Category: Central Texas News

If you live in rural Central Texas, chances are pretty good that you either own animals or have neighbors who do.

Cattle, horses, dogs, cats and other animals are part of everyday life for many of us. That’s why the return of New World screwworm to Texas is something worth paying attention to.

Texas has now confirmed New World screwworm cases in several parts of the state. A recent case involving a working ranch horse in Presidio County is another reminder that animal owners need to know what to watch for.

At this time, Milam County is not listed among the Texas counties with New World screwworm infested zones. There is no reason to panic, but there is a good reason to be informed.

Texas Animal Health Commission.

What Is New World Screwworm?

Despite its name, New World screwworm isn’t actually a worm.

It is a type of fly. The problem begins when the female fly lays eggs in or near an open wound or other opening on a warm-blooded animal.

When those eggs hatch, the larvae feed on living tissue.

That’s what makes New World screwworm different from many of the maggots we normally associate with dead or decaying material. Screwworm larvae can actually burrow into healthy, living tissue and make a relatively small wound much larger and much more serious.

Without treatment, an infestation can cause severe injury and can even kill an animal.

Texas DSHS – New World Screwworm Information.

What Animals Can Get Screwworm?

Cattle are a major concern, but New World screwworm isn’t limited to cattle.

It can affect horses, goats, sheep, pigs and other livestock. Dogs and cats can also become infested.

Wildlife can be affected as well.

That makes this an issue for more than ranchers. Someone with a couple of cows, a horse in the pasture or simply dogs and cats around the house should know what an infestation can look like.

Pay Particular Attention to Wounds

One of the most important things animal owners can do is pay attention to wounds.

A cut from a fence, an injury, a surgical incision or another break in the skin can provide a place for a screwworm fly to lay its eggs.

Check animals regularly, especially if you know they have a wound.

If something that looked like a small injury suddenly becomes larger or doesn’t appear to be healing normally, take a closer look and contact your veterinarian.

What Should You Look For?

An animal with a New World screwworm infestation may appear irritated or uncomfortable.

There may be an open wound or sore that is getting worse rather than better. The wound may have an unpleasant odor, and larvae may be visible in or around it.

Those signs don’t automatically mean an animal has New World screwworm. There are other types of flies and larvae that can be found around wounds.

The important thing is not to try to diagnose it yourself.

If you see larvae in a wound or suspect a screwworm infestation, contact your veterinarian promptly.

Dogs and Cats Need Watching Too

Those of us in the country tend to think about cattle and horses first when we hear about an agricultural pest.

But don’t forget the dogs and cats.

Check pets when they come inside, especially if they’ve been injured or have an open sore. Outdoor dogs and cats deserve particular attention because they naturally spend more time around flies.

If your pet has a wound, keeping it clean and following your veterinarian’s instructions becomes even more important while New World screwworm is present in Texas.

Good Fly Control Can Help

Keeping flies under control around animals is always a good idea.

Keep animal areas as clean as reasonably possible and avoid allowing manure, wet bedding or other material that attracts flies to accumulate.

Animal owners should also practice good wound care and talk with their veterinarian about appropriate fly-control and animal-health measures for their particular animals.

There isn’t one solution that is right for every animal or every property, so veterinary guidance is especially important.

What Should You Do If You Suspect Screwworm?

Early detection is important.

If you suspect New World screwworm in livestock or a pet, contact your veterinarian and the Texas Animal Health Commission as soon as possible.

Don’t simply treat a suspicious wound and forget about it.

Texas animal-health officials are tracking cases because knowing where infestations are occurring is an important part of controlling the spread.

Suspected cases involving wildlife should be reported to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

What Is Texas Doing About It?

New World screwworm isn’t new to Texas.

It was once a serious livestock problem throughout the southern United States before being eradicated from the United States in the 1960s.

One of the most interesting tools being used again today is the sterile insect technique.

Large numbers of sterile male screwworm flies are released into affected areas. Female screwworm flies mate only once. When they mate with a sterile male, the eggs they produce don’t hatch.

Over time, that can dramatically reduce the screwworm population.

Federal and state officials are currently using sterile fly releases along with surveillance, animal inspections and other measures to fight the outbreak.

What Does This Mean for Milam County?

For now, this is a be aware, not be afraid situation for those of us in Milam County.

