LEGAL NOTICE: Citation by publication to all persons interested in the estate of Reathia Lynetta Seymore, deceased

Publish one time in The Ellis County Press on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026.

LEGAL NOTICE: Notice to creditors for the estate of John Lee McMath, deceased

Publish one time in The Ellis County Press on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026.NOTICE TO CREDITORSNotice is hereby given that original Letters Testamentary for the Estate of JOHN LEE MCMATH, Deceased, were issued on December 16, 2025, in Cause No.

LEGAL NOTICE: Notice to creditors for the estate of Calvin Lewis Phillips, deceased

Publish one time in The Ellis County Press on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026.NOTICE TO CREDITORSNotice is hereby given that original Letters Testamentary for the Estate of Calvin Lewis Phillips, Deceased, were issued on January 12, 2026, in Cause No. 25-E-2361, pending in the County Court at Law No.

QUESTION AND ANSWER: Local Ellis County GOP candidates in March Primary

 U.S. 6TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTQuestion: Your thoughts on term limits, lobbyists, fiscal responsibility, kill switches and representing and voting the voice the constituents?Jake Ellzey (I)(Did not respond)James BufordThe time for “business as usual politics” is over.

No official confirmation on Hutchins ICE detention center

 HUTCHINS – The City of Hutchins saw protests last week due to the possibility of a one-million-sq.-ft. warehouse being converted to a detention center there.The Washington Post released the story – and the ICE detention center in Hutchins gained momentum.

EYES ON ELLIS COUNTY (February 12, 2026)

 BARDWELLBardwell is considering Freeman-Milligan for the city’s engineering firm. CEDAR HILLFormer Assistant Fire Chief Mike Harrison was recently promoted to Fire Chief after 28 years of service with the city. GARRETTGarrett City Council meetings are the third Thursday of every month at 5:30 p.m.

REPUBLICAN AND DEMOCRATIC JOINT PRIMARY ELECTIONS: Vote Center Locations

 Notice is hereby given that the Vote Centers listed below will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on March 3, 2026. All eligible registered voters in Ellis County, Texas, may vote at any of the Election Day Vote Centers listed below. First Baptist Church-Avalon (Annex)206 Giles St.

Italy Detective steps in as interim police chief

 ITALY – Several months ago, the Italy City Council unanimously voted to terminate Scott McAuley, the city’s police chief.No interim was named to replace McAuley at that time.

FRONT-PORCH GOSPEL: Torn up over a box of chocolates

 Welcome to the “Front-Porch.”It was in the fall of 1997 that we had a life-changing moment – one of many, many obviously.We were blessed with the opportunity to write for our hometown newspaper, the LaGrange Daily News.

OUT TO PASTOR: Punxsutawney Phil is no politician, or is he?

 Growing up in Pennsylvania, one of my yearly attractions was Punxsutawney Phil.According to the legend, Punxsutawney Phil could predict the future. If he sees his shadow and returns to his hole, it means he has predicted six more weeks of winter-like weather.