This year’s Texas theme was “Unearth a Story” and our library added a subtitle, “God Bless America: Celebrating our 250th Birthday!”

Gifted pianist, Roy Don Rodgers, started each day with a different patriotic song and explained a little about the song and the songwriter. This was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and the reading of a patriotic book. Bella Jackson led “The Days of Creation” song (which I should know by churches “Unearthed a Story” from the Bible.

Appreciation goes to Ranger’s Church of God (Story of Creation), First United Pentecostal (“Let -

Seed).

Hope Baptist (The Story of the Sower and the Additional appreciation is due to Freddy Wiesen and Wiesen’s Garage for paying for TEN new patriotic books for our library; Dollar General and their awesome manag-

er Tripp (that’s a quote!) for supplying popsicles; Ranger’s Dairy Queen for Ice Cream Sundae seatta Stephens for treats and prizes; Jace Hughes and Hughes Dirt Service for another generous donation; Library Volunteer Olivia Lowrance for digital advertising (check out Eastland County Today for print AND internet publicity and promotions.

A GREAT BIG

Me Tell You About Je sus”), Harmony Baptist our new website!); and (Story of Noah), and New “THANK YOU” to Re gina Watkins for partnering up for a fun week for children of all ages! You know, you’re always a child to your parents and we are ALL “Children of God”.

May God bless America! Happy Birthday to the USA!

Ranger Independent School District has announced that they will be offering Ranger ISD students Grades 6 - 12.

Students will still be able to participate in extra-curricular and CTE activities RISD is now taking applications for the 2026-2027 school year. For more information call 254-647-1187 to speak to Superintendent Bobby Jo Wilhelm.

and courses, such as athletics, fine arts and FFA Leadership. “Your place, your space: Connected Learners, Limitless Futures!”

Robert Butler stepped down from the position of mayor to enjoy retirement.

The meeting is from 10:30 to 12 noon.

We will meet at the Vietnam Memorial Park in Ranger if the weather permits.

If the weather is bad we will meet at the Veterans Bldg, next to the Ranger Library.

A counselor from the Taylor Co.Vet Center will conduct this meeting. Larry Monroe - Group Founder - 254-631-9226

The Ranger Veterans Support Group will meet Tuesday July 28.

The meeting is from 10:30 to 12 noon.

We will meet at the Vietnam Memorial Park in Ranger if weather permits.

If not we will meet at the Veterans Bldg, next to the Ranger Library.

A counselor from the Taylor Co.Vet Center will conduct this meeting.

Larry Monroe - Group Founder - 254-631-9226

nounced that they will be offering “Virtual Pathway, a flexible, high-quality tuition-free virtual learning option for Ranger ISD students Grades 6 - 1 2 .

Students will still be able to participate in extra- curricular and CTE activities and courses, such as athletics, fine arts and FFA Leadership.

RISD is now taking applications for the 2026 For more information call 254-647-1187 to speak to Superintendent Bobby Jo Wilhelm.

“Your place, your space: Connected Learners, Limitless Futures!”

Roy Don Rodgers will begin Monday’s program the Pledge of Allegiance and a patriotic story. Then a different church will “Unearth a Story” each day from our oldest book - the Bible.

Monday - the Church of God will present “Creation” Tuesday - First United Pentecostal Church “Let Me Tell You Who Jesus Is” Wednesday - Harmony Baptist - The Story of Thursday - New Hope Baptist - “Story of the Sower and the Seed” Friday - Crosspoint Community Church - “Unearthing the Love of Jesus” Ranger’s Dairy Queen is gifting us with ice cream coupons. Dollar General’s awesome store Freddy Wiesen of Freddy’s Garage fame paid for TEN new patriotic library books! Jace Hughes of Hughes Dirt Service also donated to our “Unearth a Story” program - seems poetic, doesn’t it? (“Dirt” - “Unearth”) Small USA flags have been ordered and they are “Made in the USA”.

Plans are progressing! Reading “The Worn-Out Flag” - wouldn’t it be nice to have an American Veteran show us how to properly fold a flag? Remember the late and hilarious Polly Alexander? She LOVED “Old Glory”.

