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– Midweek Edition – VOLUME 174 • ISSUE 97 | $1.00
mtdemocrat.com
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2025
ALL IS BR IGHT
Mountain Democrat file photos
Bill Schultz retired from county government in 2018 but continued to stay active in the community until his death on Nov. 28. The Navy veteran worked tirelessly to support veterans programs and fellow veterans.
County leader, veterans champion William ‘Bill’ Schultz remembered Noel Stack Editor
Former El Dorado County Recorder-Clerk William “Bill” Schultz died Nov. 28 at age 92. “He died very peacefully,” widow Mary Ann Kirk told the Mountain Democrat Monday. They had been married for 30 years. She shared that Schultz suffered a stroke on Nov. 26 and passed mid-morning Friday at a Roseville hospital. Schultz was a mainstay in El Dorado County government, serving as recorder-clerk, head of the Navy veteran Bill Schulz stands as members Elections Department and head of of each branch of the armed forces are recognized at the 2025 Veterans Day event ■ See SCHULTZ, page A9 at the El Dorado County Veterans Monument.
A couple embraces in front of the glowing downtown Placerville Christmas tree and Belltower, above, at Friday night’s Hometown Holiday On Main event, during which families and friends gathered to enjoy a community tradition. At right, Charly Rodrigues, 4, of Caldwell, Idaho, left, chats with Mrs. Claus before her photo at the IOOF Hall. Meeting the Clauses was one of the many fun activities at Hometown Holiday on Main.
Mountain Democrat photos by Shelly Thorene
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As El Dorado County Recorder-Clerk, Bill Schultz officiated numerous weddings over the years, celebrating with couples on one of the happiest days of their lives.
■ SEE MORE PHOTOS FROM THE EVENT ON A3
IT’S TREE TIME!
Local Christmas tree farms host a family tradition Shelly Thorene Staff writer
I
t was bumper to bumper traffic on Carson Road Friday as families from all over trekked to area Christmas tree farms to choose their holiday tree. Warm weather and sunny skies allowed kids to run around in short sleeves through the groves while families looked for the perfect tree. At Hillside Tree Farm in Camino shouts of “Cutter!” could be heard through the trees and workers with pole saws responded. The family chooses where on the trunk to make the cut and anyone could try their hand at tree felling. By the way, it’s harder than it looks. According to Apple Hill Growers, Christmas tree season
Mountain Democrat photo by Shelly Thorene
While some families spend the day after Thanksgiving shopping for the best doorbuster deals, others head to El Dorado County to select the perfect Christmas tree for ■ See TREE TIME, page A3 their home. Above, people check out the offerings at Hillside Tree Farm in Camino.
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