ALMA
The Alma Smokehouse has recently began selling books so stop in have a good meal and find a good read.
BARDWELL
The City of Bardwell will hold a meeting at 6 p.m. on Sept. 8 at 5746 Planter Gin Road regarding a small taxing unit notice.
CEDAR HILL
The City of Cedar Hill announced that Go Ape Adventure Park is moving forward with plans to establish a new location in Cedar Hill’s Midtown district, bringing a nationally recognized adventure experience to the city’s lineup of outdoor attractions. The news follows a vote of approval by the Cedar Hill City Council during its Tuesday, Aug. 25 meeting.
ENNIS
The Ennis City Commission published formal notice regarding its proposed property tax rate of $0.668238 per $100 valuation. The administration is directing residents to review the structural priorities ahead of the formal city public hearing scheduled for Sept. 8.
FERRIS
According to updated state regulatory report, the State Board for Educator Certification officially finalized severe professional sanctions against multiple Texas teachers. Included in the permanent credential revocations was former Ferris ISD teacher George McAllister, following criminal charges brought against him late last year.
GARRETT
Local emergency crews responded to a fast-moving grass fire that broke out in the 1200 Block of Boyce Road on the outskirts of the Garrett area. The fire quickly consumed more than two acres of land and heavy tree brush, prompting responding units to call in mutual aid from Ellis County Emergency Services District (ESD) 6 to fully contain the flames.
GRAND PRAIRIE
The Grand Prairie Fire Department battled a massive one-alarm fire at a Warehouse parking lot in the 1200 Block of East Avenue J. The fire was fueled by extreme heat and dry conditions and was initially reported as a grass fire that spread to a commercial vehicle lot. The fire completely charred at least 30 vehicles with no structures compromised, and no injuries reported.
GLENN HEIGHTS
City administrators greenlit an application to secure up to $21 million in outside funding through the Texas Water Development Board. The 100% grant-funded request requires no local matching tax dollars. The capital will fund new water line extensions, pump station expansions, and storage tank rehabilitation to sustain the city’s incoming residential pipeline.
ITALY
The Italy City Council will hold formal hearings open to public comment on September 14 at City Hall regarding a new proposed voluntary municipal annexation alongside a zoning request to convert a six-acre land tract into a designated Residential Estate District.
MANSFIELD
Two firefighters were hospitalized in Mansfield after battling a large RV and brush fire on Jessica Lane. Crews worked for seven hours in extreme heat before getting the fire under control.
MAYPEARL
The Maypearl community honored the return of WWII POW Corporal William I. Berrier, an Ellis County native. After 83 years, his remains were returned home and interred at Maypearl Cemetery.
MIDLOTHIAN
Midlothian fire crews contained a half-acre fire at the Gerdau Midlothian Steel Mill located at 300 Ward Road last week. The blaze ignited a large pile of scrap metals and multiple surrounding fire departments – including Mansfield, Grand Prairie, and Alvarado – assisted Midlothian crews in containing the blaze.
MILFORD
The Milford City Council issued an Service Proclamation celebrating Sergeant Paul Lane. The award honors his commitment to public safety and 25 years of faithful service to the Milford community.
OAK LEAF
The Oak Leaf City Council has proposed a tax rate of $0.300012 per $100 valuation, which exceeds the no-new-revenue tax rate of $0.273578. A public hearing is being scheduled to allow residents to voice feedback before final adoption.
OVILLA
Ovilla announced its next public Comprehensive Plan Town Hall meeting scheduled for Tuesday, September 29 at the Vertical Church. The $300,000 grant-funded long-range initiative allows residents to provide input on local land use, parks, and downtown heritage planning.
PALMER
The Palmer ISD Board of Trustees officially adopted a new tax rate on August 19 to support maintenance and operations for the 2026–2027 school year. The new rate is projected to raise overall property tax revenue by 2.74 percent compared to last year.
PECAN HILL
According to the latest Texas Comptroller monthly city sales tax allocation report released on Aug. 12, local commercial shifts have impacted Pecan Hill’s small economy, with annual sales tax revenue dropping 55% year-over-year to a total of $54,000 reported by MyTownView. Pecan Hill relies heavily on its residential property tax base to offset the decline.
RED OAK
Red Oak ISD campuses kicked off its Safety Week ’26 on August 31. The initiative highlights new facility camera upgrades and stricter campus access protocols to boost student protection.
VENUS
Venus ISD announced the official acceptance of its 2026 Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA) Cohort Application on August 17. The program will provide outstanding local educators with an additional $3,000 to over $32,000 annually in direct state funding.
WAXAHACHIE
The Waxahachie City Council officially approved a Chapter 380 economic development incentive package with Roadhouse Enterprises on August 17. The agreement clears the path for construction of a new Texas Roadhouse restaurant location within city limits.
In addition to 19 cities/towns in Ellis County (five of which straddle two counties that include Ellis), there are also 18 unincorporated towns; Alsdorf, Auburn, Avalon, Boz, Bristol, Britton, Crisp, Five Points, Forreston, Ike, India, Ozro, Rankin, Reagor Springs, Rockett, Sardis, Telico and Trumbull.
If you have news briefs for any of these cities/towns (resident, business or city) please send to rcook13@earthlink.net so we can share the news.