Milam County is not currently listed as part of the state’s New World screwworm infested zone.

But Texas already has confirmed cases, and the situation can change.

If you own cattle, horses, dogs, cats or other animals, get into the habit of looking them over regularly. Pay attention to wounds. Keep animal areas reasonably clean and take unusual wounds or visible larvae seriously.

Most importantly, don’t wait several days hoping that a suspicious wound will clear up on its own.

Country Living Means Keeping an Eye on Things

Living in Central Texas comes with a lot of benefits, but it also means keeping an eye on our property and the animals that depend on us.

Sometimes it’s a loose fence board. Sometimes it’s a leaking pipe. And sometimes it’s noticing that an animal has a small injury that needs attention before it becomes something much bigger.

New World screwworm is another one of those things we need to know about without becoming unnecessarily alarmed.

At Driscoll Home Services, we’re part of the same rural Central Texas community. We’ll continue watching developments that could affect our homes, properties, families and animals and pass along information when there’s something our neighbors need to know.

Rockdale has seen some big changes since the old Alcoa plant closed. And another major development is now taking shape.

Bitdeer Technologies Group announced on September 1, 2026, that it has purchased approximately 200 acres of land in Milam County. It will be near its existing Rockdale facility. The company paid approximately $100 million for the property. Saying it plans to use the land to support the development of artificial intelligence and high-performance computing infrastructure.

For those of us who live in and around Rockdale, this is another sign of just how much the former industrial area is changing.

SEC filing.

What Is Planned for the Rockdale Texas Data Center?

Bitdeer already operates a large facility near Rockdale that has primarily been associated with Bitcoin mining.

The company has increasingly been moving into artificial intelligence and high-performance computing, commonly called HPC. The newly purchased property is expected to give Bitdeer room to develop more of that infrastructure alongside its existing operations.

In simple terms, a data center is a facility filled with powerful computer equipment used to process and store enormous amounts of information. AI data centers require particularly large amounts of computing power.

Bitdeer says its Milam County properties currently have approximately 563 megawatts of interconnected electrical capacity. Existing plans could eventually increase that to 742 megawatts.

That’s one reason Rockdale is attractive for this type of development.

Why Rockdale?

Older residents of Milam County will remember when the Alcoa aluminum plant was one of the area’s major employers.

Aluminum production is gone. But some of the infrastructure that supported large industrial operations helped make this part of Milam County attractive to another generation of large-scale businesses.

Bitdeer specifically pointed to Rockdale’s existing electrical connections, transmission infrastructure and substations when discussing its plans for the property.

The company now owns or operates approximately 255 acres in Milam County.

From Aluminum to Bitcoin to Artificial Intelligence

The changes around the former Alcoa property tell an interesting story about how our local economy continues to evolve.

For decades, the area was associated with aluminum production. More recently, Rockdale became nationally known for large cryptocurrency mining operations.

Now artificial intelligence may become another part of that story.

Bitdeer says its existing Rockdale operation is being evaluated for a transition from cryptocurrency mining toward AI cloud or data-center uses, while the newly purchased land gives the company additional room for future AI and high-performance computing development.

Exactly how quickly that transition will happen remains to be seen.

What Could This Mean for Milam County?

A $100 million land purchase is significant for a rural county, but it is important not to get ahead of what has actually been announced.

Large projects can bring construction activity, investment and other economic opportunities to an area. They can also raise questions among local residents about infrastructure, utilities, water, roads and long-term development.

Those are reasonable things for Milam County residents to watch as the project moves forward.

At this point, however, Bitdeer’s announcement primarily concerns the acquisition of the property and the company’s plans for future AI and high-performance computing development.

We don’t yet know all of the details about what will ultimately be built on the new property or how development will affect the surrounding community.

Data Centers and the Texas Power Grid

The amount of electricity required by data centers has become a major issue throughout Texas.

That makes Rockdale’s existing electrical infrastructure particularly important.

Bitdeer says its Rockdale location already has a large-load electrical connection and established transmission and substation infrastructure. The company believes those existing connections put the property in a strong position for future development.

Texas officials and regulators are also taking a closer look at requests from large data centers seeking connections to the state’s electrical grid. With AI development growing rapidly across Texas, this is an issue that will likely continue receiving attention.

For local residents, it is worth following what happens—not assuming that either the best- or worst-case predictions will necessarily come true.

