News

Attention Cameron Herald and Thorndale Champion readers: Due to circumstances out of our control with the printers your Jan. 24 issue of The Cameron Herald or Thorndale Champion will be delayed. Subscribers can expect their paper in the mail on Friday morning if you do not receive in on Thursday. The paper will be out on the newstands by mid-morning Thursday. We appreciate your readership and apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. Thank you again.

Bill Orlin, a Jewish survivor of The Holocaust during World War II, spoke to students from Yoe High School and Rogers High School on Monday about his experiences as a seven-year-old boy during the war. Orlin and his family were displaced from their home in Poland during the Nazi occupation and began a journey across Eastern Europe and Russia during the war. Orlin now lives in Houston after immigrating to the United States. He speaks to groups about his experiences across Texas. He is 86 years old. The Cameron History Club brought him in for the program.

Currently the Union Pacific Railroad is closing the SH 36 bridge at the railroad in Milano. 

This closure is necessary because the bridge was struck by an oversized load. At this time, they do not know how long the SH 36 bridge will be closed.

Motorists will need to find an alternate route until the bridge is repaired.

For more information, contact Bobby.Colwell@txdot.gov or (979) 778-9764.

Bitmain has not suspended operations in Milam County but rather is scaling down the size of its operation for the time being.

Milam County Judge Steve Young said in a statemnent on Wednesday, “I regret to report that Bitmain has suspended operations at the Alcoa site. All of the employees have been laid off except for the HR person and two engineers. We understand that Bitmain made the decision due to the low prices of the bitcoin and the declining stock market.”

Young said that he was contacted by a Bitmain representative late Wednesday who said an official statement would be coming sometime today.

The statement said:

The Cameron Economic Development Corporation, City of Cameron, and Chamber of Commerce are pleased to announce that the Façade Grant program is again accepting applications for facade improvements on buildings in the Business and Commercial Districts of the City.

The application deadline is Jan. 25 for this round of funding.  All businesses interested in making improvements to their building façade are encouraged to submit an application no later than Jan. 25.

The program was established to assist existing businesses, along the highway and in the business district, with improvement to their building exteriors.  

New Milam County Judge Steve Young, right, accepted the key to the courthouse from former Milam County Judge David Barkemeyer, left, on Jan. 1 as District Court Judge John Youngblood looks on. New county officials were sworn in during a ceremony on Jan. 1 at the Milam County Courthouse to begin their terms.

Milam County Sheriff Chris White has said the county has been advised by Bell County Emergency Management that the high water has caused a breach at the Roger's Lake dam.

"There will be an increase in water moving down-hill, however It is uncertain if there is any immediate danger to people or property," White said. "Milam County Precinct 1 Commissioner Opey Watkins is headed to the area as is one of my deputies to examine and monitor the situation and give notice to any persons that might be affected. We believe that the area that could be immediately affected would be County Roads 102 and possibly 103. Additional county roads south of the location are 100 and 101."

White said to please note there does not appear to be an immediate danger issue, only a situation that is evolving and being monitored by emergency services. Milam County EMC Susan Reinders is also staying in contact with Bell County to keep us up to date.

Updated 1-3-19 at 8:30 a.m.

Update on Road Closures - TxDOT reports that roads closed overnight were FM 487 at Val Halla Farms, FM 486 South at Brushy Creek, FM 908 at Brushy Creek, FM 486 at Little River, FM 1915 South at Little River, FM 437 at Little River, FM 2269 at Big Elm, FM 437 at Donahoo Creek, and FM 1915 North at Big Elm, County Roads - 445 at Brushy Creek, 437 at Turkey Creek, 417 and 418 near Davilla, 116, 119, 120 at creek crossings, 240/Ball Park Road at Big Elm and 227 at Little River. These roads are closed due to dangerously high and swift moving water -PLEASE DO NOT ATTEMPT TO CROSS, Turn Around - Don't Drown.

Check http://conditions.drivetexas.org/current/ for up to date road conditions.

A flood warning has now been issued for Milam County near Rockdale and Cameron. The flood warning will extend into Saturday.

As of noon today, Jan. 2, the Little River near Rockdale is expected to crest above the 30-foot flood stage tonight before receding below the flood stage into Saturday. With a predicted crest of 32 feet, moderate lowland flooding is expected.

As of noon today, Jan. 2, the Little River near Cameron is also expected to rise above the 30-foot flood stage by Friday and should then recede into Saturday. At the predicted crest of 32-feet, moderate flooding is expected.  

A flash flood watch has been issued for Burleson, Lee, and Williamson Counties and a Flood Warning for Robertson County. 

Cameron Elementary students have a lot to celebrate this holiday.

UIL participants brought home gold from district competition in December.

The following students were winners.

Fifth Grade

Kelton Driska placed sixth in Chess Puzzles.

The Music Memory Team coached by Lori Eldridge placed third. Team members were Lorena Gil, Merci Kistler, Rigoberto Merino, Yahtziry Saucedo, Dylan Stowe, Shaleigh Adindu, and Kamile Cartwright.

In Music Memory Dylan Stowe placed third and Yahtziry Saucedo placed sixth.

The Number Sense Team coached by Jana Beckhusen placed third. Team members were Jabe Conorly, Cesar Najera, Logan Akin and Kelton Driska. Jabe Conorly was first place, Cesar Najera was third place, and Logan Akin was fifth place.