The Ellis County Press

ELLIS COUNTY ARRESTS (January 6 – 12)

Ellis123

Wed, 01/14/2026 - 13:22

Lee, Timothy, 48, burglary of vehicle w/2+ convictions.Moreno, Brandon, 29, poss CS pg 2 <1g, poss marij <2oz.Whitehead, Roderick, 21, injury child/elderly/disabled w/int bodily injury Felony 3.Fuentes, Atziry, 37, burglary of vehicles.

WAXAHACHIE ARRESTS (January 4 – 10)

Ellis123

Wed, 01/14/2026 - 13:19

Flores, Estevan, 22, warrant other agency.Antonio, Edwardo, 32, DWI 3rd or more.Gabino, Santos, 37, warrant other agency.Sorea-Gonzales, Juan, 22, poss CS pg 1 <1g.Quinn, Jacqueline, 31, assault causes bodily injury family member.Berna, Chance, 43, warrant arrest.

WILMER ARRESTS (January 4 – 11)

Ellis123

Wed, 01/14/2026 - 13:17

Vasquez, Elijah, 20, poss marij <2oz, unl carrying weapon, poss marij <2oz, unl carryingIrving-Smith, Angel, 23, poss marij < 2oz.Hall, Charod, 18, warrant arrest other agency.Collins, Xavien, 36, poss marij <2oz, poss marij <2oz.

Built in 1895 in Victorian style, the location was the primary residence for many families over the years. In 1984, Tom and Melissa Baker converted it into Catfish Plantation. Submitted photo.

Fire destroys former Catfish Plantation house

Ellis123

Wed, 01/14/2026 - 13:02

WAXAHACHIE – The former Catfish Plantation house that locals loved – and people from all over Texas came to visit due to rumors of ghosts – burned earlier this month after being converted into the home of Blind Pig Butcher and Specialty Market.

Alejandro Cuarenta

Burglary suspect apprehended

Ellis123

Wed, 01/14/2026 - 12:59

ELLIS COUNTY – An incident that began in Ellis County and ended in Dallas earlier this month resulted in the apprehension on Friday, Jan. 2 at approximately 2 a.m. of Alejandro Cuarenta, a 19-year-old male from Dallas.

Logo courtesy Texas Department of Transportation

TRAFFIC ALERT: Overnight traffic switch on I-35E in Red Oak starts Jan. 16

Ellis123

Wed, 01/14/2026 - 12:58

ELLIS COUNTY – Weather permitting, the following traffic impacts are scheduled as part of an ongoing improvement project:• Northbound I-35E will close and detour to the frontage road and southbound I-35E will narrow to one lane between Bear Creek Road and Red Oak Road from 9 p.m. Friday, Jan.

Lucas Cates was as healthy 6'2", 250-pound, 39-year-old man at the time he discovered he had COVID-19. Submitted photo.

Lucas Cates raising funds for a new heart

Ellis123

Wed, 01/14/2026 - 12:57

RED OAK – Back in 2020, I wrote an article about Red Oak resident Lucas Cates.He was as healthy 6'2", 250-pound, 39-year-old man at the time.That changed when Cates discovered he had COVID-19.

Photo courtesy Texas Department of Agriculture

TEXAS: Seed scam warning issued

Ellis123

Wed, 01/14/2026 - 12:57

ELLIS COUNTY – Sid Miller and the Texas Department of Agriculture are warning Texans around the state of a scam concerning unsolicited packages containing unidentified seeds.The seeds are said to continue to arrive at resident’s doorsteps and it has been happening since February 2025.

Safford was officially sworn in as the new WFR Fire Chief by former Waxahachie Fire Chief and new City Manager Ricky Boyd. Submitted photo.

Safford takes oath as Waxhachie Fire Chief

Ellis123

Wed, 01/14/2026 - 12:10

WAXAHACHIE – The City of Waxahachie announced Scott Safford as its new Chief of Waxahachie Fire-Rescue.Safford has 21 years of service to the Waxahachie community and it was noted he brings “extensive experience, leadership, and dedication to the role.

EYES ON ELLIS COUNTY (January 15, 2026)

Ellis123

Wed, 01/14/2026 - 12:10

ALMAAfter many years, the Old Alma Rd. South bridge will finally be replaced. A post requests residents to keep off the road while the bridge construction is underway. The work will begin in the next few weeks.