A big “Thank You” to Regina Watkins for her partnership and support. If YOU would like to contribute or learn more, please call the Ranger City Library @ 254/647-1880 or email RCL@TXOL.net And...May God Bless America! Happy Birthday to the USA!

meet Tuesday July 14th. 10:30 to 12 noon.

We will meet at the in Ranger. If weather is bad. we will meet at the Our counselor from the Taylor Co. Vet Center will conduct this meet ing.

See you there.

Larry Monroe Group Founder 254-631-9226

Eastland County is in for a week of changing weather! The week will kick off with hot and humid conditions, rising in temperature as the week goes on. There will be chances of scattered rain this week, with the highest chance of rain toward the week’s end. Thursday will be our hottest day of the week, with temperatures expected to soar to 98 degrees under partly sunny skies. If you’ll be spending time outdoors, be sure to exercise caution, drink plenty of water, and take breaks in the shade. The good news is that a chance of rain Thursday night should help cool things down. Friday will feel much more comfortable, with mostly cloudy skies and temperatures settling back into the mid-80s. The weekend turns warmer once again, with partly cloudy, humid conditions and highs returning to the low 90s. Looking ahead to next week, the forecast points toward mostly sunny skies and hot temperatures across the County.

The meeting is from 10:30 to 12 noon. We will meet at the Vietnam Memorial Park in Ranger if the weather permits.

If the weather is bad we will meet at the Veterans Bldg, next to the Ranger Library. A counselor from the Taylor Co. Vet Center will conduct this meeting.

Larry Monroe Group Founder 254-631-9226

Among many other duties, Chief Rodriguez spoke about several measures being taken to increase community safety.

These includes working with RISD by showing more presence on campus and making sure the students get to school safely and working more with Ranger College regarding safety. Ranger PD is also involved with city code enforcement. Cleaning up the town helps protect the community from health and safety issues, he emphasized.

Chief Rodriguez was asked about ‘police quotas’

(police ticket and arrest quotas - mandatory numbers of citations an period). He assured that police quotas are illegal and not used by Ranger PD.

In closing, Chief Rodriguez reminded of the importance of reporting a possible crime to law enforcement: “ If you see something, Say Something.”

This exciting three-day event will feature something for everyone, including adoption events, local vendors, live music, food, and activities for kids, all weekend long all while supporting a great cause for local animals in need.

One of the biggest highlights of the weekend will be the Classic Car & Truck Show on Saturday, June 13, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Car enthusiasts are encouraged to bring out their classic rides and be part of the show.

Also taking place June 13 is the crowd-favorite “Princess & Paws” Beauty Pageant, welcoming contestants of all ages and pet types for a fun-filled competition celebrating personality, style, and the special bond between pets and their owners.

Conveniently located right off Main Street in Ranger, Cause for Paws promises a weekend full of excitement, community connection, and family- friendly entertainment.

Bring the whole family, support local animals, and make memories at Cause for Paws June 12– 14!

If the weather is bad we will meet at the Veterans Bldg. next to the Ranger Library. A counselor from the Taylor Co. Vet Center will conduct this meeting.

Larry Monroe - Group Founder - 254-631-9226

HOBBS, NM — May 14–16, 2026 — Ranger cluded an outstanding outdoor season at the NJCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships, highlighted by a national championship, multiple es, and 12 All-American honors. Competing in Hobbs, the Rangers combined to place 15th nationally among junior college

programs. Modingwane Wins National Title Freshman Amantle Modingwane headlined the championship meet by winning the Men’s 1,500 Meters National Championship, crossing the line in 4:01.63 to earn the title of NJCAA National Champion. Modingwane Runner-Up in the Men’s 5,000 Meters with a time of 14:57.04, while placing 5th nationally in the Men’s 10,000 Meters (31:35.03) to complete a dominant weekend.

