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Milam County CPS Board Seeks Sponsors to Brighten Foster Children's Christmas

Fri, 10/31/2025 - 5:20am

The Milam County Child Protective Services Board is asking for the community's help to make Christmas brighter for children in foster and kinship care. Christmas letters have been mailed to potential sponsors, but anyone interested can request one using the contact information below. Each year, the board seeks donors to provide holiday gifts for children in state conservatorship. Last year, local supporters helped provide gifts for 176 children. With the number of children in care continuing to rise, the board hopes to reach even more this year. Sponsors are asked to spend about $150 or more to fulfill a child's wish list. Each sponsor receives the child's first name, age and gift ideas provided by a foster parent or caseworker. Donors may shop for the gifts themselves or make a monetary contribution for the board to purchase items. If sponsoring a child isn't possible, the board welcomes donations of any amount. All funds go directly toward Christmas gifts for children in care and those entering care throughout the year. Milam County is home to about 5,300 youth, and more than 1,200 have had some involvement with the CPS sys-tem. Board members say community support brings joy, comfort and a sense of belonging to children who have experienced trauma and loss. For questions, to request a child's wish list or to donate, contact Rachel Owens, board treasurer, at 512-429-1336, captainneo1@yahoo.com or milamcocpsboard@gmail.com. Donations may also be mailed to Milam County CPS Board, P.O. Box 425, Rockdale, TX 76567. Checks should be made payable to Milam County CPS Board.

About 100 local and area residents attend the Milam County Open House on Thursday, Oct. 23, at the Milam County Junior Livestock Association (MCJLA), where details about the forthcoming Stargate Data Center were shared. Photo by Alexandra Montoya/Cameron

Open AI Hosts Data Center Open House

Fri, 10/31/2025 - 5:20am

Open AI hosted the Milam County Data Center Open House on Thursday, Oct. 23, at the Milam County Junior Livestock Association (MCJLA), where details about the forthcoming Stargate Data Center were shared. Fostering a more conversational and personal response to specific questions, Open AI reps were stationed throughout the space to speak with citizens one on one. Partners and contractors of Open AI manned tables to answer questions by and provide additional information to the public. The casual, come and go format of the event allowed guests to visit with various companies that will be working with Open AI on this pro-ject, including SB Energy, DPR Construction, M.C. Dean Building Intelligence, and Southland. Kaylen Bushell of Open AI provided a few details about the scope of the project, saying that in phases, two half-million-square-foot buildings will be constructed on the approximate 500-acre property in Burlington. Milam County Commissioner James Denman (Pct. 2) sees the potential for a project of this scale, and the job opportunities and tax dollars it will generate for years to come. "They're using closedloop so they're not wasting water, they're generating a lot of their own power with their own solar farms, and the taxes it's going to be bringing to Milam County, especially the north side of Milam County that hasn't had nothing like this ever? It's going to change Cameron, help the businesses," Denman said. "They are going to have plenty of jobs and are looking at hiring straight out of high school, Cameron and Rosebud students both, and the wages are real good." More than 100 local and area residents were in attendance to ask questions and enjoy a meal. Hecho En Texas Barbeque catered the event on Open AI's dime, serving guests free plates of brisket, sausage, and turkey (with fixings- onions, pickles, BBQ sauce, bread), potato salad, green beans, and sweet or unsweet tea. Keep an eye on future editions for more information about the latest developments with Open AI in Milam County.

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