News

The Cameron Police Department commended Officer Christopher Ashworth on his performance and conduct over the past several months during the Cameron City  Council meeting on March 6. Sgt. Antony Maskunas, pictured at left, said that Ashworth exemplifies himself regularly citing his recent work locating and apprehending Aaron Rodriguez, a fugitive from Justice. Ashworth acts as the primary evidence officer for the department and due to his diligence the CPD has a 100 percent on-time submission and retrieval rate which greatly aids not only open investigations, but prosecutions as well. Further, in a recent conversation with District and County Attorney Bill Torrey, Ashworth was specifically named as a valuable asset to the community and noted how crucial his role has been in the recent prosecution efforts in the Christopher Johnson sexual assault case. Ashworth was also promoted to Corporal during the meeting.

By Lindsey Vaculin

General Manager

City residents received a letter in the mail this week regarding water violations that happened in late 2012 and early 2013 and City Manager Rhett Parker wants residents to know that they shouldn’t be alarmed.

Cameron resident Clementine Ray spoke to council during the citizen’s comments portion of the Cameron City Council meeting on March 6 about her concerns about the letter.

“We continuously receive these violations and we never really learn if they have improved or if you are still working on them,” she said.

“TCEQ said we have to send this out to our customers,” Parker said. “To be honest this isn’t fair to send out to our citizens about an incident that happened four years ago. Our current water system has been more than adequate it has been superior.”

The Milam County Burn Ban is lifted until further notice according to the county. 

Anyone that is planning to undertake a significant burn of brush piles, pastureland, or other outdoor burn is to contact the appropriate volunteer fire department for instructions on how to properly conduct the burn so as not to endanger surrounding properties before commencing.

By Lindsey Vaculin

General Manager

A major road will soon be closed in the northern part of Milam County.

Commissioners Court approved a resolution in support of closing FM 485 from Highway 77 to FM 2269 to replace the bridge at Cow Creek in Precinct 1 during its meeting on Feb. 27. 

The Texas Department of Transportation will replace the structurally deficient bridge at Cow Creek and plans to close FM 485 to through traffic during the removal and construction of the new bridge. There isn’t a set timeline for the project, but it should begin soon.

Traffic will be rerouted from FM 485 down state Highway 77 to Highway 36 and back to FM 2269 where it will rejoin FM 485 on the other side of the bridge. Local traffic will still be allowed to use FM 485.

By Lindsey Vaculin

General Manager

The Cameron Chamber of Commerce gathered to celebrate Cameron’s past and future at its 83rd annual banquet on Feb. 27.

Those gathered heard from Liz McDermott, who spoke on Cameron’s past, and Bob McClaren, who looked to the future, at the annual event. The Chamber also honored outstanding business and community leaders.

C&W Auto Repair and Cryer Collision were recognized as Business of the Year. Monica Schiller was named Outstanding Chamber Member and Volunteer of the Year. Matt Parker was recognized as Citizen of the Year. Little River Youth Supporters was named Organization of the Year.

The Chamber also recognized the late Ernest Moore with the Lifetime Achievement Award for his years of service to the community. Outgoing Chamber President Daniel Willie presented the award to Moore’s family.

Yoe High School junior Neeraj Bhatka will represent the region at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair in May in Los Angeles after winning the Central Texas Science and Engineering Fair at Texas State Technical College in Waco on Feb. 22.

Bhatka won first place in the plant science division.

Yoe High freshman Rebecca Kostroun was named an alternate to the international event. She placed first in biomedical and health sciences.

Two other Yoe High students also placed at the event. Chandler Barton placed first in Mathematics and Faith Kistler placed third in behavior and social sciences.

All 4 qualified for the State Science and Engineering Fair to be held March 31 in San Antonio.

Bhakta, who wants to attend Texas A&M University, said his project, “The Reaction of Vegetation to Cultivation after Remaining Undisturbed for 15 Years,” was tied to his longtime appreciation for nature.

By Lindsey Vaculin

General Manager

The City of Cameron took its first steps in hiring a new police chief during its meeting Feb. 21 naming a committee to begin the search.

Mayor Connie Anderle, Councilmember Robert Davis and City Manager Rhett Parker will serve on the committee, which will read over applications and submit finalists to the whole council.

Parker told council that the police department is currently running smoothly under the direction of himself and three sergeants – Chris Stringer, Tony Maskunas and Jerry Muhamet. 

He said each of the sergeants is taking on a different administrative role. The department has also moved Officer Clay Domel from animal control to being a full-time police officer and hired on a new officer last week. He said the department is currently conducting interviews to hire one additional officer. 

Everyone enjoyed sunshine and baseball at Opening Day at The Yards of Cameron on Feb. 18. Young and old alike took part in activities throughout the day including a Wiffle Ball Tournament, Yoe Alumni game, Home Run Derby and Farmers Market.

The ballot is set for the May 6 city and school elections in Cameron.

Five people have filed to run for two spots on the Cameron ISD school board. Six people have filed for Cameron City Council.

Positions held by James Burks and Daniel Willie are up for election. 

Incumbent James Burks has filed for re-election.  

Robert Welsh, Roy Martinez, Melanie Shuffield Romine and Jenny Gebhart have also filed to run.

According to City Secretary Amy Harris, six people have filed for places on the city ballot. 

Incumbents Melissa Williams, At-Large, Robert Davis, Ward 3, and Vergie Hardeman, Ward 5, have filed for their current places on the council. Daniel Willie has filed for Ward 1 on the council, currently held by Maurice Goza. Goza did not file. Mirl Forrest and Ruth L. Canady have filed for Ward 5.

Buckholts

Four places on the Buckholts ISD school board are also up for election May 6.

A severe storm with high winds raced through Milam County early Monday morning leaving several without power, multiple downed power lines and debris across the county.

Cameron residents on the north side of town were without power for most of Monday after high winds knocked down and tree and power lines near the Arlidge Storage Units along Highway 77.

Thorndale residents woke up to no power and extensive damage after a storm bought 70- to 80-mile hour winds to the area.

The winds damaged several power lines leaving the city and most of the area without power until late Monday. Damage was done to roofs, barns and many trees were knocked down due to the wind.

The lights at the Thorndale ISD athletic fields were knocked over along with damage done to a silo along the railroad tracks.

Residents and business owners were left to clean up the mess.