What About Water?

Water is another subject that naturally gets people’s attention in Central Texas.

Bitdeer’s announcement says its Milam County sites have a dedicated water supply, but that statement alone doesn’t tell us what future AI development will require.

Different data centers use different cooling technologies and can have very different water requirements.

As plans for the Rockdale property become more specific, this is another area where local residents should pay attention to actual project information rather than rumors or assumptions.

Another Chapter for Rockdale

Those of us who have lived around Rockdale for a long time have watched this area go through quite a transformation.

The Alcoa plant once represented a huge part of the local economy. After its decline and closure, few people probably imagined that the same area would eventually attract cryptocurrency companies and artificial intelligence infrastructure.

Yet that is exactly what is happening.

Whether this latest development ultimately becomes a major AI data center or evolves in another direction, a $100 million investment in 200 acres of Milam County property is something worth watching.

At Driscoll Home Services, we work with families and homeowners throughout this part of Central Texas. Changes this large can eventually affect the communities where we live and work, which is why we’ll continue keeping an eye on developments around Rockdale and throughout Milam County.

A new Texas law affecting manufactured homes went into effect September 1, 2026. In Central Texas, manufactured homes are a common part of both rural and small-town living. So this is a change worth knowing about.

Senate Bill 785 changes some of the rules Texas cities can use when deciding where new manufactured homes may be placed.

Texas Legislature Online.

SB 785 Resource Center.

What Changed Under the New Texas Manufactured Home Law?

Under the new law, most Texas cities that have zoning regulations can no longer use their zoning rules to completely exclude new HUD-code manufactured homes from the city.

Cities with zoning must provide at least one residential zoning classification or district where a new HUD-code manufactured home can be installed by right.

That doesn’t mean manufactured homes can suddenly be placed anywhere.

Cities still have considerable control over which areas are designated for manufactured homes. What has changed is that, in most cases, a city with zoning must provide an actual area where new manufactured homes are allowed.

The Law Applies to New HUD-Code Manufactured Homes

There is an important distinction in the new law.

Senate Bill 785 specifically addresses new HUD-code manufactured homes. It does not mean that every mobile home or older manufactured home is covered by the new requirements.

HUD-code manufactured homes are homes built according to federal manufactured housing construction and safety standards.

This is one reason homeowners should check the rules for their particular property before buying or moving a home.

Cities Still Have Local Zoning Authority

The new Texas manufactured home law doesn’t eliminate local zoning.

A city can still decide where manufactured homes are appropriate and establish zoning districts for them. The law simply prevents most cities with zoning from having rules that effectively leave no place within the city for a new HUD-code manufactured home.

There are also exceptions involving historic districts, certain existing deed restrictions and some municipalities that meet specific requirements under the law.

So if you’re considering purchasing property or placing a manufactured home, don’t assume the new state law automatically means you can put the home on a particular piece of land.

Check first.

What About Property Outside the City Limits?

Here in Central Texas, this is particularly important because many of us don’t live inside incorporated city limits.

Someone living outside Rockdale, Cameron, Thorndale, Milano or another community may be dealing with very different rules than someone purchasing property inside town.

The new law specifically changes how municipalities regulate manufactured housing through zoning.

If you’re considering a manufactured home on rural property, you should still check for deed restrictions, utility requirements, septic requirements, floodplain concerns, access and any other rules that may apply to the property.

Deed Restrictions Can Still Matter

One thing homeowners should not overlook is deed restrictions.

A piece of property may be located in an area where local zoning allows a manufactured home but still have private deed restrictions affecting what can be placed there.

The new law contains protections for certain deed restrictions that were already in existence.

That’s another good reason to research a property carefully before purchasing a manufactured home or making plans for a homesite.

Don’t Forget the Property Around the Home

Whether you own a manufactured home or a traditional site-built home, many of the same property-maintenance issues apply.

Good drainage around the home is important. Gutters and downspouts need to move water away from the structure. Trees and limbs should be kept away from the roof, and homeowners should watch for plumbing leaks and water collecting underneath or around the home.

In Central Texas, we also have to think about extreme heat, drought, severe thunderstorms and the occasional hard freeze.

A little preventive maintenance can save a lot of trouble later.

Why This Matters in Central Texas

Manufactured homes have long been part of rural Central Texas.

