As we get ready to celebrate Independence Day, many are planning to attend fireworks displays or host a backyard picnic. The American Red Cross offers these tips so you can enjoy a fun-packed, safe holiday.

Just 28 months ago, a record-setting winter storm held Texas in its icy grasp and temperatures plunged below zero across Schleicher County. That was February of 2021. Now comes the heat wave of 2023 and oppressive heat and humidity have settled across the Lone Star State.

Texas remains home to a number of hanging trees, iconic symbols of frontier justice. Some were used often, others only once, but each find themselves woven into the rich tapestry of Texas history.

An area along the boundary between Schleicher and Sutton Counties is poised to become the focal point of a new energy revolution in West Texas – the extraction of hydrogen from water in a facility currently being called the Big Trail Project.

Jared Austin Strait, 25, of Ithaca, New York, died Friday, June 9, 2023, when the van in which he was riding left the roadway and struck a mesquite tree some nine miles west of Eldorado on U.S. 190.

The Schleicher County ISD board of trustees met Monday evening, June 12th and welcomed four new members to the district’s leadership team. Jon-Michael Parker and Cory Stevens took the oath of office and joined the Schleicher County ISD board of trustees. SCISD Superintendent Oscar Aguero and Assistant Superintendent Sharon Spinks were also in attendance for the meeting.

Michael Ballew took the oath of office and joined the Eldorado City Council on Monday, June, 12th after winning election on May 6th. He was joined by council member Oscar Martinez in bringing up the subject of local residents driving around town in golf carts.

Schleicher County was represented extremely well at the annual Texas State 4-H Roundup in College Station last week.

The Schleicher County Public Library (SCPL) has been awarded a $25,000 grant from the San Angelo Area Foundation to assist in the building renovations/equipment, furnishings, and security / technology equipment for the proposed new Public Library at the Eldorado Service Center (ESC).

Former Eldorado Elementary School music teacher, Joella Parker was presented a plaque in appreciation of her 44 years of service to Schleicher County ISD on behalf of the Eagle Band Boosters and SCISD at the Eldorado band spring concert on May 16.

The Eldorado-Divide Soil & Water Conservation District and the Natural Resources Conservation Service Field Office is proud to welcome Caitlyn McIntosh as the new District Conservationist.

Thirty-three Eldorado High School graduates received their diplomas on Friday evening, May 26th, at Larry Mitchell Stadium, as an audience of friends, family, and well-wishers looked on.

A crowd of about 60 people gathered Monday morning, May 29th, at the Eldorado Cemetery to pay tribute to Schleicher County’s war dead as part of the annual Memorial Day observance.

EHS musicians continued to rack up the wins at the UIL Texas State Solo & Ensemble Contest on Monday, May 29 at Hendrickson High School in Pflugerville ISD.

The 2023 Eldorado Middle School Academic Awards presentation was divided into two programs featuring 5th and 6th grades together, followed by the 7th and 8th grade classes. Both programs where held in the Eldorado High School Auditorium Thursday, May 25, 2023.

The Eldorado High School UIL science team won the Conference 2A State Championship at the UIL State Academic Meet on Wednesday, May 17th in Austin. The team, consisting of (L-R) Jaqueline Cortez, Isaiah Seymore, Ricky Romo and Raul Iglesias, placed first with a total score of 232. That compares to Lindsay High School’s score of 164 and Shiner’s 152. Seymore was the fourth high individual, Iglesias was seventh, Romo was 10th and Cortez was 21st. The EHS science team is coached by Lindsay Parker and Hilary Choate. -- KATHY MANKIN | THE ELDORADO SUCCESS

The 2023 Eldorado Elementary Awards Program was held Monday, May 22nd in the High School Auditorium with friends and family members in attendance. Dash Rudewick led the Pledge of Allegiance to American flag and Elijah Bustos led the Pledge to the Texas flag.

The Eldorado High School 2023 Spring Band Concert was held Thursday, May 18th, in the EHS auditorium

Jacqueline Cortez is the Valedictorian of the Eldorado High School Class of 2023, according to a statement released by the school on Monday. Cortez completed her four years at EHS with a 100.8367 grade point average. Celeste Milette Hernandez is the class Salutatorian. She finishes her high school career with a 100.3392 grade point average.

The EHS 2023 Athletic Awards Banquet was held on Monday evening, May 15th, in the Eagle Gym. Athletic Director Chad Tutle emceed the event, which is hosted each year by the Eldorado Eagles Athletic Booster Club.