so that most events have 100 competitors in them.

Cameron junior high had four students represent Cameron at the state finals.  

Cameron Independent School District board members Roy Martinez and James Burks were sworn in during CISD’s Monday night meeting. Both were elected in May. The board also honored outgoing board member Daniel Willie for his three years of service to the school district. Pictured from left, Greg Hoelscher, Roy Martinez, James Burks, Daniel Willie, Superintendent Allan Sapp, Jason Dohnalik, Franci Denio and James Thompson. The board also named officers during the meeting. Officers are James Burks, president; James Thompson, vice president; and Franci Denio, secretary.

By Lindsey Vaculin

General Manager

Milam County Commissioners tabled a vote on the purchase of new voting equipment for the county to allow the cities and school districts time to present the option to their councils and boards during its meeting June 12.

Rockdale City Manager Chris Whitaker, Thorndale City Secretary Staci Irwin and Thorndale ISD’s LouAnn Rubio spoke during citizen’s comments about the projected cost of the equipment and the strain that would put on their budgets.

“We would like some time to adjust to the cost and we would like some time to digest the impact to our small city,” Irwin said. 

County Judge David Barkemeyer said that in order to get the voting machines in time for the November election an order needs to be placed soon. 

By Lindsey Vaculin

General Manager

Milam County held a special meeting to discuss its aging elections equipment on June 6.

According to Milam County Clerk Barbara Vansa, the equipment the county currently uses is 12 years old.

“We had a couple of issues a few elections ago,” Vansa said.  “The machines in Rockdale had some issues. We have had little minor issues. All of our votes have been counted.”

County commissioners, school district representatives, city representatives and elections judges heard a presentation from Hart Intercivic, the current provider of the county’s election machines, on its new model.

Vansa said the new Hart system is a simpler way of voting that is easier for voters and election judges.

The new units feature a tablet and touch-screen voting. They will streamline the process. They are also lighter and easier to store and move around.

Cameron ISD Humanitarians of the Year were, from left, Ben Milam - Cecilia McAtee, Cameron Elementary - Kathy Winkler, and Yoe High - Vickie Kopriva. Cameron Junior High Humanitarian of the Year was Mary Ann Lara, who passed away earlier this year. Her family received the award in her memory, 

Cameron Independent School District honored its outstanding teachers on May 27 during a ceremony. Teachers of the Year, from left, were Ben Milam - Tammy Zarosky, Yoe High - Brian Kopriva, Cameron Junior High - Laci Rasberry, and Cameron Elementary - Abigail Garcia. 

Milam County Sheriff David Greene and the Department`s Brown Santa Program will host the 7th annual Brown Santa Golf Tournament on Saturday, July 15.  

The program was established in 2010 to accept donations and other charitable items to provide Christmas gifts to low income families throughout Milam County.

“We had our biggest golf tournament ever last year,” Milam County Sheriff’s Department Lt. John Mendoza said. “We raised enough to provide for over 300 kids in Milam County.”

The tournament will be held at the Cameron Country Club. The tournament is also accepting Hole Sponsorships at $100 per hole. Cost to play is $50. Tee times will be at 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. Food, drinks, and prizes will be provided. 

All proceeds and donations will go to the Milam County Brown Santa Program. For information, call (254) 627-1270 or e-mail jmendoza@milamcounty.net.

Yoe High Class of 2017 graduates walk onto the field before Friday night's commencement ceremony.