For some families they provide an affordable way to own a home. They can also make it possible for family members to live near one another while still maintaining separate households.

The new Texas manufactured home law may create additional opportunities in some communities that previously had very restrictive zoning.

But it is not a blanket permission to place a manufactured home anywhere.

Before buying a home or property, find out exactly what rules apply to the location you’re considering.

A Good Rule: Check Before You Buy

If you’re thinking about buying property for a manufactured home, a few phone calls before signing anything can prevent some expensive surprises later.

Check with the city if the property is inside city limits. Review any deed restrictions. Find out about water, electricity and wastewater service. If the property will use a septic system, determine what will be required.

And make sure you know whether the particular home you’re considering qualifies as a new HUD-code manufactured home under the law.

The new law may open some doors for manufactured housing in Texas, but every property is different.

Here at Driscoll Home Services, we spend a lot of time working in homes and on properties throughout Central Texas. One thing we’ve learned over the years is that it is almost always easier—and cheaper—to ask questions and find potential problems before you make a major decision rather than afterward.

As we recently discussed in our article about the Milam County burn ban, Central Texas has been dealing with some brutally hot and dry weather lately. And those conditions don’t just make it uncomfortable to be outside. They can also increase the danger of wildfires.

The Texas A&M Forest Service reported that on August 25 it had received 17 requests for assistance on wildfires that burned more than 52,000 acres across Texas. The state’s wildfire preparedness level is currently at Level 3.

The National Weather Service has also warned that extreme heat, low humidity and dry vegetation can create conditions where fires start easily and spread quickly.

Wildfire Danger in Central Texas Is Increasing

Here in Milam County, we’re still experiencing very hot weather. Cameron and Rockdale are under a Heat Advisory today, August 26, with temperatures around 104 degrees and heat-index values potentially reaching 107.

With conditions like these, this is a good time to take another walk around our homes and properties and look for some of the little things that could make a big difference if a fire were to occur.

Start Close to Your House

When we think about wildfire, we tend to picture a huge wall of flames moving across the countryside. But protecting your home starts much closer to the house.

Take a look around your porch, deck, garage and other structures. Dry leaves, dead grass, pine needles, small branches and other debris can accumulate without us giving them much thought.

Cleaning up these materials reduces some of the fuel available to a fire.

Don’t forget to look under porches and decks, around fences and beside storage buildings. These are easy places for leaves and other dry material to collect.

Take a Look at Your Gutters

Gutters are another place we don’t always think about.

Leaves and debris that have been sitting in a gutter for weeks can become extremely dry during a Central Texas summer. If your gutters are accessible and can be cleaned safely, keeping them free of accumulated debris is another simple step you can take around your home.

If reaching your gutters requires climbing or working from an unsafe position, however, it’s better to get some help than risk a fall.

Be Extra Careful With Mowers and Outdoor Equipment

Something as ordinary as mowing deserves a little more thought when everything is extremely dry.

Mowers, tractors, chains dragging from trailers, power tools and other equipment can potentially create heat or sparks. The National Weather Service has warned that under current dry conditions, a fire that starts can spread rapidly and become difficult to control.

If the grass and vegetation are extremely dry, consider whether an outdoor job really needs to be done right then.

Sometimes the safest home-maintenance decision is simply to wait for better conditions.

Move Combustible Materials Away From Buildings

Take a look at what you have stored against the house, garage or other buildings.

Firewood, cardboard boxes, dead vegetation and other combustible materials don’t need to be sitting directly against a structure.

You don’t have to completely reorganize your property, but creating some separation between easily burned materials and your home can help reduce unnecessary risk.

The Texas A&M Forest Service provides specific resources to help homeowners evaluate wildfire risks around their homes and prepare their properties.

Make Sure You Can Find Your Garden Hoses

This may sound almost too simple, but make sure your outdoor hoses are connected, usable and easy to reach.

This doesn’t mean you should attempt to fight a wildfire yourself. If you see a wildfire, get to a safe location and call 911. The Texas A&M Forest Service specifically advises people not to approach a wildfire in an attempt to put it out themselves.

Having working outdoor water sources is simply part of keeping your property prepared and maintained.

Have a Plan Before You Need One

Wildfires can move surprisingly fast.

The massive Ross Fire burning in Palo Pinto and Jack counties this week is a sobering example. The fire grew from a small reported fire to tens of thousands of acres, damaging property and forcing evacuations.