Nakito Earns Two National

Runner-Up Finishes On the women’s side, Elizabeth Nakito delivered another standout national performance, earning National Runner- Up honors in both the Women’s 5,000 Meters (18:06.08) and Women’s 10,000 Meters (36:53.43). Nakito also placed 8th nationally in the Women’s 1,500 Meters with a time of 4:44.49.

Additional National Standouts Ranger athletes posted several top-eight national pionship meet: Kannon Williams — 3rd in the Men’s Triple Jump (15.65m / 51’4.25”) Ranger Men’s 4x800 Relay Team (Khanya Yali, Joseph Simon, Zachary Roome, and Amantle Modingwane) — 5th nationally (7:30.42) Christiana Boyd — 7th in the Women’s 100 Meters (11.37) Landon Bradley — 8th in the Men’s 400 Hurdles (52.33) Alfrenique Knowles — 8th in the Women’s 800 Meters (2:27.01)

Ranger Women’s 4x100 Relay Team (Ki’Sha Tyner, Chastity Rayford, Apryl Adderly, and Christiana Boyd) — 8th nationally (46.81) Apryl Adderly placed 19th nationally in the Women’s Triple Jump with a mark of 11.65 meters (38’2.75”).

Multiple Rangers Earn All-American ished the national championships with 12 athletes earning NJCAA

All-Americans: Elizabeth Nakito, Alfrenique Knowles, Christiana Boyd, Apryl Adderly, Chastity Rayford, Ki’Sha Tyner, Amantle Modingwane, Zachary Roome, Khanya Yali, Joseph Simon, Kannon Williams, and Landon Bradley.

The championship meet capped an impressive season for Ranger showcasing the Rangers’ strength across distance, sprints, relays, hurdles, tional stage.

- Corey Blais College track & field,

whole Community. The Ranger Beautification

Committee would like to thank all of those that helped us accomplish this, Derrick Project.

They are: the Ranger Economic Development Corporation and the Ranger City Commission for approving the funding for this project.

We would like to thank Ken, Brock and Troyce Charman, James Logan, Carolyn Logan, Trace Reichardt, Chuck Lemaster and Steve Gerdes for their generous donations of their time and other resources.

We would also like to thank Tindall’s Hardware, Sherwin Williams Paint and 5 Star Coatings for their generous concessions.

With our warmest regards, Ranger Beautification Committee: Vicki Gerdes, Gail Hughes, Carolyn Libby, Traci McCarty, Jennifer Reichardt and Miranda Elam.

Please join us if you would like to help. Larry Monroe - 254-631-9226

scared, be prepared!

All donations are great ly appreciated. Donations may be made at the church office at 1109 Blackwell Road Monday-Thursday from 9:00-3:00.

There is also a dona tion box for this fundraiser in St.Rita’s church where Sunday mornings.

For more information you may call the church office at 254 647-3163 . Or you may call 254 6290444 and leave a mes sage.

Recent records show REDC posted a hearing notice for a mural project and was already accepting bids, yet the public was told very little beyond a newspaper notice and a City Hall bulletin board posting. At the April 13 council meeting, REDC leadership spoke generally about projects, but did not clearly tell the public that a hearing was coming just two days later.

That is not transparency. That is keeping the public in the dark.

REDC should not act like a private club. It spends public funds and should operate in full view of the public. If a mural project is lawful, worthwhile, and properly authorized, then REDC should plainly explain the legal basis, the timeline, the bidding, and when action will be taken.

Instead, citizens are left to chase scattered notices and vague statements.

That needs to change. REDC should immediately create a public website and post all agendas, hearing notices, bid requests, project descriptions, and public notices there. Its meetings and hearings should be livestreamed and archived. REDC representatives should also be upfront at council meetings about pending projects, hearings, and spending plans instead of speaking in generalities.

The people of Ranger deserve more than technical compliance and last-minute notice. They deserve openness, clarity, and honesty.

Until REDC starts acting like a transparent public body, the public has every reason to question what it is trying to keep out of view.

Kevan Moize Residence: Range

This event is Family Friendly and Community Members are Welcome.

A counselor from the Taylor County Vet Center will conduct this meeting.

