FRONT-PORCH GOSPEL: You can’t afford a bad day!

  Welcome to the “Front-Porch.” Every year at this time, I think about the high school seniors who are about to embark on a world unlike any they’ve seen before. I always seem to have a hundred tips I want to offer. Here’s one: Listen, ladies and gentlemen! – You can’t afford a bad day!

OUT TO PASTOR: Soap isn’t always soap

  After several months of mayhem in our house, things began to quiet down. It was beginning to get back to our normal way of life. Of course, because of the mayhem, many things that needed to be done did not get done.

EYES ON ELLIS COUNTY (May 21, 2026)

  CEDAR HILL Cedar Hills Farmer’s Market opens May 9 until October from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the 2nd and 4th Saturday of the month in historic Downtown on Cedar Street between Houston and Main Street.

FERRIS PUBLIC LIBRARY: More than Books (May 21, 2026)

  As summer travel season begins, don’t forget that May 22 is National Road Trip Day! Whether you’re heading across the state or across the country, the Ferris Public Library has you covered. Before you hit the road, download the Libby and hoopla apps.

LOCAL STUDENT UPDATE (May 21, 2026)

Justin Cuellar from Waxahachie was named to the MidAmerica Nazarene University’s Dean’s List for the spring 2026 semester. Elizabeth Penkert, also from Waxahachie, was named to MidAmerica Nazarene University’s Honor Roll for the spring 2026 semester.

WAXAHACHIE ARRESTS (May 10 – 16)

Smith, Theodore, 28, warrant other agency. Monsivais, Carlos, 30, DWI. Carey, Nicole, 46, DWI. Stowe, Terron, 39, card or debit card abuse. Huskins, Phillip, 44, warrant other agency. Bryant, Michael, 53, indecent exposure. Kozak, Raymond, 44, poss CS pg 1 <1g.

WILMER ARRESTS (May 10 – 17)

Littles, Godsent, 19, poss marij <2oz, unl carrying weapon, warrant arrest other agency. Walker, Christopher, 50, harassment. Burrell, Alexus, 21, poss marij <2oz. Herrada-Salcedo, Jaime, 43, driving while intoxicated Camp, David, 24, poss marij <2oz, poss marij <2oz.

LEGAL NOTICE: Citation by publication to all persons interested in the estate of Kenneth Ray Jackson, deceased

Published one time in The Ellis County Press on Thursday, May 21, 2026.

PUBLIC NOTICE: City of Ovilla Ordinance NO. 051126-A

Published one time in The Ellis County Press on Thursday, May 21, 2026. CITY OF OVILLA ORDINANCE NO.

PUBLIC NOTICE: City of Ovilla Ordinance No. 051126-B

Published one time in The Ellis County Press on Thursday, May 21, 2026. CITY OF OVILLA ORDINANCE NO. 051126-B AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF OVILLA, TEXAS, AMENDING ORDINANCE NO.