You don’t have to live next door to that fire for there to be a lesson in it.

Think about what you would do if a wildfire threatened your own neighborhood. Know how you would leave your property and where you would go. Keep important medications, identification and other necessities somewhere you can access quickly.

And if you have an elderly family member or neighbor living nearby, include them in your plans.

Would they be able to leave quickly on their own? Would someone need to pick them up? Do they have medications or mobility equipment that would need to go with them?

Those questions are much easier to answer before an emergency begins.

Protecting Our Homes Means Paying Attention

At Driscoll Home Services, we spend a lot of time working in and around homes throughout West Milam County and the surrounding Central Texas area. One thing we’ve learned is that many serious household problems start as something small that was easy to overlook.

Wildfire preparation isn’t about becoming frightened every time the weather turns hot and dry. It’s about paying attention.

Clean up the dry leaves. Check the gutters. Move combustible materials away from the house. Be careful with outdoor equipment. Know where your pets are. Check on elderly neighbors and family members. And have an idea of what you’ll do if conditions suddenly change.

None of these things takes away the wildfire risk completely.

But when Central Texas is this hot and dry, a little preparation today may make a very big difference tomorrow.

The hot, dry days of a Central Texas summer can quickly turn ordinary grass, brush, and other vegetation into a fire hazard. With the Milam County burn ban in effect, this is a good time for all of us to take a closer look around our homes and properties and think about some simple ways we can reduce the risk of fire.

Recent conditions across the Brazos Valley have included high temperatures, dry vegetation, and periods of wind that can allow a small spark to become a much larger problem. Milam County is among the counties that have been under burn restrictions during these dry conditions.

What the Milam County Burn Ban Means

While a burn ban is in effect, residents need to follow the current restrictions on outdoor burning. Conditions and restrictions can change, so it is always a good idea to check with Texas A&M Forest Service for the latest information before doing any outdoor burning.

The important thing to remember is that a fire doesn’t necessarily have to start with someone intentionally burning a brush pile. When the ground and vegetation are extremely dry, sparks and heat from everyday outdoor activities can sometimes start a fire.

Take a Walk Around Your Property

One of the simplest things you can do is walk around your home and look for areas where dry material has accumulated.

Dry leaves, dead grass, fallen branches, brush, and other debris can provide fuel for a fire. Pay particular attention to material that has accumulated close to the house, garage, storage buildings, fences, porches, or decks.

Keeping the area around your home maintained doesn’t eliminate the possibility of a fire, but removing unnecessary dry material can reduce potential fuel around your property.

Be Careful With Outdoor Equipment

Outdoor equipment also deserves some extra attention during extremely dry weather.

Lawn equipment, power tools, vehicles, trailers, and other machinery can sometimes produce heat or sparks. KBTX reported that residents were being urged to use extreme caution with equipment capable of producing sparks during the area’s elevated fire danger.

It’s also important to avoid parking a hot vehicle over tall, dry grass. Something that seems harmless under normal conditions deserves a little more thought when weeks of hot weather have left vegetation extremely dry.

Don’t Forget the Little Things

Fire prevention often comes down to paying attention to small things.

Keep dry leaves and debris away from buildings. Pick up fallen limbs and brush when practical. Be careful with anything outdoors that produces heat or sparks. Make sure cigarettes and other smoking materials are completely extinguished and properly disposed of.

And, of course, follow all local burn-ban restrictions.

These aren’t complicated precautions, but during a period of high fire danger, a little extra care can make a big difference.

Central Texas Dry Weather Requires Extra Caution

Living in Central Texas means dealing with periods of extreme heat and very little rain. Recent forecasts have continued to point toward hot and dry conditions in the region, making fire awareness particularly important.

At Driscoll Home Services, we spend a lot of time working in and around people’s homes and properties throughout West Milam County and the surrounding area. We believe taking care of a home isn’t only about fixing something after it breaks or cleaning something after it gets dirty. Sometimes it is simply noticing a potential problem and taking care of it before it becomes a much bigger one.

The Milam County burn ban is a good reminder for all of us to look around our properties, clean up what we can, be careful with outdoor activities, and do our part to help protect our homes and our neighbors.

Burn-ban conditions and restrictions can change. Always check current Milam County information and follow instructions from local authorities before conducting any outdoor burning.