See you there. Larry Monroe Group Founder 254-631-9226

(Photo: Sheila Hickox)

Master of Ceremonies and TWTH CO-Chair John Stanton introduced those who attended the In Memory Ceremony are a part of this exhibit.

“The In Memory honor

Saturday, included family members whose veterans ees recognized during the ceremony were compiled from the Vietnam Veterically only the current year’s honorees are included, we were proud to

ans Memorial Fund’s In Memory list. While typ expand the list to include veterans from across our surrounding communities so their legacies could be honored together.

Honorees: Joe Willard Edwards, Ranger Duane Frederick “Buck” Schlumbohm, Ranger Robert Bishop, Sweetwater Frederic Earl Mitchell,

Ranger

Gerald Ray Cozart,

Ranger Clifton Boyd Steddum, Eastland William Castleberry, John Wright, Abilene

Mineral Wells

Abilene

Terry Stanfield, Abilene Robert McClure, Michael McDougal, Mineral Wells

David Hale, Brownwood

Gerald Carnahan, Abilene

- Charles Massie, Mans field

Wayne Chesser, Brownwood

William Ralph, Mineral

Wells

eral Wells

Charles Stuzman, Min Robert Green, Moran William Eubanks, Min -

eral Wells We are grateful to have been able to stand together as a community to remember, honor, and ensure these names and stories continue to live on.”

ry Monroe from Ranger made at an In Memorial which Texas veterans who

served and returned from Vietnam and have since passed, were also honored. recognized was Autry Andress from DeLeon,

“The first veteran Texas. With a passion for flying, Autry served in from 1962 to 1967 as Saufley (SAW-flee) Field the United States Navy a naval aviator.Autry’s basic training began at near Pensacola, Florida and after 4 months of received his commission at the Pensacola Naval Air Station. It was at

pre-flight schooling, he Saufley (SAW-flee) Field that he learned to fly the T-34 training aircraft, at Saufley (SAW-flee) to Whiting Field in Mil

After his training time Field, Autry moved on ton, Florida learning to a more advanced aircraft and similar to the World

fly the T-28 which was War II fighters. The T-28 was the first aircraft that mation flying, gunnery

was used to train in for-

qualifications.

techniques and carrier After training at Whiting Field, Autry was stationed in New Iberia, Louisiana where he trained on the S-2F twin engine aircraft. Toward the end of his advanced training in New Iberia, Autry achieved yet another carrier landing qualification on the USS Lexington.

His first and longest

Autry then received orders to the Naval Air Station in Norfolk, Virginia where his squadron, the Airborne Early Warning Squadron Twelve, was located. This particular squadron had 4 plane detachments on each east coast carrier. deployment was on the USS Forrestal to the ment was on the USS Randolph to the North Sea tracking Russian submarines. Other carrier deployments included the USS Independence, the USS Wasp and the The second veteran that we honored was Lar- Mediterranean Sea for 9 months. His next deploy USS Essex.

ry Monroe of Ranger, Texas.

Larry served in the United States Army as well as the Army Nation- al Guard/Reservists from 1966 to 1969. honored was Larry Mon roe of Ranger, Texas.

The second veteran Larry served in the United States Army as well as the Army Nation- al Guard/Reservists from 1966 to 1969.

Larry attended basic training at Fort Bliss AIT and Aberdeen Prov- -

ing Ground in Maryland. In 1966, Larry served in Aschaffenberg, Germany in the 3rd Infantry Divi sion. In 1967-1968, he was a member of the 86th Gen supported the 1st Cavalry Larry explained to me that

eral Support Battalion and at An Khe, Vietnam and Cha Rang Valley, Vietnam. his involvement in the Cha Rang Valley was in the recovery and evacuation of trucks and tanks that had been blown up.

Larry’s contributions to the veteran community in Ranger represent a cal advocacy and service coordination. His work illustrates how individual leadership can bridge the gap between national resources, such as the VA

significant model of lo and the specific needs of a

rural population.

Larry continues to demonstrate the profound difference one individual can make in the quality of life and health for those who have served.”